Giro d'Italia 2009 Dashboard
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copyright (c) 2007, 2008, 2009 steephill.tv 2009 Giro d' Italia La Mappa/Tappe (official)

2009 Giro d'Italia Teams Team Rosters and Withdrawals Le squadre (official startlist) — gazzetta.it

Giro d'Italia 2010 Route Info

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News and Updates for Giro d'Italia 2009

	2007	2008	2009 (4 hrs)	2009 (8 hrs)
Giro d'Italia Official Race DVDs

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Stage 21 Post Stage Analysis / Race Wrap Up

May 31 update: The Giro Centenario came down to 14.4 kilometers against the watch. Raced through the heart of Roma in wet conditions, the stage provided "il finale thrilling," in the words of Auro Bulbarelli, the Italian television commentator. In the end, Denis Menchov successfully defended his Maglia Rosa, despite the best efforts of Danilo Di Luca and a crash in the finishing straight. The final podium included Menchov, Di Luca, and Franco Pellizotti of Liquigas-Doimo. Ignatas Konovalovas, a 23 year old Lithuanian from Cervélo TestTeam, meanwhile, celebrated his first grand tour stage win.... Read more of Gavia's Stage 21 commentary

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Stage 21 results: Denis Menchov survives a late crash to win the Giro on a treacherous TT course in Rome. What a gladiator.

9 Big Photos from Stage 21 — sirotti

Stage 21 results
1 Ignatas Konovalovas (Ltu) Cervelo Test Team             18.42
2 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream                0.01
3 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team Columbia - Highroad      0.07
4 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana                           0.11
5 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.                   0.16
6 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) ISD                              0.18
7 Dries Devenyns (Bel) Quick Step                          0.20
8 Maarten Tjallingii (Ned) Rabobank                        0.21
9 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo    0.23
10 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                            0.24
10 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana                            0.27
16 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini          0.45

Final general classification
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                             86.03.11
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini               0.41
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                             1.59
4 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                        3.46
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                    3.59
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                 5.28
7 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo        8.43
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad               10.01
9 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale                       11.13
10 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.                     11.28

Full Results — cyclingnews
Menchov wins the Giro d'Italia, despite fall in the last kilometer — velonews
Mensjov wint de 92e Ronde van Italië — sporza.be
  Pre Stage 21 Show: Si Gira 21ª Tappa (28:47 Italiano) — rai
  The complete rides of Di Luca and Menchov (22:22 Italiano... link fixed) — rai
  Intervista a Denis Menchov (01:49 Spanish) — rai
Menchov Slides To Victory! — pezcyclingnews
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
Menchov re del Giro Ma che brividi a Roma — gazzetta.it
  Stage 21 Highlights (01:45) — eurosport
  Lance Armstrong interview the night before the TT (17:00) — universalsports
Armstrong’s Astana team still in financial trouble — sports.yahoo
Armstrong: Giro result 'promising' — velonews
AFP Photos including Menchov crash — sport.yahoo
Armstrong: "It's been a hard three weeks" — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Rabobank teammates watching Menchov crash and win from inside the team bus — nos.nl
  Last 2 Km of Menchov's ride including crash (08:32 Flemish) — sporza
  Stage 21 Highlights: Verslag van de 21e Rit (02:09 Flemish) — sporza
  Podium Ceremony (01:39 Italiano) — rai
  Lance and Levi ... Final Thoughts at the Giro (04:39) — livestrong
Graham Watson Stage 21 Photos — grahamwatson
9 Big Photos from Stage 21 — sirotti
  The up and downs as Rabobank teammates watch Menchov crash and win (01:37 Dutch) — nos

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Stage 20 Analysis/ Stage 21 Race Preview

May 30 update: The tight Pink Jersey contest between Denis Menchov and Danilo Diluca kept the early break on a tight leash today. Eight riders nonetheless tried their luck in the early kilometers of the stage to Anagni. The break included: Robert Förster of Milram, Ben Swift of Katusha, Felix Cardenas of Barloworld, Angel Gomez Gomez of Fuji-Servetto, Pablo Lastras Caisse d'Épargne, Anders Lund of Saxo Bank, Francesco De Bonis of Diquigiovanni-Androni, and Guillaume Bonnafond of AG2R-La Mondiale. LPR Brakes closely controlled the time gaps and with the intermediate sprint in Frosinone approaching, Diluca's team shut down the break... Read more of Gavia's Stage 20 commentary and check out the Stage 21 Preview

Stage 21 Start Time: Sunday 13:45 CET ();
Earliest live video: 14:45 CET ();
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 17:20 CET ()

Stage 21 Preview and Google Earth Maps (also see previews for other stages)
Rome ITT Start Order and Times
Team rosters with bib numbers
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Rome, Italy

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Live Streaming Video and TV Coverage

Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

May 31 update: Danilo Di Luca has conceded victory to Denis Menchov who is the better TT'er. Nonetheless, we'll see who has the most left after three weeks of racing. The TT course is technical with sections of cobblestones. It could rain too. Universal Sports will have an interview with Lance Armstrong during today's final broadcast... The RAI Sport Giro d'Italia coverage has been coming on the air early most days this past week jumping between their live feed and their pre-game show... Bike racing fans around the world have lots of options to choose from for viewing the Giro including Universal Sports in North America, Eurosport in Europe and RAI for anyone who prefers the Italian commmentary. See the live table below for a complete list of options. Also, check out Gavia's Stage 21 preview. — Steve

Stage 21 Start Time: Sunday 13:45 CET ();
Earliest live video: 14:45 CET ();
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 17:20 CET ()

