Giro d'Italia Live; 2007 Results, Photos and Video

Route Map | Preview | Live Coverage | Team Rosters | Stage Details and Results

  Giro d'Italia 2007 Stage Details 
1 Saturday, May 12th 25.6 km 
CapreraLa Maddalena TTT
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
2 Sunday, May 13th 205 km 
Tempio PausaniaBosa Marina  
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
3 Monday, May 14th 181 km 
Nuraghe di BaruminiCagliari
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
R Tuesday, May 15th  
Rest day
4 Wednesday, May 16th 153 km 
SalernoMontevergine di Mercogliano
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
5 Thursday, May 17th 173 km 
TeanoFrascati
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
6 Friday, May 18th 177 km 
TivoliSpoleto
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
7 Saturday, May 19th 254 km 
SpoletoScarperia del Mugello
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8 Sunday, May 20th 200 km 
Barberino di MugelloFiorano Modenese
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9 Monday, May 21st 177 km 
Reggio EmiliaLido di Camaiore
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10 Tuesday, May 22nd 250 km 
Lido di CamaioreGenova
(finishes at Santuario Nostra Signora Della Guardia)
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
11 Wednesday, May 23rd 198 km 
Serravalle ScriviaPinerolo
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
12 Thursday, May 24th 163 km 
ScalengheBriançon, FR
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
13 Friday, May 25th 12.6 km 
BiellaOropa
TT
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14 Saturday, May 26th 192 km 
Cantu'Bergamo
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
15 Sunday, May 27th 184 km 
TrentoAuronzo (Tre Cime di Lavaredo)
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
R Monday, May 28th  
Rest day
16 Tuesday, May 29th 189 km 
Agordo (Dolomite Stars)Lienz Tirol, Austria
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
17 Wednesday, May 30th 142 km 
LienzMonte Zoncolan photos, profile
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
18 Thursday, May 31st 203 km 
UdineRiese Pio X
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
19 Friday, June 1st 179 km 
TrevisoTerme di Comano
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
20 Saturday, June 2nd 43 km 
Castelnuovo del GardaVerona
TT
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
21 Sunday, June 3rd 185 km 
VestoneMilano
profile | map | timetable | results | photos | video
  Total Distance 3486 km 

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2007 Giro d'Italia Rosters (withdrawals)

The 22 teams and their rosters:
(printable version)

Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo (Ita)
  41 GARZELLI Stefano  ITA
  42 ANDRIOTTO Dario  ITA
  43 AREKEEV Alexandr  RUS 
  44 BALDUCCI Gabriele  ITA
  45 CODOL Massimo  ITA
  46 KUNITSKI Andrei  BLR
  47 MASCIARELLI Simone  ITA
  48 PALUMBO Giuseppe  ITA
  49 SAMOILAU Branislau  BLR
Astana (Swi)
  11 SAVOLDELLI Paolo  ITA
  12 GOUROV Maxim  KAZ
  13 JOACHIM Benoit  LUX
  14 BAZAYEV Assan  KAZ
  15 YAKOVLEV Serguei  KAZ 
  16 MAZZOLENI Eddy  ITA
  17 MIZOUROV Andrey  KAZ
  18 MORABITO Steve  SUI
  19 MURAVYEV Dmitriy  KAZ
Ag2r Prévoyance (Fra)
  51 NOCENTINI Rinaldo  ITA
  52 DUPONT Hubert  FRA
  53 KRIVTSOV Yuriy  UKR
  54 LOUBET Julien  FRA
  55 MANGEL Laurent  FRA
  56 MONDORY Lloyd  FRA
  57 NAIBO Carl  FRA
  58 RIBLON Christophe  FRA
  59 USAU Aliaksandr  BLR
Bouygues Telecom (Fra)
  61 BONNAIRE Olivier  FRA
  62 CROSBIE Nicolas  FRA
  63 DRANCOURT Pierre  BEL
  64 GENE Yohann  FRA
  65 LABBE Arnaud  FRA
  66 LE BOULANGER Yoann  FRA
  67 PICHOT Alexandre  FRA
  68 RENIER Franck  FRA
  69 VOECKLER Thomas  FRA
Caisse d'Epargne (Spa)
  71 ARROYO DURAN David  ESP
  72 BERTHOU Eric  FRA
  73 HORRACH RIPPOLL Joan  ESP
  74 LASTRAS GARCIA Pablo  ESP
  75 LOSADA ALGUACIL Alberto  ESP
  76 PEREZ ARRIETA Aitor  ESP
  77 ROJAS GIL Jose Joaquin  ESP
  78 MARKOV Alexei  RUS
  79 PERGET Mathieu  FRA
Ceramica Panaria-Navigare (Irl)
  81 SELLA Emanuele  ITA
  82 LAVERDE JIMENEZ Luis Felipe  COL  
  83 PEREZ CUAPIO Julio Alberto  MEX
  84 PAGOTO Andrea  ITA 
  85 POZZOVIVO Domenico  ITA
  86 BALIANI Fortunato  ITA  
  87 GRILLO Paride  ITA  
  88 MAZZANTI Luca  ITA
  81 RICHEZE Ariel Maximiliano  ARG  
Cofidis (Fra)
  91 PARRA PINTO Ivan Ramiro  COL
  92 BESSY Fr�d�ric  FRA
  93 BUFFAZ Mickael  FRA
  94 DUCLOS-LASSALLE Herv�  FRA
  95 FERNANDEZ BUSTINZA Bingen  ESP
  96 HEIJBOER Mathieu  NED 
  97 MOINARD Amael  FRA
  98 VALENTIN Tristan  FRA
  99 ZAMPIERI Steve  SUI
Crédit Agricole (Fra)
 101 CAUCCHIOLI Pietro  ITA
  102 BELLOTTI Francesco  ITA 
 103 BODROGI Laszlo  HUN
 104 DEAN Julian  NZL
 105 FURLAN Angelo  ITA
 106 HALGAND Patrice  FRA
 107 KERN Christophe  FRA
 108 HUSHOVD Thor  NOR
 109 ROCHE Nicolas  IRL
Discovery Channel (USA)
  111 POPOVYCH Yaroslav  UKR 
 112 BILEKA Volodymyr  UKR
 113 CUMMINGS Steven  GBR
 114 HINCAPIE George  USA
 115 PADRNOS Pavel  CZE
 116 RUBIERA VIGIL Jos� Luis  ESP
 117 VANDBORG Brian Bach  DEN 
 118 VAN GOOLEN Jurgen  BEL
 119 WHITE Matthew  AUS
Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spa)
 121 ALBIZURI ARANSOLO Benat  ESP
 122 FERNANDEZ Koldo  ESP
 123 GALPARSORO MARTINEZ Dionisio  ESP
 124 HERNANDEZ GUTIERREZ Aitor  ESP
 125 IRIZAR ARANBURU Markel  ESP
 126 LUENGO CELAYA Anton  ESP
 127 PENA IZA Aketza  ESP
 128 VELASCO MURILLO Ivan  ESP
  129 ZUBELDIA AGIRRE Joseba  ESP 
Française Des Jeux (Fra)
 131 DA CRUZ Carlos  FRA
 132 GERARD Arnaud  FRA
 133 GUDSELL Timothy  NZL
 134 JEGOU Lilian  FRA
 135 MCLEOD Ian  RSA
 136 MONNERAIS Cyrille  FRA
 137 MOUREY Francis  FRA
 138 PATANCHON Fabien  FRA
 139 VEIKKANEN Jussi  FIN
Gerolsteiner (Ger)
 141 REBELLIN Davide  ITA
 142 FÖRSTER Robert  GER
 143 FOTHEN Thomas  GER
 144 GATTO Oscar  ITA
 145 KLINGER Tim  GER
 146 KRAUSS Sven  GER
 147 ORDOWSKI Volker  GER
 148 RUSS Matthias  GER
  149 ZAUGG Oliver  SUI 
Lampre-Fondital (Ita)
  31 CUNEGO Damiano  ITA
  32 BONO Matteo  ITA
  33 BRUSEGHIN Marzio  ITA
  30 MARZANO Marco  ITA
  35 NAPOLITANO Danilo  ITA
  36 STANGELJ Gorazd  SLO
  37 SZMYD Sylvester  POL
  38 TIRALONGO Paolo  ITA
  39 VILA ERRANDONEA Francisco J.  ESP
Liquigas (Ita)
 151 DI LUCA Danilo  ITA
 152 GASPAROTTO Enrico  ITA
 153 MIHOLJEVIC Vladimir  CRO
 154 NIBALI Vincenzo  ITA
 155 NOE Andrea  ITA
 156 PELLIZOTTI Franco  ITA
 157 SPEZIALETTI Alessandro  ITA
 158 VANOTTI Alessandro  ITA
 159 WEGELIUS Charles  GBR
Milram (Ita)
 191 PETACCHI Alessandro  ITA
 192 CORTINOVIS Alessandro  ITA
 193 GHISALBERTI Sergio  ITA
 194 KNEES Christian  GER
 195 LANCASTER Brett  AUS
 196 MULLER Martin  GER
 197 ONGARATO Alberto  ITA
  198 SABATINI Fabio  ITA 
 199 LORENZETTO Mirco ITA
Predictor-Lotto (Bel)
 161 MC EWEN Robert  AUS
 162 CIONI Dario David  ITA
 163 JUFRE POU Josep  ESP
 164 LLOYD Matthew  AUS
 165 AERTS Mario  BEL
 166 VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen  BEL
 167 VANHUFFEL Wim  BEL 
 168 ZANINI Stefano  ITA
 169 GATES Nick  AUS
Quickstep-Innergetic (Bel)
  01 BETTINI Paolo  ITA
  02 ENGELS Addy  NED
  03 FACCI Mauro  ITA
  04 SCARSELLI Leonardo  ITA
  05 SCHWAB Hubert  SUI
  06 TONTI Andrea  ITA
  07 TOSATTO Matteo  ITA
  08 VAN DE WALLE Jurgen  BEL 
  09 VISCONTI Giovanni  ITA
Rabobank (Ned)
 171 RASMUSSEN Michael  DEN
 172 ARDILA CANO Mauricio Alberto  COL
 173 BROWN Graeme  AUS
 174 MOERENHOUT Koos  NED
 175 VAN HEESWIJK Max  NED
 176 KOZONTCHUK Dmitry  RUS
 177 VAN BON Leon  NED
 178 WALKER William  AUS
 179 HORRILLO MUNOZ Pedro  ESP
Saunier Duval-Prodir (Spa)
  21 SIMONI Gilberto  ITA
  22 BERTOGLIATI Rubens  SUI 
  23 BELOHVOSCIKS Raivis  LAT
  24 CANADA GRACIA David  ESP
  25 GOMEZ GOMEZ Angel  ESP
  26 MORI Manuele  ITA 
  27 MAYO DIEZ Iban  ESP
  28 PIEPOLI Leonardo  ITA
  29 RICCO Riccardo  ITA
T-Mobile (Ger)
 211 BARRY Michael CAN
 212 BERNUCCI Lorenzo  ITA
 213 HANSEN Adam  AUS
 214 HENDERSON Gregory  NZL
 215 MERCKX Axel  BEL
 216 OLSON Aaron  USA
 217 PINOTTI Marco  ITA
 218 RABON Frantisek  CZE
 219 ZIEGLER Thomas  GER
Team CSC (Dan)
 181 CANCELLARA Fabian  SUI
 182 ZABRISKIE David  USA 
 183 SCHLECK Andy  LUX
 184 HAEDO Juan Jose  ARG
 185 KOLOBNEV Alexandr  RUS 
 186 BLAUDZUN Michael  DEN 
 187 BRESCHEL Matti  DEN
 188 GUSTOV Volodymir  UKR
 189 ARVESEN Kurt-Asle  NOR
Tinkoff Credit Systems (Ita)
 201 COMMESSO Salvatore  ITA
 202 PETROV Evgeni  RUS
 203 CONTRINI Daniele  ITA
  204 ROVNY Ivan   
 205 SERRANO GONZALEZ Ricardo  ESP
 206 IGNATIEV Mikhail  RUS 
 207 BRUTT Pavel  RUS
 208 AGGIANO Elio  ITA 
 209 TRUSSOV Nikolai  RUS  