Stage 21 Preview and Google Earth Maps (also see previews for other stages)
Rome ITT Start Order and Times
Team rosters with bib numbers
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Rome, Italy

media source	tv or internet	comments/restrictions
	live video (restricted)    live video (unrestricted)    live video (unrestricted)    live video (restricted)    live video (restricted)   tv schedule	Live video streaming. First option is restricted to Italy, others are accessible worldwide; Stage 20 starts at 16:25 CET on RAI Tre/Sport with a Pre-Game Show at 11:30 CET
	live video (restricted)    live video (unrestricted... choose your camera from the blue RAI Sport icons)    live video (restricted)   tv schedule	RAI Sport pre-game show and post race interviews; highlights; and usually the earliest live coverage
	live video (restricted)    live video (unrestricted, high quality)    live video (unrestricted, high quality)   tv schedule (see comments)	United States, Canada and surrounding US territories; Live video streaming/online at 8:45 ET. TV rebroadcasts at noon & twice nightly at 9 PM ET and 11 PM ET. Universal Sports TV Channel. Find Universal Sports TV in your area. Note: Firefox users are reporting streaming video problems; must have Flash 9 or higher installed.
	live video (unrestricted)	Italy; RAI feed with ticker
	live video (FR unrestricted)    live video (unrestricted)    live video (code: baby22)    live video (unrestricted)    live video (unrestricted/dead?)    internet audio   tv schedule  live ticker	Europe; Live daily coverage and rebroadcasts; Stage 18 starts at 16:30 CET Tip: mute the french audio and launch the english audio
	live video (unrestricted)	Basque feed; unrestricted
づらづら工業カビ式外車	live video (unrestricted)	Japanese feed; unrestricted, updated link
	1-hour delayed TV broadcast	Available worldwide starting with stage 2; $3-11 U.S; Stage 20 schedule; contact your cable/satellite distributor
	live video (restricted)   tv schedule	Ronde van Italië Flemish ticker and restricted live video; Belgium/Europe restriction on video
	video highlights (unrestricted)    video highlights (unrestricted)   tv schedule	Three times daily at 13.30, 19.30 and 23.00 CET, Sport Italia will have interviews, commentary and highlights
	live ticker	live ticker and text updates in multiple languages
	live text updates
	live text updates
infostradasports	live ticker	Dutch; a very nice ticker that anyone will find useful. English Translation
	steephill text updates  #giro twitter group	short text updates from any and everyone
check back at race time for more and updated links; send a comment or a new live link

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Stage 20 results: Philippe Gilbert gets a rare win for Silence-Lotto; little change in GC

9 Big Photos from Stage 20 — sirotti

Stage 20 results
1 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Silence-Lotto                        4.30.07
2 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) BBox Bouygues Telecom                    0.02
3 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana                                 0.07
4 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo    
5 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step

General classification after stage 20
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                              
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                0.20
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                              1.43
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                         2.44
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                     3.37
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                  4.59
7 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo         8.44
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                 9.36

Full Results — cyclingnews
Gilbert wint de 20e rit in de Ronde van Italië — sporza.be
  Pre Stage 20 Show: Si Gira 20ª Tappa (28:41 Italiano) — rai
  Last Km Stage 20: L'ultimo chilometro della 20 tappa (05:46 Italiano) — rai
Gilbert wins stage 20; Menchov holds lead — velonews
Sastre takes second Giro mountain stage; Menchov safe in pink — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Last Km: Laatste Kilometer van de 20e Etappe (00:47 Flemish) — sporza
  Lance and Levi Speak With Jason McCartney Pre Stage 20 (06:43) — livestrong
AFP Stage 20 Photos — sport.yahoo
Gilbert springs late attack to win penultimate Giro stage — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Di Luca accepts Giro defeat — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Stage 20 Highlights (01:45) — eurosport
  Post Stage Show and Highlights (30:20 Italiano) — rai
Graham Watson Stage 20 Photos — grahamwatson
Menchov a 14,4km dal trionfo Gilbert primo ad Anagni — gazzetta.it
9 Big Photos from Stage 20 — sirotti

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Stage 19 Analysis/ Stage 20 Race Preview

May 29 update: Today's stage, finishing on the Vesuvio volcano, provided a fitting finale to the mountain stages of this Giro Centenario. Carlos Sastre of Cervélo TestTeam won the stage and moved up to fourth in the general classification. Danilo Diluca of LPR Brakes attacked repeatedly in the effort to lose his shadow, Denis Menchov of Rabobank, but could not crack the imperturbable Russian. With the help of his team-mate Ivan Basso, Franco Pellizotti of Liquigas-Doimo solidified his podium position, which he should hold until Roma. It's down to the wire for this Giro Centenario, as the battle for the Maglia Rosa is not yet over. Only 18 seconds separates the two leading riders, Menchov and Diluca, with two stages to race... Read more of Gavia's Stage 19 commentary and check out the Stage 20 Preview

Stage 20 Start Time: Saturday 12:25 CET ();
Earliest live video: 14:45 CET ();
See all the live video, audio and text options
Approximate Finish: 17:17 CET ()

Stage 20 Preview and Google Earth Maps (also see previews for other stages)
Team rosters with bib numbers
Current Time, Weather and Wind Direction in Anagni, Italy

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Stage 19 results: Sastre wins his 2nd mountaintop finish; Di Luca unable to shake Menchov

9 Big Photos from Stage 19 — sirotti

Stage 19 results
1 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                      4.33.23            
2 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                               .21  
3 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                 .30
4 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                   .30
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                      .35
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                   .53
7 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale                         1.15

General classification after stage 19
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                              81.13.55
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                0.18
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                              1.39
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                         2.40
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                     3.33
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                  4.55
7 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo         8.48
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                 9.32