October 29th update:

Y!   The 2008 Giro d'Italia Dashboard page with 2008 stage details is now up

October 1st update: The route of the 2008 Giro d'Italia will be unveiled Dec. 1, organizers said Tuesday. Just as predicted here, the 91st edition of the 21-stage race begins May 10 in Palermo, Sicily, and finishes three weeks later in Milan. Italian cyclist Danilo Di Luca won this year's Giro and is expected to defend his title, pending the outcome of a doping hearing Thursday.

RAI 2007 Giro video clips are no longer available online;
DVD is now available

September 5th update: Just recently, RAI removed all the video clips linked to by this web site. They were available for 3 months following the event but you'll now have to buy the DVD (see left) to replay the 2007 Giro d'Italia. — Steve

Giro d'italia 2008 will start on the island of Sicily

June 28th update: After a successful Sardinia start this year, the 2008 Giro d'Italia will start from another one of Italy's scenic Mediterranean islands... Sicily from the town of Palermo. We also know the Giro will once again pass through Austria next year. I've already been asked about the 2008 Giro dates and I'm willing to speculate that next year's dates will be Saturday May 10th - Sunday June 1st, 2008. I've simply noticed that four of the last six Giros have started on the second Saturday of May. The 2005 and 2006 events did start on the first Saturday of May, but the Giro has never started before May 6th in recent memory. So consider booking your hotels in Sicily on the second weekend in May and in Milano where the race should finish along the Corso Venezia on the last weekend of May as long as you can cancel later! — Steve

Stage 21 results: Pettachi gets his easiest win on the last day for a total of five; Danilo Di Luca wins the overall title
Vestone → Milano, 185k (flat)

Mac users require Windows Media Player v9 for Mac OSX or Flip4Mac to view the RAI archive video.

Stage 21 Preview

June 3rd 7:00 CEST/ 1:00 EDT update: Today is the traditional, ceremonial stage of this great Grand Tour where the remaining 140 thin, tanned riders can celebrate three weeks of hard work and compete one last time. At the end of this 185k stage, the riders will enter downtown Milano for 10 finishing laps on a 5k circuit. The GC standings were effectively decided yesterday and barring physical mishap, Danilo Di Luca of Liquigas with be the 90th Giro d'Italia winner. He'll be joined on the podium by young Andy Schleck (Team CSC) and veteran Eddy Mazzolena (Astana). In the spirit of the Giro, this prominently flat stage does have one categorized climb at kilometer 37, Passo Tre Termini (length: 10.5k, gain: 358m, avg: 3.4%, max: 8%) which is baby chow at this point.

If you wish to send feedback regarding the steephill.tv Giro coverage then please do so; otherwise, you can switch the channel to our 2007 Tour de France Dashboard featuring pre-race information for Le Tour which starts in one month. Thanks for tuning in... — Steve

Stage 21 Race Summary

As expected, Danilo Di Luca won the overall title and Alessandro Petacchi took one more sprint finish. After a great lead-out by his Team Milram, Pettachi easily out-sprinted the field winning by several bike lengths. The pace of today's race was so slow (34 kph) that RAI had to cut away to football before the GC award ceremony was completed. Speaking of RAI, I think I speak for everyone in saying they do an outstanding job broadcasting the Giro d'Italia. Their internet streaming was very reliable except during very high traffic periods, like the Zoncolan finish; they quickly posted archived video within hours of the completion of each stage and their camera work and production were outstanding. RAI Sport say their viewership was way up for this year's Giro. The interesting display of team tactics and the number of successful breaks reflects positively on the good route selection. A terrific race overall and we can only hope it was a fair competition. — Steve

Stage 21 Results
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Milram
2 Maximiliano Richeze (Arg) Ceramica Panaria-Navigare
3 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quickstep-Innergetic
4 Giuseppe Palumbo (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caff� Mokambo
5 Stefano Zanini (Ita) Predictor-Lotto

Final General classification
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas             92.59.39
2 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC                   1.55
3 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Astana                   2.25
4 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval - Prodir  3.15
5 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - Fondital        3.49
6 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval - Prodir   7.00
7 Evgeni Petrov (Rus) Tinkoff Credit System     8.34
8 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - Fondital     10.14
9 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas             10.44
10 David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne   11.58



Full ResultsCyclingnews
Full ReportVeloNews
Archived Live Text
Roberto Bettini's Stage 21 Photos
Cyclingnews Stage 21 Photos


Stage 20 results: Paolo Savoldelli wins the TT with Astana one-two; Eddy Mazzoleni knocks Simoni off the podium
Castelnuovo del Garda → Verona, 43k (TT)

Mac users require Windows Media Player v9 for Mac OSX or Flip4Mac to view the RAI archive video.

Stage 20 Preview

Jun 2 17:45 CEST/ 1:45 EDT update: Even though it's not his best discipline, Danilo Di Luca's hold on this year's Giro is not likely in doubt during Saturday's individual time-trial stage. However, positions 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th could change. Gilberto Simoni will do well to keep the final podium spot with two better time-trialers, Damiano Cunego and Eddy Mazzoleni, hovering roughly one-minute back and only 1'24" separates second (Andy Schleck) through fifth (Eddy Mazzoleni). Riders will start in reverse order of the current General Classification in one-minute intervals (two-minute intervals for the current Top 10). The 43k course is neither technical nor very hilly so riders can focus on getting "dialed-in" and cranking out the watts. — Steve

General Classification after stage 19
1. Danilo Di Luca (I), Liquigas, 86:46:28
2. Andy Schleck (Lux), CSC, 2:24
3. Gilberto Simoni (I), Saunier Duval, 2:28
4. Damiano Cunego (I), Lampre, 3:29
5. Eddy Mazzoleni (I), Astana, 3:46
6. Riccardo Ricco' (I), Saunier Duval, 5:19


Jun 2 17:45 CEST/ 11:45 EDT update:
Stage 20 Results
1 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Astana                                     52.20 (49.299 km/h)
2 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Astana                                       0.36
3 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC                                    0.38
4 Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun) Credit Agricole                              1.08
5 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - Fondital                          1.16
6 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC                                       1.28
7 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas                                    1.44
8 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas                                     1.57
9 Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Tinkoff Credit System                      2.01
10 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                 2.02
11 Evgeni Petrov (Rus) Tinkoff Credit System                        2.11
12 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - Fondital                           2.17
13 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Quickstep - Innergetic                   2.18
14 Raivis Belohvosciks (Lat) Saunier Duval - Prodir                 2.21
15 Andrei Kunitski (Blr) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo             2.29
16 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Predictor - Lotto                                
17 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval - Prodir                     2.44
  
General classification after stage 20
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas                                 87.40.45
2 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC                                       1.55
3 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Astana                                       2.25
4 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval - Prodir                      3.15
5 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - Fondital                            3.49
6 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval - Prodir                       7.00
7 Evgeni Petrov (Rus) Tinkoff Credit System                         8.34
8 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - Fondital                         10.14
9 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                 10.44
10 David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                       11.58
11 Emanuele Sella (Ita) Ceramica Panaria - Navigare                13.08
12 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Astana                                   13.30
13 Ivan Ramiro Parra Pinto (Col) Cofidis - Le Credit par Telephone 14.48
14 Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saunier Duval - Prodir                   17.40
15 Francisco Javier Vila Errandonea (Spa) Lampre - Fondital        19.13
  
Full ResultsCyclingnews
Full ReportVeloNews
Archived Live Text
Graham Watson's Stage 20 Photos
Roberto Bettini's Stage 20 Photos
Cyclingnews Stage 20 Photos

Paolo Savoldelli's intermediate lead held:

Eddy Mazzoleni was the big winner today going from 5th to 3rd:

Danilo Di Luca's Maglia Rosa was never in jeopardy:


The former Saeco teammates on the post-race RAI broadcast: (Cunego, Di Luca) on the top row, Simoni (lower screen) in good spirits despite losing his 3rd place position today:


Stage 19 results: Iban Mayo's solo attack, in the rain, gives Saunier Duval it's fourth different Giro winner
Treviso → Terme di Comano, 179k (hilly)

Mac users require Windows Media Player v9 for Mac OSX to view the RAI archive video or copy and paste the url into QuickTime.

Stage 19 Preview

Jun 1 17:15 CEST/ 1:15 EDT update: We're headed back to the mountains with a finish not far from Trento, but stage 19 isn't a mountain stage even though it has two categorized climbs: Pian delle Fugazze (length: 11.4k, gain: 820m, avg: 7.2%, max: 14%) at the half way point and Passo Ballino (length: 15.6k, gain: 687m, avg: 4.4%, gain: 10%) near the end before the descent to the finish in Terme di Comano. With the top GC contenders thinking about tomorrow's decisive time-trial, this stage will very likely feature a successful break of non-GC contenders with the winning move being launched on the final hill just 15k from the finish. — Steve
Jun 1 17:15 CEST/ 11:15 EDT update:







Stage 19 Race Summary

Stage 19 is not officially a mountain stage, but I'm going to chalk up one more mountainous stage win to Saunier Duval anyway, declaring Iban Mayo the fourth, different Saunier Duval winner of a moutainous stage in this year's Giro. In nasty, wet conditions, Mayo attacked after cresting the top of the cat 1 climb just past the mid-way point in the race. His move was setup by his teammates, Riccardo Ricco and Leonardo Piepoli, who softened up the Gruppo Maglia Rosa when the climb started. Danilo Di Luca was never in trouble and even flexed his muscles to prove he wasn't vulernable. Near the top, a select group had formed. Over the other side, Mayo made his move. He was joined by Alberto Losada (Caisse d'Epargne) as the two took some risks on the slick descent and worked well together on the flats to gain an advantage before Mayo disposed of him on the cat 3 climb, 20k from the finish. From there, Mayo, danced and sloshed his way over the hilly course, stayed upright on the descent into Terme di Comano and won by 43 seconds over the four man chase led by Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step). It's Mayo's first ever Giro win and his first major win since last year's stage 6 of the Dauphine Libéré. As expected, there were no relevant changes in the GC standings today, but there will be after tomorrow's decisive time-trial. — Steve

Full ResultsCyclingnews
Full ReportVeloNews
Archived Live Text
Graham Watson's Stage 19 Photos
Cyclingnews/Sirotti/Bettini Stage 19 Photos


Stage 18 results: Alessandro Pettachi jumps from 800m out and easily holds off the sprinter depleted field
Udine → Riese Pio X, 203k (very flat)

Mac users require Windows Media Player v9 for Mac OSX to view the RAI archive video or copy and paste the url into QuickTime.