Full Results — cyclingnews
Sastre is de sterkste op de flanken van de Vesuvius — sporza.be
Sastre conquista il Vesuvio Menchov ha il Giro in tasca — gazzetta.it
Sastre venció en la cima del Vesubio — as
  Pre Stage 19 Show: Si Gira 19ª Tappa (20:37 Italiano) — rai
  Last Km Stage 19: L'ultimo chilometro della 19 tappa (05:49 Italiano) — rai
Volcanic victory for Sastre at the Giro — velonews
Sastre takes second Giro mountain stage; Menchov safe in pink — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Last Km: Laatste Kilometer van de 19e Etappe (07:41 Flemish) — sporza
  Intervista a Carlos Sastre (03:13 Italiano) — rai
  Intervista a Gilberto Simoni (01:26 Italiano) — rai
  Intervista a Denis Menchov (01:09 Spanish) — rai
  Post Stage Show and Highlights (25:37 Italiano) — rai
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
  Stage 19 Highlights (01:35) — eurosport
  Meet the Giro's wackiest fans (02:00) — eurosport
  Il racconto della 19/a tappa: Menchov, Di Luca, Sastre e Pellizotti (02:13) — gazzetta.it
Di Luca still hoping to snatch Giro lead from Menchov — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Sastre happy with Giro stage wins but hoped for more — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Graham Watson Stage 19 Photos — grahamwatson
9 Big Photos from Stage 19 — sirotti
  Lance and Levi Speak With Robbie Hunter Pre Stage 19 (06:42) — livestrong
Fireworks On Vesuvio — astana-cyclingteam
Challenge Is Rebuffed on Giro’s Final Climb — nytimes

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Stage 18 Analysis/ Stage 19 Race Preview

May 28 update: Today's stage followed a predictable pattern for a transition stage, a transition between two significant appointments for the general classification. A huge breakaway containing 25 riders departed after just 17 kilometers of racing. Michele Scarponi and Alessandro Bertolini played the role of provacateurs, making the first attacks of the day. The break soon swelled to include riders from nearly all the teams, and it was clear that they would be allowed to ride. Philip Deignan of Cervélo TestTeam, who crashed during yesterday's stage, joined the break today, but again suffered bad luck. Deignan, Francesco Gavazzi of Lampre-Ngc, and Andrey Zeits of Astana crashed when the breakaway hit a slippery descent during a period of intermittant rain. Fortunately all three proved able to rejoin the break... Read more of Gavia's Stage 18 commentary and check out the Stage 19 Preview

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Stage 18 results: Break succeeds; Michele Scarponi gets his 2nd win of this year's Giro

9 Big Photos from Stage 18 — sirotti

Stage 18 results
1 Michele Scarponi (Ita) S.Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli    4.07.41
2 Félix Cardenas (Col) Barloworld                                                  
3 Danny Pate (USA) Garmin - Slipstream                                             
4 Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Team Saxo Bank                                             
5 Dmytro Grabovskyy (Ukr) ISD                                                      
6 Dries Devenyns (Bel) Quick Step                                                  
7 Jason McCartney (USA) Team Saxo Bank                                             
8 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) ISD    

General classification after stage 18
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                              
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                0.26
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                              2.00
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                     3.28
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                         3.30
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                  4.32
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                 7.05
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo         8.03

Full Results...coming — cyclingnews
  Last Km (L'ultimo chilometro della 18ª tappa) (03:27 Italiano) — rai
  Last Km: Laatste Kilometer van de 18e Etappe (02:07 Flemish) — sporza
Michelle Scarponi wins the Giro's stage 18; Garmin's Pate is third — velonews
Girorit is halve kilometer te lang voor Devenyns — sporza.be
  Pre Stage 18 Show: SI GIRA 18ª TAPPA (19:32 Italiano) — rai
Levi Leipheimer interview: "Just hanging on now" — velonews
Benevento, colpo di Scarponi E domani c'è il Vesuvio / Benevento, Scarponi’s attack  Tomorrow on Mt. Vesuvius — gazzetta.it
  Lance talks with Chechu Pre Stage 18 (02:50) — livestrong
  Lance talks with Michael Barry Pre Stage 18 (02:38) — livestrong
Second Giro stage win for Scarponi — cyclingweekly.co.uk
AFP Photos — sport.yahoo
  Stage 18 Highlights (01:58) — eurosport
Graham Watson Stage 18 Photos — grahamwatson
9 Big Photos from Stage 18 — sirotti
  Post Stage Show and Highlights (26:09 Italiano) — rai
  Il rocconto della 18a tappa: La fuga verso Benevento: Scarponi, Cardenas, Grabovskyy (01:49 Italiano) — gazzetta.it
  I big alla vigilia del Vesuvio: Parlano Basso, Simoni, Cunego, Di Luca e Menchov (03:59 Italiano) — gazzetta.it
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 18 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
Will the Giro erupt on Mount Vesuvius? — cyclingweekly.co.uk

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Stage 17 Blockhaus Analysis/ Stage 18 Race Preview

May 27 update: Today's short stage from Chieti to the finish on the Blockhaus climb promised fireworks. And fireworks, it delivered. Franco Pellizotti of Liquigas-Doimo attacked from the bottom of the Blockhaus and rode the entirety of the climb off the front alone. Pellizotti won the stage and moved up to third in the general classification. Denis Menchov of Rabobank remains the race leader, but Danilo Diluca of LPR Brakes chipped away at his lead. Diluca gained a small gap over Menchov in the sprint to the line and took the time bonus for third place. Behind the podium, the general classification reshuffled as today's difficult climb shattered the race into small groups spread out over the slopes of the mountain... Read more of Gavia's Stage 17 commentary and check out the Stage 18 Preview