Stage 18 Preview

May 31 7:52 CEST/ 1:52 EDT update: We're still very much in Northern Italy, but today's stage is just southeast of the big mountains and it's pancake flat. The climbers will get a well deserved rest while the sprinters -- the few that remain in the race -- hope to contest a sprint finish just north of Venice in Riese Pio X. There are many depleted and tired teams so a successful break is certainly not out of the question. Quick Step has done sweet didley thus far, but has only lost one rider so it's about time they set something up for their man and the guy that wears number #1, Paulo Bettini or hometown boy, Matteo Tosatto. With the list of sprint specialists whittled down to just Alessandro Petacchi and Maximiliano Richeze, Bettini may finally get his win. — Steve







Paolo Tiralongo (Lampre-Fondital) walks his broken bike across the line after getting caught in the final corner crash:

Stage 18 Race Summary

May 31 17:03 CEST/ 11:03 EDT update: As expected, this very flat stage produced a sprint finish. With his depleted, tired team not able to provide a lead-out and with only a few pure sprinters left in this year's Giro, Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) jumped at the final corner with 800m to go. Only Maximiliano Richeze (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) could follow him, but Richeze only had enough strength to hang on to his wheel giving Pettachi a clear victory. It's Pettachi's fourth Giro win this year.

There was a crash at the front on the final corner, but fortunately the two riders slid out of the way just before the field came through. Ag2R rider Aliaksandr Usau caught a pedal and he'll have some sore road rash on his left thigh tonight! The race was very fast, finishing the 203k course well ahead of the expected arrival time at 4:32:51 (45.739 kph) making it difficult for the early break of seven riders to stay away. There were no relevant changes in the GC standings today. — Steve

Stage 18 Results: 203km in 4:32:51 (45.739 kph)
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Milram, 
2 Maximiliano Richeze (Arg) Ceramica Panaria-Navigare
3 Matti Breschel (Den) Team CSC
Full ResultsCyclingnews
Full ReportVeloNews
Archived Live Text
Graham Watson's Stage 18 Photos
Roberto Bettini's Stage 18 Photos
Cyclingnews/Sirotti/ Stage 18 Photos


Stage 17 results: Gilberto Simoni wins Monte Zoncolan and moves up into 3rd in GC; Di Luca is looking rosy for the overall title.
Lienz → Monte Zoncolan, 142k (mountainous)

Mac users require Windows Media Player v9 for Mac OSX to view the RAI archive video or copy and paste the url into QuickTime.

Stage 17 Preview

May 29th 20:52 CEST/ 14:52 EDT update: Lienz, Austria does double duty as the start of Wednesday's stage 17, a mountainous stage with a vertical mountaintop finish on Monte Zoncolan (length: 10.1k, gain: 1203m, avg: 11.9%, max: max: 22%). That's right, an average grade of 12% for 10k... the steepest paved climb in Italy and maybe the toughest climb in Europe. There will be many bloody fingertips at the end of the day. Before the monstrous finish, there are two other categorized climbs: Passo di Monte Croce Di Comelico (length: 5.8k, gain: 297m, avg: 5.1%, max: 11%) starting in Lienz and Tualis (length: 3.5k, gain: 330m, avg: 9.4k, max: 13%) just before Zoncolan. Last November, Cyclingnews reported on Gilberto Simoni's reconnoitre of Zoncolan. With a rest day and an easy stage 16, maybe Simoni will show us that he's still the best steep hill climber in the Giro. This will also be the last chance for climbers to make up huge chucks of time before Saturday's 43k time-trial fine-tunes the GC standings. The Maglia Rosa, Danilo Di Luca, says he'll be using a 34x29 gear to stay with the pure climbers and to put some time on 2nd place Eddy Mazzoleni (@ 1'51"), who is the better time-trialer. — Steve

May 30th 15:12 CEST/ 9:12 EDT update:

Saunier Duval / Simoni and Piepoli crossing one-two:
( high-res victory salute photo)

Di Luca and Cunego finished 31 and 37 seconds back, respectively:

Gilberto Simoni celebrating his first win this year:

Stage 17 Race Summary

It was another dominating performance by the Saunier Duval climbers today with team captain, Gilberto Simoni getting an elusive stage win just ahead of his super-domestique Leonardo Piepoli. Although the overall title is out of reach, Simoni showed the thousands of fans lining Monte Zoncolan and those watching on tv that he has still got it at age 35, the 6th oldest Giro winner ever.

At the base of Monte Zoncolan, it was Saunier Duval's Iban Mayo who got the action started. Shortly afterwards, Gilberto Simoni went to the front dropping the Gruppo Maglia Rosa and passing several riders from the earlier break. If he was going to catch Danilo Di Luca in GC, he needed to make something happen early on. He did put some distance on Di Luca, but it was never that great. As Simoni settled in, an irrepressible Andy Schleck and Simoni's teammate Leonardo Piepoli joined him. Piepoli told Simoni to ease up so Piepoli could do some work. The three riders caught the remaining riders from the break in the final kilometers. With 200m to go, Piepoli accelerated while Simoni hesitated briefly until it was clear Schleck had nothing left. Simoni and Piepoli raised their arms as they crossed the line together. Di Luca only lost 31 seconds or 51 seconds with Simoni's time bonus and still has a solid lead of 2'24" over Andy Schleck. Simoni has now moved into 3rd overall since Eddy Mazzoleni has slipped from 2nd to 5th in GC as a result of finishing 13th today, 2'26" back of Simoni's winning time.

Andy Schleck is a better time-trialer than Di Luca, but 2'24" is too much time to make up in Saturday's 43k time-trial. Simoni is only four seconds back of Schleck, but he's probably more focused on keeping his podium position since Damiano Cunego and especially Mazzoleni are better time-trialers. Damiano Cunego is one-minute back in 4th and Eddy Mazzoleni is 1'18" back in 5th. — Steve

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Stage 16 results: Stefano Garzelli gets his 2nd Giro stage win this year with a solo attack 35k from the finish in Austria
Agordo → Lienz, Austria. 189k (hilly then flat)

Stage 16 Preview

May 29th 6:05 CEST/ 0:05 EDT update: Although this stage starts in the Dolomites and goes over Passo di Campolongo (length: 23.3k, gain: 877m, avg: 3.8%, max: 10%), one of the four famous climbs that up the Sella Ring, and the course doesn't become flat until the last 17k, it's not classified a mountain stage. There is even a small categorized climb, Banberg (length: 4.7k, gain: 227m, avg: 4.7k, max: 11%) after this stage crosses into Austria before descending to the flats in Lienz. If a group of non-GC contenders gets away early on the long, but not difficult climb over Campolongo then they could easily stay away. This could be the stage where Paulo Bettini finally gets a win. — Steve

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Stage 16 Race Summary

May 29th 17:45 CEST/ 11:45 EDT update:
Stage 16 Results
1 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caffe Mokambo
2 Laurent Mangel (Fra) Ag2r Prevoyance
3 Ricardo Serrano (Spa) Tinkoff Credit Systems
4 Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) Discovery Channel
5 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Credit Agricole
6 Pablo Lastras (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
7 Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Tinkoff Credit Systems
8 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Quickstep-Innergetic
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Stefano Garzelli broke free on the stiff little hills 35k from the finish and stayed away:
Five guys couldn't reel in Garzelli or get within 30 seconds:

Pablo Lastras (Caisse d'Epargne) urging his breakmates (Lastras Laurent Mangel (Ag2r Prevoyance), Ricardo Serrano (Tinkoff Credit Systems), Jose Luis Rubiera (Discovery Channel), Pietro Caucchioli (Credit Agricole) to pick up the pace but they had heavy legs; however, the heavy leggers did find the energy to cross the finish line ahead of Pablo Lastras:



Stage 15 results: Saunier-Duval's Riccardo Ricco and Leonardo Piepoli cross one-two; Simoni loses time again to Di Luca
Trento → Tre Cime di Lavaredo, 184k (very mountainous)

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Stage 15 Preview

May 27th 8:02 CEST/ 2:02 EDT update: Just about everyone has been waiting for this stage. The superlatives have been flying for months, but I'm not going to get caught up in the frenzy; I'm just going to, conservatively, call it potentially epic. The course will have four big climbs: Passo san Pellegrino at 93k (length: 11.8k, gain: 753m, avg: 6.4%, max: 14%), Passo Giau at 145k (length: 9.8k, gain: 922m, avg: 9.4%, max: 14%), Passo Tre Croci at 170k (length: 8k, gain: 578m, avg: 7.2%, max: 12%) and the final climb to Tre Cime Di Lavaredo (length: 7.2k, gain: 547m, avg: 7.6%, max: 18%). You'll need to study the profile to gain a full appreciation.

Yesterday's thrilling race will be hard to top, but as Velonews puts it succinctly: "Sunday's [today's] monumental mountain stage from Trento [Simoni's hometown] to Tre Cime Di Lavaredo in the Dolomites will be even more selective, and Simoni will be expected to use his superior climbing to test Di Luca to his limits." Simoni accomplished Saturday's result while saving his super-domestique, Leonardo Piepoli. — Steve

Stage 15 Results
1 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir         5:47:22 (184km @ 31.781kph)
2 Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir            st
3 Ivan Parra (Col) Cofidis                             0.10
4 Julio Perez (Mex) Ceramica Panaria-Navigare          0.32
5 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Astana                          1.29
6 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas                        2.53
7 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir           3.30
8 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                 3.36
9 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC                          3.52
10 Emanuele Sella (Ita) Ceramica Panaria-Navigare      6.03
11 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                 6.07
12 Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Astana                         st
13 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank                    6.27
14 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                    6.59
15 Evgeni Petrov (Rus) Tinkoff Credit System           7.11
 
General classification after stage 15
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas                    68h00'55"
2 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Astana                          1.51"
3 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC                          2'56"
4 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir           3'19"
5 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Fondital                 3'23"
6 Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir            3'39"
7 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                  6'05"
8 Emanuele Sella (Ita) Ceramica Panaria-Navigare       7'02"

It may have been rainy and cold, but it was clear on the last climb that the winner would come from this group of four early escapees: L-R: Julio Perez (Mex) Ceramica Panaria-Navigare, Ivan Parra (Col) Cofidis, Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir, Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir:

Saunier Duval-Prodir's Leonardo Piepoli and Riccardo Ricco surged in the final 200m:
Riccardo Ricco crosses first:
Saunier Duval can celebrate but Simoni lost time:
Eddy Mazzoleni (5th) tried to bridge up on the last climb, but found himself in no man's land neither gaining or losing time:
Maglia Rosa, Di Luca, had more energy than Simoni all day and dropped him in the final 4k:
The winner keeping warm while waiting for his interview:

Stage 15 Race Summary

May 27th 18:02 CEST/ 12:02 EDT update: Although this very mountainous course had the makings for an exciting stage, the big build-up didn't exactly pan out. There weren't many positional changes in the last 60k and everybody seemed to do the last climb at the same pace. Nonetheless, a steep mountaintop finish is always fun to watch.

Early on, Gilberto Simoni's domestiques, Leonardo Piepoli and Riccardo Ricco, along with others broke away from the gruppo Maglia Rosa. The group of 12 or so thinned out to four on the last climb to Tre Cime Di Lavaredo before the Saunier Duval teammates crossed one-two. They were most likely out front early to help Simoni build a lead over Danilo Di Luca if Di Luca faded. But, Di Luca didn't fade; in fact, he dropped Simoni on the final climb and crossed 34 seconds ahead of him. Clearly, Simoni's hard effort yesterday cost him today where as Di Luca relied on his teammates to chase. Today, Di Luca's Liquigas teammates were nowhere in sight, but he did fine without them. Anybody else surprised at how well Di Luca climbed the steep sections which is suppose to be his weakness?

The slow pace of riders crossing the finish line is an indication of the steep severity of Tre Cime Di Lavaredo and not from enjoying the spectactular Dolomites scenery. — Steve

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Stage 14 results: A sensational race and finish in Bergamo, the most thrilling this year... Garzelli denies an aggressive Simoni who picks up 38 + 12 seconds in GC
Cantu' → Bergamo, 192k (mountainous)

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Stage 14 Preview

May 26th 6:35 CEST/ 0:35 EDT update: Aside from shaping up for another terrific mountain race, stage 14 will be very scenic. Starting in Cantu', the riders will head 25k northeast to gorgeous Lake Como where they'll head north along the east shore for a very flat 60k. The flat 85k warm-up ends where Lake Como does and the situation changes abruptly with the 1+ mile vertical gain climb up and over the imposing Alpi Oróbie via Passo di San Macro (length: 26.2k, gain: 1733m, avg: 6.6%, max: 12%). I believe this is the longest climb of the Giro and it's guaranteed to shatter the field just like the Cima Coppi did two days ago. A 30k descent then follows to the base of La Trintà-Dossena (length: 9.4k, gain: 598m, avg: 6.4%, max: 12%) where some more thinning is certainly possible. After another quick descent, a 20k flat stretch is left before a steep, but short hill and the tricky 4k downhill finish into Bergamo. This stage could very easily play out like stage 12 and the finish in Briançon. — Steve

Simoni attacked the seven man break in the old city:
only Garzelli could stay close on the steep hill:
Garzelli taking advantage of a poorly positioned motorcycle:
the sling-shot effect helped reel in Simoni with 350m to go:
a sharp 90 degree turn before the head home:
The finish wasn't close enough for Simoni:
Garzelli catches Simoni in the last 50m:
Italian kisses...

Stage 14 Race Summary

May 26th 17:20 CEST/ 1:20 EDT update: Thanks mainly to Gilberto Simoni, Paolo Savoldelli and Stefano Garzelli, this was one hell of a race; another mountain stage with no-stop action throughout. The Giro's reputation as the most exciting stage race is further enhanced.