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Stage 17 results: Pellizotti attacks from a long way out and holds on; Menchov shows a slight crack; Sastre slips from 3rd to 5th on GC

9 Big Photos from Stage 17 — sirotti

Stage 17 results
1 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                             2.21.06  (35.294 km/h)
2 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo           0.42
3 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                  0.43
4 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                    0.48
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                       0.57
6 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.                          1.54
7 Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) Liquigas                                  1.55
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                   1.59
9 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                                                 
10 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana                                                         
11 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                                         
12 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale                                                
13 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) S. Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli      2.05
14 Francesco Masciarelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo     2.09
15 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Team Columbia - Highroad             2.17    

General classification after stage 17
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                              72.28.24
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                0.26
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                              2.00
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                     3.28
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                         3.30
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                  4.32
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                 7.05
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo         8.03

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Last Km Stage 17: L'ultimo chilometro della 17 tappa (05:10 Italiano) — rai
Pellizotti pounces at Blockhaus; Menchov defends lead — velonews
Pellizotti verovert Blockhaus, Mensjov houdt stand — sporza.be
  Pre Stage 17 Show: SI GIRA 17ª TAPPA (31:50 Italiano) — rai
  Lance and Popo Pre Stage 17 (04:32) — livestrong
  Last Km: Laatste Kilometer van de 17e Etappe (03:31 Flemish) — sporza
Il giorno di Pellizotti Menchov intoccabile — gazzetta.it
Pellizotti wins on Blockhaus, but Menchov remains in pink — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  L'intervista a Denis Menchov (00:58 Spanish) — rai
  Intervista a Franco Pellizotti (02:02 Italiano) — rai
  L'intervista Stefano Garzelli: Perche' Dovevo Avvantaggiare Di Luca? (02:42 Italiano) — rai
  L'amarezza di Cunego: "Dop questo Giro negativo devo riprogrammare le mie priorita" (01:26 Italiano) — gazzetta.it
9 Big Photos from Stage 17 — sirotti
Graham Watson Stage 17 Photos — grahamwatson
  Stage 17 Highlights (01:52) — eurosport
  RAI Highlights and Pre-Game Show (39:51 Italiano) — rai
Menchov brushes off boos and doping questions after the Blockhaus — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Di Luca promises to fight to the end for Giro success — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Parlano Menchov, Pellizotti e Sastre: il racconto della tappa del Blockhuas (02:44 Italiano) — gazzetta.it
Pellizotti Pounds Em — pezcyclingnews
AFP Photos — sports.yahoo
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 17 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 (08:00 total) — eurosport

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Tuesday is the 2nd and final rest day

May 26 update:
150 Big Photos from the first 16 stages — sirotti
Di Luca in two-man Giro race; Sunderland picks Menchov over Sastre; Leipheimer "not strong enough" in Petrano battle; Popovych nearly goes the distance; Changing terrain, changing fortunes — cyclingnews
  Lance and Levi after Stage 16: both agree it was the hardest day ever (03:51) — livestrong
Bruyneel tips Menchov to win Giro — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Di Luca out to topple Menchov on the Blockhaus — cyclingweekly.co.uk
John Wilcockson takes a look at the Giro's five tough remaining stages — velonews
Columbia-Highroad's Michael Barry gives an inside view of Monday's brutal Giro stage. — velonews
  RAI's Stage 17 Preview: Rush finale. Dopo l'ultimo riposo si riparte (02:18 Italiano) — rai

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Stage 16 "Queen Stage" Analysis/ Stage 17 Race Preview

May 25 update: Everyone predicted that today's mountain stage finishing on the Monte Petrano would reshuffle the general classification of this Giro Centenario. Russian Denis Menchov of Rabobank ably defended his race lead against determined attacks by Carlos Sastre of Cervélo TestTeam, Ivan Basso of Liquigas-Doimo, and Danilo Diluca of LPR Brakes. Menchov's position looks increasingly impregnable, as the Giro approaches its finale. Thanks to a big attack on the final climb, Carlos Sastre moved up to the podium today, while Ivan Basso tried to improve his position, but could not gain time over Menchov or Diluca. It was a rough day for American Levi Leipheimer of Astana, who suffered badly on the final climb of the day, and dropped to sixth in the general classification. As Stefano Garzelli put it after the stage, "Today, those who could attack, attacked." ... Read more of Gavia's Stage 16 commentary and check out the Stage 17 Preview

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Stage 16 results: The Queen Stage lives up to its billing; Carlos Sastre wins the sufferfest; Menchov looks good in Pink

9 Big Photos from Stage 16 — sirotti

Stage 16 results
1 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                      7.11.54
2 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                  0.25
3 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                0.26
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                     0.29
5 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo         1.19
6 Francesco Masciarelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo    1.21
7 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                  
8 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale                         2.11
9 Jose Serpa  S. Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli               2.35
10 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana                                 2.51
11 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana   

General classification after stage 16
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                              70.06.30
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                0.39
3 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                         2.19
4 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                              3.08
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                     3.19
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                  3.21
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                 5.54
8 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo         8.24