As expected, the longest climb of the Giro, Passo di San Marco, ripped apart the peloton. Going over first were Fortunato Baliani (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) and then Sylvester Szmyd (Lampre-Fondital), Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank), Ivan Parra (Cofidis), Jose Luis Rubiera (Discovery Channel) and Marco Pinotti (T-Mobile). But, they were simply the rabbits.

The real action started when Astana boys Eddy Mazzoleni and Paolo Savoldelli attacked the Maglia Rosa on the difficult descent... Savoldelli's specialty. They were chasing the lead group which was joined by Paulo Bettini and Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone-Caffe Mokambo). Meanwhile, more strong descenders were attacking Danilo Di Luca, including Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir).

Near the end of the hairy descent and before the run up to the next categorized climb, all three groups merged into a big, all-star threat to Liquigas and Lampre. (Liquigas had Franco Pellizotti sitting, strategically, in the back of the lead group).

Up the category 2 climb, La Trinta-Dossena, the leaders' advantage hovered around one minute. Iban Mayo buried himself for his team captain, Simoni. The pace was too much for Michael Rasmussen, the reigning Tour de France King of the Mountains, who soon went out the back. Simoni then led much of the way up the rest of the climb. Liquigas's Pellizotti was told to fall back and pull the gruppo Maglia Rosa, which he did quite easily. At the top, the lead was still around a minute and it remained that way when the break and chase hit the flats. On the treacherous descent of La Trinta-Dossena, Andy Schleck (CSC) took a spill on one of the sharp corners, but was able to chase back on.

Throughout the entire run into Bergamo, the lead continued to hover around one minute. Up front, the group of seven (Bettini, Parra, Mazzoleni, Savoldelli, Garzelli, Simoni and Baliani) were in team time-trial mode with Savoldelli taking big pulls and Simoni doing more than his share. Behind, team captains, Di Luca and Damiano Cunego were cracking the whip on their Liquigas and Lampre teammates.

The excitement in this race escalated even further when the riders hit the steep hill called Strappo della Boccola in the old city of Bergamo. Simoni attacked the break and put a sizable gap on all six except for Garzelli. On the descent and flat stretch through the tricky streets in the new city of Bergamo, Garzelli was gaining ground. Once the riders rounded the final 90 degree corner, it was apparent Garzelli was going to catch Simoni. The finish line, indeed, wasn't close enough and Simoni lost in the final meters. But, Simoni gained 38 seconds on Di Luca plus the 12 second time bonus. Again it was a thrilling, thrilling race. Be sure to watch the archived RAI stage video.

In fact, if you view the video closely, you'll notice Garzelli was able to catch Simoni thanks to a draft behind a RAI motorcycle (see video still above-left). "Bravo, you helped him win!" Simoni shouted at the motorcycle driver shortly after crossing the line. Simoni may rightly feel he was denied a great win, but race fans will remember his efforts during one of the greatest Giro stages. — Steve

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Stage 13 results: Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre-Fondital) is the surprise winner in 28'55", one second ahead of Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir); Simoni loses more time
Biella → Oropa, 12.6k TT (mountainous)

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Stage 13 Preview

May 25th 06:45 CEST/ 00:45 EDT update: Today race fans get to watch the excitement of a mountain time-trial... the ultimate test against the clock. It's nothing but uphill all the way to Santuario di Oropa (length: 12.5k, gain: 734m, avg: 5.8%/6.6% for the last 10k, max: 13%). This is a chance for Simoni and Cunego to gain back some time on Di Luca. Andy Schleck is the wild card. — Steve
May 25th 17:03 CEST/ 1:03 EDT update:
Final Results: 12.6km in 28:55 (26.144kph)
1 Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre-Fondital)                  28'55" (26.144kph)
2 Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir)             28'56"
3 Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas)                           29'03"
4 David Zabriskie (Team CSC)                          29'14"
5 Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas)                        29'19"
6 Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone-Caff� Mokambo)     29'24"
7 Eddy Mazzoleni (Astana)                             29'28"
A surprise winner by one second...

Di Luca is still sitting pretty...

... The Maglia Rosa finished third just 8 seconds back...

Zabriskie was the intermediate leader...

Simoni fell further back in GC with his 13th place finish...

Stage 13 Race Summary

News of 1996 Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis' EPO confession overshadowed today's live coverage.

Marzio Bruseghin beat his Lampre teammate, Damiano Cunego, and everyone else to the top of Santuario di Oropa just one second ahead of Stage 7's mountaintop winner, Leonardo Piepoli. Bruseghin is the current Italian Time Trial Champion, but given today's 12.6k mountain profile with an average grade of 5.8%, he is considered a surprise winner. The intermediate leader at all checkpoints, Danilo Di Luca, lost time at the end and finished 8 seconds back in third. David Zabriskie using stubby aerobars held the intermediate lead before getting bumped down to fourth. Gilberto Simoni had a bad day finishing over one minute back in 13th and lost more GC time to Di Luca. — Steve

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Stage 12 results: Di Luca, Simoni, one-two in a terrific battle; Di Luca back in Maglia Rosa
Scalenghe → Briançon (FR), 163k (mountainous)

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Stage 12 Preview

May 24th 07:00 CEST/ 01:00 EDT update: Stage 12 is a century in length featuring lots of action. There are only two categorized climbs, but we are headed towards the high mountains now and these aren't baby chow. First up is Colle dell'Agnello (length: 21.3k, gain: 1452m/almost 1 mile, avg: 6.8%, max: 15%), the Cima Coppi (highest mountain) of this year's Giro. When the riders start the 24k descent over the other side, they will cross into France before heading up the famous French Alps climb, Col d'Izoard (length: 14.2k, gain: 1007m, avg: 7.1%, max: 14%). The finish of this race favors a highly-skilled descender, but if no one gets away there will be a 3k power climb to the finish in Briançon that's ideal for a climber with a good sprint. Note tomorrow's early live video start time and extended coverage. — Steve
May 24th 17:00 CEST/ 1:00 EDT update:

High-res finish line photo
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Stage 12 Race Summary

From the moment the live video came on (late), it was game on. Up front were Frenchmen Yoann Le Boulanger (Bouygues Telecom) and Christophe Riblo (AG2r) were leading the charge up the Cima Coppi and over the top into their native land. At 1452m, Colle dell'Agnello is not only the highest mountain in this year's Giro, it's the highest for the past 10 years.

The real action was just behind the break. Saunier Duval sacrificed their super-domestiques Riccardo Ricco and Leonardo Piepoli on the Cima Coppi, hoping to get some separation between their captain Gilberto Simoni and many of the GC contenders he needs to gain ground on. By the time the live video started, it looked like less than 20 guys were in the race. Piepoli did a great job dropping everyone except six riders. Unfortunately for Simoni, Danilo Di Luca was among the "select group of climbers" in the Piepoli train. In fact, Di Luca looked like the strongest guy all day and even won the Col d'Izoard KOM before being reeled in by Simoni, the better descender. Simoni also looked good softening up the group .

It was clear on the Col d'Izoard descent that the winner of the race would come from the lead group of Di Luca, Simoni, young rising star Andy Schleck (Team CSC), Eddy Mazzoleni (Astana) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital). Cunego was dangling off the back on several occasions and it seemed certain he wouldn't have any pop for the power climb finish in Briancon. When the race charged through the narrow and sometimes pavé streets in Briancon, it was Di Luca and Schleck up front just ahead of Simoni. When Di Luca gave a dig for the last time, Schleck fell back and Simoni took his place. Di Luca was too strong though and Simoni lost by a bike length. Di Luca now has three Giro wins this year.

From this point on, we can resume a meaningful GC discussion. There is still lots of climbing left, but Di Luca is looking really good. Simoni will hope Di Luca encounters a bad day because that's what he'll need to make up 2'34". In between Di Luca and Simoni, are six guys with young Andy Schleck sitting smartly in third, 1'25" back. — Steve


Stage 11 results: Petacchi's 3rd victory is overshadowed by a slippery finish line crash
Serravalle Scrivia → Pinerolo, 198k (flat)

Stage 11 Preview

May 23rd 08:00 CEST/ 02:00 EDT update: Stage 11 heads west away from the Mediterranean to Pinerolo not far from Torino (Turin), the last host city of the Winter Olympics. It's a flat stage for those sprinters that didn't bail halfway through yesterday's sufferfest and a 198k recovery ride for the climbers before four consecutive mountain stages. — Steve

Stage 11 Race Summary

May 23rd 18:00 CEST/ 12:00 EDT update: Today's stage was marred by an ugly finish line crash started when Nikolai Trussov (Tinkoff Credit Systems) lost his bike on the rain-sprinkled finish line paint. A chain reaction ensued similar to an icy winter highway pile up with riders sliding 30 meters beyond the line. Otherwise, there wasn't much excitement today; the pace was incredibly slow: 198k in 5 hours and 46 minutes. A lone Cofidis rider was off the front of the peloton most of the "race" riding without effort and not, evidently, smiling for the cameras until the sprinter teams came to life near the end of the race. The sprint finish was close enough that it took several minutes to declare Alessandro Petacchi the winner with Gabriele Balducci (Acqua & Sapone) nipping Robbie McEwen for second after squeezing in between the two ace sprinters. A stage like this seems like a waste of time, but it's a small price to pay for the four consecutive mountain stages that start tomorrow. — Steve
Crash and slide video

Stage 11 Results: 198k in 5h46'59"... slow
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Milram
2 Gabriele Balducci (Ita) Acqua & Sapone
3 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor-Lotto
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole
5 Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Lampre-Fondital
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Stage 10 results: "Proper climber" Leonardo Piepoli attacks with 4k to go and wins the hot, steep, painful mountaintop finish; Saunier Duval-Prodir looking strong
Lido di Camaiore → Santuario Nostra Signora della Guardia, 250k (mountainous)

Stage 10 Preview

May 22nd 5:05 CEST/ 11:05 EDT update: The slow pace of yesterday's stage is partly due to what lies in store for today's stage 10, the Giro's second longest stage at 250k with a steep finishing climb to Santuario Nostra Signora della Guardia (length: 8.8k, gain: 704m, avg: 8%, max: 14%). There will be time gaps that will change the GC standings and it's more than safe to say that Marco Pinotti won't be wearing the Maglia Rosa at the end of the day. There are two other categorized climbs that will soften up the legs before the gloves come off: the steady grind over Passo del Biscia (length: 16.3k, gain: 539m, avg: 3.3%, max: 11%) and the short but sweet Campi (length: 4.3k, gain: 344m, avg: 8%, max; 12%) strategically located before the grand finale. The finish will probably be more suited to Danilo di Luca than Gilberto Simoni who prefers something longer and steeper. — Steve

May 22nd 17:30 CEST/ 11:30 EDT update:

Stage 10 Results: 250k in 6:19'07" (39.407 km/h) 
1  Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir
2  Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas                  0.18
3  Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC                    0.27
4  Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir     0.32
5  Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir      0.41
6  Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Astana                  0.41
7  Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Fondital           0.43
8  Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas               0.45
9  Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) DSC                    0.52
10 Andrea Noe (Ita), Liquigas                     0.52
11 David Arroyo (Esp) Caisse d'Epargne            0.52
12 Emanuele Sella (Ita) Panaria                   0.57
13 Evgeni Petrov (Rus)  KOF                       1.17
14 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre                  1.22
15 Iban Mayo (Esp) Saunier Duval                  1.41
16 Patxi Vila (Esp) Lampre                        1.48
17 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Astana                    1.52
18 Luca Mazzanti (Ita) Panaria                    1.54
19 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua e Sapone          2.07
20 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Panaria               2.16
...
Marco Pinotti (Ita) T-Mobile                    4.30
  
General classification after stage 10
1 Andrea Noe (Ita) Liquigas
2 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre-Fondital
3 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
4 Patxi Vila (Spa) Lampre-Fondital
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Live report: read how it unfolded
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High-res victory salute photo

Stage 10 Race Summary

Nobody looked extra-terrestial climbing Santuario Nostra Signora della Guardia today, but an attack with 4k to go by a wan and bedraggled Leonardo Piepoli from the climber-laden Saunier-Duval team, was one that no one could or wanted to match. Danilo Di Luca looked great on the lower slopes, and finished second, 18 seconds down. Young Andy Schleck showed everyone that he has at least the potential of his old brother Frank, when his hard effort paid off for third just 27 seconds back. Gilberto Simoni looked in trouble once mid way up the final climb, but when the race went vertical (14%), Simoni clawed his way to 4th place just 32 seconds behind his winning teammate. Riccardo Ricco was another strong Saunier Duval rider and may have finished higher than fifth if not for his role as super-domestique to Simoni. Schleck and Yaroslav Popovych rode 250k plus one bike length before their legs seized up requiring them to reach out to the barriers just past the line to avoid rolling back down the hill. The finishing climb wasn't as tough as it looked, but when 242k is cycled at a high pace in high heat just to get to the base one can understand why riders were doubled over after crawling across the line. It was highly entertaining in every aspect and it was great to see all the top contenders finish in the top 10, no more than one-minute behind the winner.

A hard working group of six including George Hincapie spent a lot of effort as the rabbits on this day trying to stay ahead of the fast moving field. Everyone in the break faded badly on the last climb except Ivan Parra who finished 2:42 down. George Hincapie lost over eight minutes in the final 6k. Four or five sprinters, including JJ Haedo, threw in the towel less than half way through the day. — Steve



Stages 1 thru 9 have been archived

Stage 9 Results, Photos and Video
Stage 8 Results, Photos and Video
Stage 7 Results, Photos and Video
Stage 6 Results, Photos and Video
Stage 5 Results, Photos and Video
Stage 4 Results, Photos and Video
Stage 3 Results, Photos and Video
Stage 2 Results, Photos and Video
Stage 1 Results, Photos and Video


Live coverage and streaming options

May 12th update: I've updated the live coverage options and will continue to hunt down links for free online viewing before and during today's stage 1, but don't hestitate to send me an email if you find a good link not listed below. Preview the team time trial course . Stay tuned. — Steve

  Giro d'Italia viewing options:
• Online/English: Cycling.tv/Versus — $24 U.S.
• TV-Radio/Italian: RAI Int'l — $11 U.S. (contact your cable operator )
• Online/Italian: RAI or Audio/English: Eurosport — Free
• Text/English: Cyclingnews or Eurosport— Free
• DVD/English: Pre-order the DVD from World Cycling — $49 U.S.


The pre-game show: the contenders and the course

The two top contenders were once loving teammates; Damiano Cunego & Gilberto Simoni before the split.
May 11th update: In the words of Bob Schwartz: "It is the spectacle that draws the fans, and the fantasy of honest competition is too resilient." In other words, a Grand Tour like the Giro d'Italia is much bigger than the dopers that temporarily grab the headlines.