Full Results — cyclingnews
  The Finale: last 30 minutes of Monte Petrano (30:21 Italiano) — rai
Sastre conquers Monte Petrano — velonews
Sastre wins Giro stage on Monte Petrano — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Sastre slaat zijn slag in de koninginnenrit — sporza.be
  Last Km (03:21 Flemish) — sporza
Acuto di Sastre Menchov sempre rosa — gazzetta.it
  Lance and Levi with Jens Pre Stage 16 (05:21) — livestrong
Sastre saca la 'versión Alpe d''Huez' para subirse al podio; Menchov de rosa — as
Stage 16 photos — yahoo/ap
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
Graham Watson Stage 16 Photos — grahamwatson
  Stage 16 Highlights (01:15) — eurosport
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 16 (st 15 footage) Part 1...coming, Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
  Lance Armstrong interview prior to stage 16 (01:30 English) — gazzetta.it
  La delusione di Scarponi e Popovych: La fuga e il sogno svanito a pochi metri dal traguardo (01:12 Italiano) — gazzetta.it
  Giro il racconto della 16a tappa: La tappa piu attesa nei commenti di Sastre, Di Luca, Menchov, Basso e Leipheimer (04:05 Italiano/English) — gazzetta.it
Sastre Slashes Off Seconds — pezcyclingnews
On The Road To Monte Petrano — pezcyclingnews
Giro Britannia: A hard, hot slog in Italy — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Leipheimer: 'Lance had to wait for me today' — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Inside Cycling - Smart tactics can win this Giro — velonews
9 Big Photos from Stage 16 — sirotti
Exhausted riders past the finish line — podiumcafe
AP/Getty Images from this year's Giro d'Italia — orlandosentinel
Giro Brings Joy to an Earthquake-Rattled Region — nytimes
Sastre: “It’s not over yet” — gazzetta.it
Lance Armstrong post-race: "Tough stage. Maybe one of the hardest I have ever seen. Relentless climbing and oppressive heat."

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Stage 15 Analysis/ Stage 16 "Queen Stage" Race Preview

Bertagnoli Wins Solo Thanks to Cervélo TestTeam
Basso goes on the attack, but fails to advance

May 24 update: The early breakaway survived again today, and Leonardo Bertagnolli celebrated a solo victory in Faenza after a lengthy ride off the front of the Giro. Bertagnolli's win came thanks to a questionable call from the Cervélo management to call Serge Pauwels back from the break to support team captain Carlos Sastre. The big move of the day came from Ivan Basso, who made a big effort to climb up the general classification by attacking on the second to last climb, the Monte Casale. Despite the contributions of Stefano Garzelli who joined Basso's move, Basso never achieved more than a minute over the group of the favorites. Behind him, alliances shifted and changed among the other general classification riders, and they succeeded in neutralizing the Liquigas-Doimo rider's attack. The top of the general classification remains largely unchanged after today's very fast stage... Read more of Gavia's Stage 15 commentary and check out the Stage 16 Preview

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Stage 15 results: Leonardo Bertagnolli gets a solo win in his home region for his first at the Giro d'Italia

9 Big Photos from Stage 15 — sirotti

Stage 15 results
1 Leonardo Bertagnolli (Ita) S. Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli     4.18.34   
2 Serge Pauwels (Bel) Cervelo Test Team                                 0.54           
3 Marco Pinotti (Ita) Team Columbia - Highroad                          0.54            
4 Lars Ytting Bak (Den) Team Saxo Bank                                  0.54        
5 Marco Marzano (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.                                   0.56          
6 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) ISD                                               1.27        
7 Mauro Facci (Ita) Quick Step                                          1.49        
8 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale                                 1.51

General classification after stage 15
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                           
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                       0.34
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                         0.43
4 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                     2.00
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                                2.52
6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                            3.03
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                        3.05

Full Results — cyclingnews
Bertagnolli outlasts a crumbling break, chase — velonews
  Bertagnolli wint 15e Giro-rit voor Pauwels — sporza.be
  Last Km (L'ultimo chilometro della 15ª tappa) (04:26 Italiano) — rai
  Pre Stage 15 Show (29:05 Italiano) — rai
  Lance Pre Stage 15 in the team truck (03:39) — livestrong
  Lance, Levi and Mick Rogers Pre Stage 15 (03:26) — livestrong
Basso risponde presente Ma gioisce Bertagnolli / Basso hangs in there but Bertagnolli wins the day — gazzetta.it
Bertagnolli Solos Home! — pezcyclingnews
  Stage 15 Highlights (01:45) — eurosport
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
  Post Stage 16 Show/Highlights (29:33 Italiano) — rai
  il racconto della 14/a tappa: Parlano Di Luca, Garzelli, Pellizotti e Bertagnolli (03:08 Italiano) — gazzetta.it
  I big "leggono" la tappa di Monte Petrano: Basso, Pellizotti, Di Luca e Garzelli fanno le carte alla frazione pie attesa (02:14 Italiano) — gazzetta.it
Graham Watson Stage 15 Photos — grahamwatson
9 Big Photos from Stage 15 — sirotti
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 15 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
Bertagnolli gifted Giro stage win by Cervelo mix up — cyclingweekly.co.uk
A disappointing day for all in the Giro — cervelo
Temperatures Soar And The Racing Heats Up At The Giro — astana-cyclingteam
Basso discovers he has few friends at the Giro d'Italia — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Basso: "Unsatisfactory result" Garzelli: "We’ll pay for the exertion" — gazzetta.it

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Stage 14 Analysis/ Stage 15 Race Preview

Gerrans Escapes and Wins
An isolated LPR Brakes fails to deliver Diluca, Menchov still in Pink

May 23 update: Today's stage ended with a successful breakaway. Simon Gerrans of Cervélo TestTeam won the stage ahead of breakaway partners Rubens Bertogliati of Diquigiovanni-Androni and Francesco Gavazzi of Lampre-Ngc. Denis Menchov successfully defended the Maglia Rosa, and remains 34 seconds ahead of Danilo Diluca and 43 seconds ahead of Levi Leipheimer of Astana... Read more of Gavia's Stage 14 commentary and check out the Stage 15 Preview