This year's Giro is shaping up to be a battle between former teammates Damiano Cunego and Gilberto Simoni who are literally the odds on favorites according to Unibet. PezCyclingNews has a good preview with lots of action photos from past years. Simoni says he's stronger than last year when he placed third second first! Also, checkout John Wilcockson's route analysis: Spectacular opening, vicious finaleSteve

Official Start List with rider numbers


watch the video
May 8th update: Ivan Basso lost any goodwill he gained from yesterday's last minute confession when he claimed today that he only "attempted" doping. Many people including myself can't help comparing Basso's quote to Bill Clinton's: "I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it. I didn't inhale and never tried it again." As Ken Conley (via Cyclingnews) points out, there is Operación Puerto evidence that contradicts Basso's backpedaling and indicates he beat Simoni last year thanks to Dr. Fuentes. — Steve

Pinocchio
photo courtesy of gsomar
May 7th update: I avoid doping rumors until there is solid news and Basso's admission of guilt is real news. When many riders are apparently doping, I guess it's tough to step forward and immediately confess so you can somewhat understand why Basso dragged it out. He sure fooled Graham Watson. Normally, a doping suspension is 2 years, but it can be reduced to one year at the discretion of the hearing panel so don't rule out the 2008 Giro for him. Will Simoni be crowned winner of last year's race now that the 2006 1st and 2nd place finishers have been implicated? Don't count on it.

Overshadowed in today's news was the release of the Official Preliminary Start List with rider numbers. During the week, I'll be keeping track of the revised rosters (see right). No one in the original Operación Puerto dossier including Tinkoff Credit Systems riders, Tyler Hamilton and Jorg Jaksche will be racing. (update: both riders have now been suspended by Tinkoff). The new dossier now includes 50 more riders so the dragnet is far from over. On a more positive note, George Hincapie will make his Giro debut as a replacement for the injured Tomas Vaitkus in Discovery Channel's line-up. — Steve


May 4th update: Profiles, maps and timetables for all stages have now been posted. See the stage summary table for the links to profiles, maps and timetables for each stage. For those in or going to Italy, the timetables are useful for determining when the peloton is expected to pass through some of the key points on the route. Also, I've posted a simple graphic overview of the stage profiles. — Steve

April 27th update: Team CSC announced their Giro squad which doesn't include a GC contender. "I think we have a good chance to show what we can do over those three weeks. Not only as far as stage wins are regarded, but we might also even go for the pink jersey in the beginning of the race, " said director Bjarne Riis. I've updated the team rosters with the latest information. — Steve

The 2007 Giro d'Itaila team rosters


April 24th update: According to Phil Liggett, Versus will have weekly Giro recaps on the weekends. By the way, our latest dashboard, Tour de Georgia 2007, is now complete and highlights will air on Versus, both days, this weekend in North America.

April 24th update: Basso's Giro participation in doubt


April 5th update: I've been receiving emails from people planning their Italy trips wishing more Giro route details. I attempt to post details immediately as they become available, but as you can tell from the incomplete summary table above some of the profiles and all of the timetables are missing. Last year, the route timetables were made available at the end of April/beginning of May. I'll post them when they are released.
Steve

March 4th update: So far, I'm aware of only a few options for watching the 2007 Giro live without being there in person. Italy's government channel RAI International TV televises the event (in Italian of course) with only a few commercials. Some cable operators offer RAI International so check with your cable operator. In the past, the event has also been streamed on the RAI web site for free. In English, your only option, that I'm aware of, is subscribing to cycling.tv and watching it over the internet. If anyone is aware of other outlets then send me an email.
Steve

February 12th update: The organizers announced 18 of the 22 teams that will take part in the Giro this year with the remaining four to be selected from a pool of eight wild-card teams. The UCI must be upset with the exclusion of ProTour team Unibet.com which isn't even listed among the wild-card candidates and has also been snubbed by the ASO for Paris-Nice and Unipublic, organizer of the Vuelta a Espana. The final four teams will be announced on Sunday, Feb 18th... (The wild cards selected on Feb 18 were Astana, Tinkoff, Acqua & Sapone-Caffe Mokambo and Ceramica Panaria-Navigare).

The 2007 Giro d'Itaila Teams


January 13th update: photopilote has sent in a link to the Giro d'Italia in Google Earth files he has posted. If anyone else has tidbits and links to the Tours we are covering then don't hesitate to send me a link.

This year's winner, Ivan Basso, gave thumbs up to next year's easier Giro route at the official rollout (photo: Steve Hill)
December 2 update: The official route is almost exactly as posted here just over a week ago with minor changes to the distances. A team time-trial replaces the prologue so there are 21 stages. Gilberto Simoni calls it a "more humane tour" compared to this year's, but said the summit finishes will be brutal "above all the Zoncolan and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo." The mountain stages are 4, 6, 10, 12, 13 (TT), 14, 15 and 17 as indicated with stage 13 being a mountain time-trial. Stages 4, 10, 15 and 17 are summit finishes. Stage 6 will pass over Monte Terminillo (el. 1894 meters, 21 km of climbing at 6.6 to 12%). Stage 12 enters France passing over the Col dell'Agnello (el. 2744 meters, 21.3 km at 6.8 to 15%) and the Col d'Izoard (el. 2360 meters, 14.1 km of climbing at 5.8 to 14%). Stage 14 passes over the San Marco Pass (el. 1985 meters, 26.1 km of climbing at 6.7 to 12%). There is more information about the 2007 Giro on the official site but it's all in Italian for now. Cyclingnews covered the rollout presentation and has a preview called 90th Giro d'Italia celebrates the climbers. Despite the rumors, all the big stars showed up.

November 24 update: The official announcement isn't until Saturday, December 2nd but the stages have been pieced together thanks largely to the help of our European viewers. The unofficial route (see table right) ...
I'll post the official route map on Saturday when the organizers unveil the route.

November 14 update: Cyclingnews reports there will be a Mountain TT in this year's Giro going from Biella to Oropa with 13km and 757m of climbing as a tribute to Macro Pantani's win at Oropa in 1999. It was rumored Passo Della Futa would be the Mountain TT, but it's definitely out because of parking problems so I've crossed it off the list below.

November 4th update: If you are looking for one single “dashboard” page that summarizes the 90th 2007 Giro d'Italia and points you to the important stuff on the official site and elsewhere then maybe this is it. This is an early start on our 2007 Giro d'Italia dashboard coverage, but more details will be posted as they are announced. As an example of what to expect, our 2007 Tour de France dashboard page was the first site to post the official Tour de France route map and it's frequently updated with tidbits and links to the latest information.

So far, we know the 2007 Giro d'Italia event dates, May 12th to June 3rd, with the island of Sardinia hosting the opening prologue and the first three stages. The Giro d'Italia 2007 route announcement date was rumored to be mid-November, but sportitalia.com (among others) has pegged Saturday, December 2nd as the rollout date. I'm keeping track of route rumors below as I receive/learn more details and the stage details table (see right) will be filled in when the official announcement is made. If there is something you wish to add or correct then send me an email. Each day during the Giro, we'll find and link to the best live feed. As content becomes available, the "live", "results", "photos" and "video" links will be activated.
Steve

Giro d'Italia 2007 Route Map



Relive the Giro d'Italia and Maratona dles Dolomites
through these five video clips

Select Video Clip:


All 21 Stage Profiles (sorry, this is the magnified view)