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Stage 14 results: A break succeeds on another fast day; Simon Gerrans gets his 2nd Grand Tour win and the first for Cervelo Test Team

9 Big Photos from Stage 14 — sirotti

Stage 14 results
1 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Cervelo Test Team                              4.16.48
2 Rubens Bertaglioti (Ita) Diquigiovanni                                0.12
3 Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.                               0.18
4 Evgeny Petrov (Rus) Team Katusha                                      0.24
5 Philip Deignan (Irl) Cervelo Test Team                                0.27
6 Christopher Froome (GBr) Barloworld                                   0.36
7 Vasili Kiryienka (Blr) Caisse d'Epargne                               0.41
8 Francesco Reda (Ita) Quick Step                                       1.01
9 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) ISD                                               1.04
10 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                               

General classification after stage 14
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                           
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                       0.34
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                         0.43
4 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                     2.00
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                                2.52
6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                            3.03
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                        3.05
8 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) S.Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli             5.17

Full Results — cyclingnews
Gerrans viert in Bologna, Mensjov houdt stand — sporza.be
Cervelo's Gerrans wins at San Luca in classic style — velonews
  Last Km Stage 14 (L'ultimo chilometro della 14ª tappa) (06:03 Italiano) — rai
  Last Km — sporza
Gerrans vince a Bologna / Gerrans wins in Bologna — gazzetta.it
  L'intervista a Franco Pellizotti (00:43 Italiano) — rai
  Lance and Levi Talk to Dave Zabriskie (02:02) — livestrong
  Stage 14 Highlights (01:45) — eurosport
  Post Stage 14 Show/Highlights (51:27 Italiano) — rai
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
Graham Watson Stage 14 Photos — grahamwatson
9 Big Photos from Stage 14 — sirotti
  Lance talks to a reticent Janez Brajkovic pre stage 14 (02:36) — livestrong
  Lance talks to birthday boy Alain "Froggy" Gallopin about stage 14 (03:55) — livestrong
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 14 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
  Di Luca, "It’s not over. But where was Liquigas?" — gazzetta.it
  Simon Gerrans post stage interview and others (02:22 English/Italiano) — gazzetta.it
Gerrans solos to Giro stage 14 win — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Froome agonisingly close to stage victory: "I needed a extra gear, maybe a 27 cog, to spin more. It felt like my legs just seized up.” — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Gerrans Takes It Atop The San Luca — pezcyclingnews
Australian Wins Stage 14 of Giro After Exhausting Final Climb — nytimes

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Stage 13 Analysis/ Stage 14 Race Preview

Cavendish Makes it Three
More polemica between Petacchi and Farrar, general classification unchanged

May 22 update: Finally, the Giro enjoyed a routine flat stage today, in which an early break went up the road, only to be caught in the final kilometers. Mark Cavendish of Columbia-High Road showed again the speed that has lately made him cycling's fastest sprinter, and won the stage in Firenze. Alessandro Petacchi of LPR Brakes finished second, Allan Davis of Quick Step was third. The standings in the general classification did not change... Read more of Gavia's Stage 13 commentary and check out the Stage 14 Preview (links fixed)

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Stage 13 results: The birthday (+1) boy Mark Cavendish gets his third Giro win this year; Team Columbia provides another great leadout

9 Big Photos from Stage 13 — sirotti

Stage 13 results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - Highroad          
2 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini    
3 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step                           
4 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld                         
5 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream                 
6 Juan José Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank                   
7 Robert Forster (Ger) Team Milram                       
8 Ben Swift (GBr) Team Katusha                                

General classification after stage 13
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                           
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                             0.34
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                               0.40
4 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                           2.00
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                                      2.52
6 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                              2.58
7 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                                  3.00
8 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli      4.38
9 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad                             5.53
10 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                                       5.55

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Last Km — sporza
Cavendish klopt Petacchi en pakt derde zege — sporza.be
Giro's 13th stage is lucky for Cavendish — velonews
Horrillo's condition improving after Giro crash — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Cavendish cala il tris Petacchi, sconfitta e rabbia — gazzetta.it
Cavendish takes his third Giro win and prepares to head home — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Stage 13 Pre-Game Show (19:24 Italiano) — rai
  Last Km Stage 13 (L'ultimo chilometro della 13ª tappa) (05:54 Italiano) — rai
  Lance and Levi before Stage 13 (02:53) — livestrong
Cavendish quits Giro d'Italia — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Cheeky Cipo sneaks a ride at the Giro — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Stage 13 Highlights (01:45) — eurosport
9 Big Photos from Stage 13 — sirotti
Graham Watson Stage 13 Photos — grahamwatson
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 13 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
  Levi Leiphiemer interview (01:37 English) — gazzetta.it
  Post-race interviews with Cavendish, Renshaw and Petacchi (02:09 English/Italiano) — gazzetta.it
  Post Stage 13 Show/Highlights (29:34 Italiano) — rai
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
Lance vs the press, some things never change — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Giro di PEZ: On The Lido Deck — pezcyclingnews

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Stage 12 Analysis/ Stage 13 Race Preview

Menchov Goes Big: Menchov takes stage win and jersey, still an open Giro

May 21 update: Russian Denis Menchov of Rabobank won the long time trial of the Giro Centenario and took the overall lead in the general classification. Today marked Menchov's second stage win of this year's Giro d'Italia, after he won the mountain stage finishing at the Alpe di Siusi. Menchov becomes the first Russian to wear the Pink Jersey since Pavel Tonkov twelve years ago. The general classification remains close, with Danilo Diluca of LPR Brakes sitting 34 seconds behind Menchov. Levi Leipheimer of Astana is currently third at 40 seconds down. With over a week of riding to go, including three mountain top finishes, this Giro Centenario remains an open race... Read more of Gavia's Stage 12 commentary and check out the Stage 13 Preview

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Stage 12 results: Denis Menchov wins the long ITT and moves into Pink

9 Big Photos from Stage 12 — sirotti

Stage 12 results
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                            1.34.29
2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                               0.20
3 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo                      1.03
4 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana                                               1.14
5 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                           1.27
6 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                             1.57
7 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream                                  1.59
8 Gabriele Bosisio (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                           2.04
9 Jose Serpa (Col) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli           2.13
10 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.                                    2.17                                

General classification after stage 12
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                           50.27.17
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                             0.34
3 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                               0.40
4 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                           2.00
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                                      2.52
6 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                              2.58
7 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                                  3.00
8 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli      4.38
9 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad                             5.53
10 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                                       5.55

Full Results — cyclingnews
Menchov wins stage 12 time trial at Cinque Terre and takes lead. Leipheimer is second — velonews
Denis Mensjov rijdt Di Luca uit het roze — sporza.be
Menchov colpo grosso — gazzetta.it
  Stage 12 Pre-Game Show (lots of nice scenery) (19:02 Italiano) — rai
Photographers and riders hold a minute of silence to pay respect to photographer's motorbike pilot Fabio Saccani — sports.yahoo
  Stage 12 Menchov and Di Luca TT Finish/ (Last Kms) (8:42 Italiano) — rai
  L'intervista a Danilo Di Luca (1:00 Italiano) — rai
Menchov storms to Giro TT win and race lead — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Russian To Victory! — pezcyclingnews
  Lance and Team Astana Before Giro's Time Trial (02:07) — livestrong
Graham Watson Stage 12 Photos — grahamwatson
  Stage 12 Highlights (01:45) — eurosport
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 11 Part 1; Giro Stage 12 Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
Menchov meets the press — velonews
  Post Stage 12 Show/Highlights (30:20 Italiano) — rai
  Stage 12 Highlights (03:19 Italiano) — rai
  Johann Bruyneel interview after the ITT — gazzetta.it
L'emozione di Menchov "Dedicato a Horrillo" / Menchov overcome with emotion "Dedicated to Horrillo" — gazzetta.it
L'intervista a Basso, Garzelli, Pellizotti, Leiphiemer: Crono, parlano gli altri "vincitori" (02:28) — gazzetta.it
L'intervista a Carlos Sastre Parla lo spagnolo della Cervelo (02:06) — gazzetta.it
9 Big Photos from Stage 12 — sirotti
... more to come ...

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Stage 11 Analysis/ Stage 12 Race Preview

Cavendish Again; Tomorrow, the much-anticipated Cinque Terre Crono

May 20 update: Today was a day for the sprinters, an abbreviated version of the Spring classic, Milano-Sanremo. Mark Cavendish of Columbia-High Road won his second stage of this Giro. Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Slipstream finished second, Alessandro Petacchi of LPR Brakes reached the line third. The general classification did not change today, and Danilo Diluca again wore the pink jersey of race leader. In disappointing news for Astana, Chris Horner did not start today, due to injuries from a crash at the end of yesterday's stage. After 15 kilometeres of racing, classics talent Joaquim Rodriguez of Caisse d'Épargne also left the race... Read more of Gavia's Stage 11 commentary and read the Stage 12 Preview

Stage 12 Time-Trial Start Order and Times

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Stage 11 results: Textbook sprint finish win by Team Columbia

9 Big Photos from Stage 11 — sirotti

Stage 11 results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - Highroad                             
2 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream                                    
3 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                       
4 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step                                              
5 Sébastien Hinault (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale                                  
6 Davide Vigano (Ita) Fuji-Servetto                                         
7 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team Columbia - Highroad                       
8 Alexander Serov (Rus) Team Katusha                                   

General classification after stage 11
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini  
2 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                 1.20
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                1.33
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                 1.40
5 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                             1.53
6 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                        1.53
7 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                    2.03

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Last Km — sporza
Astana's Chris Horner leaves the Giro following a crash early on stage 10 — velonews
Cavendish strikes again; Farrar second in the finale of Giro transition stage — velonews
Cavendish romps to second Giro stage win — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Pre Game Show for Stage 11 (19:09 Italiano) — rai
  Lance Before Stage 11 Update (01:59) — livestrong
Cavendish senza rivali Petacchi terzo con polemica — gazzetta.it
  Last Km Stage 11 (L'ultimo chilometro della 11ª tappa) (06:18 Italiano) — rai
  L'intervista a Alessandro Petacchi (00:56 Italiano) — rai
9 Big Photos from Stage 11 — sirotti
  Levi talks about his crash today — facebook
  Tribute to Giro motorcyclist Fabio Saccani (01:08) — eurosport
  Tom Danielson: "A Grand Tour is the hardest sporting event in the world" (01:22) — cycleto
  Levi's Prep for the Giro TT — cycleto
  Johann Bruyneel answers questions about the ITT — gazzetta.it
  Basso presenta la maxi-cronometro — gazzetta.it
Graham Watson Stage 11 Photos — grahamwatson
  Basso presenta la maxi-cronometro — gazzetta.it
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
A Grand Effort in a Grand Tour — astana-cyclingteam
  Post Stage 11 Show/Highlights (30:03 Italiano) — rai

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May 20 update: From Johan Bruyneel on Twitter: We started with unpleasant news today. Chris Horner was unable to start the stage due to injuries of yesterday's crash. Bummer! We'll miss him.
Rogers limits losses before Giro time trial; Horner abandons after epic stage; Team Columbia pays off for sponsors — cyclingnews
"This race has much bigger coverage than it did last year, I would say in the [leader's] jersey is worth around a million euro in advertising a day," the team's general manager, Bob Stapleton, told Cyclingnews.

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Stage 10 Analysis/ Stage 11 Race Preview

Solo in Pinerolo; Diluca takes second stage win, adds to overall lead

May 19 update: Danilo Diluca continued his torrid run through the early stages of this Giro d'Italia, taking out his second stage win of the race. Wearing the pink jersey of race leader, Diluca rode solo into Pinerolo, crossing the line 10 seconds ahead of the next group on the road. He also won a 20 second time bonus at the finish. The Italian now holds 1:20 over second placed Denis Menchov of Rabobank and 1:33 over Michael Rogers of Columbia-High Road... Read more of Gavia's Stage 10 commentary and read the Stage 11 Preview

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Stage 10 results: Di Luca extends his overall lead with his second stage win

Another Killer performance today
9 Big Photos from Stage 10 — sirotti

Stage 10 results
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini            6.30.43
2 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                             0.10
3 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 
4 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team 
5 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                          0.26
6 Juan Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld                         0.29
7 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                   
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                 

General classification after stage 10
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini  
2 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                 1.20
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                1.33
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                 1.40
5 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                             1.53
6 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                        1.53
7 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                    2.03

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Last Km — sporza
Race leader Danilo Di Luca stomps, wins the Giro's 'Queen Stage' with a solo attack — velonews
Danilo Di Luca lays down the gauntlet — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Di Luca show in salita — gazzetta.it
  Lance and Levi Preview Giro's Stage 10 (01:51) — livestrong
  Last Km Stage 10 (L'ultimo chilometro della 10ª tappa) (07:32 Italiano) — rai
  L'intervista a Danilo Di Luca: "Oggi era una tappa adatta a me" (11:15 Italiano) — rai
  L'intervista a Franco Pellizotti: "Danilo sta andando forte" (00:41 Italiano) — rai
  L'intervista a Stefano Garzelli: "Non pensavo di andare così forte" (01:09 Italiano) — rai
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (2+ hours) — universalsports
Stage 9 photos — yahoo/ap
Graham Watson Stage 10 Photos — grahamwatson
  Stage 10 Highlights (01:35) — eurosport
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 10 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 (08:00 total) — eurosport
9 Big Photos from Stage 10 — sirotti
Chris Horner Blog: Nothing to say but...EPIC! — blog.oregonlive
Sestrière Descent Photos — cycleto
  Lance and Levi Post Stage 10 Update (04:35) — livestrong
A Grand Effort in a Grand Tour — astana-cyclingteam
  Post Stage 10 Show/Highlights (33:17 Italiano) — rai

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Historic Mountain Stage Today: Stage 10 Race Preview

May 19 update: The Giro Centenario heads into the Northwest corner of Italy to Piedmont during Stage 10. Pass the Barolo. Barolo, made from the Nebbiolo grape, comes from Piedmont. The stage begins in Cuneo, which which dates from 1189 and sits on a "bump" at the confluence of the Stura and Gesso rivers. In 2008, the 16th stage of the Tour de France departed from Cuneo. The Tour caravan also spent the previous day in Cuneo, the first rest day in Tour history spent outside France.... Read more of Gavia's Stage 10 preview

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Monday is a rest day

May 18 update:
90+ Big Photos from all the first nine stages — sirotti
McCartney, Saxo Bank biding time at Giro — velonews
How are the Giro favourites doing? — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Farrar fine tunes Giro sprint; Horrillo out of coma and improving; Giro director angry over protest; Two teams dominate first week — cyclingnews
The Giro's Milanese farce: who was to blame? — bikeradar
  Lance Update on Rest Day 1; Milano Circuit Race Aftermath (07:03) — livestrong
  Bob Stapleton discusses Columbia's GC Plans (01:50) — cycleto
  Follow around Mario Cipollini (01:22) — cycleto
Leipheimer ideally placed for the "real" Giro — velonews
  Le reazioni alle polemiche di Milano: Parlano Basso, Pellizotti, Simoni e Bartolni (03:38 Italiano) — gazzetta.it
Long-Ago Rivalry Still Stirs Passion at the Giro d'Italia: Revisiting Coppi and Bartali — nytimes
Former champion Basso apologises for Giro protest — guardian.co.uk

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Stage 9 Analysis/ Stage 10 Race Preview Update

Polemica! Milano Circuit Neutralized
Cavendish wins in Milano after riders refuse to race

May 17 update: It was a day of polemica at the Giro as the riders refused to race, protesting the danger of the Milano circuit and the risks of the previous stages. The race organizers agreed before the start of the day to neutralize the stage for the general classification riders. But leading riders in the Giro field decided this was not enough, and on the road, they agreed not to contest the stage until the final kilometers...

... Read more of Gavia's Stage 9 commentary and the Preview for Stage 10 (Monday is a rest day)

After stage 9, a furious Angelo Zomegnan, who is the Giro director had this to say: "This [the rider protest] was premeditated. What's more, hardly sitting on their bikes, the riders were obviously perplexed by certain features, fears that we shared, and we nuetralized the course. In the first 4 laps, they rode at 33 kilometers per hour, in the final three at 50 km/hr: The course was not that difficult. Yesterday at Bergamo, I cancelled all the celebrations, because not far away, there was a young man, Horrillo, who was at risk for his life. This gesture of the riders did not show respect to the Giro or to the people of Milano. The fact is that this circuit should continually have raised the action. It is necessary to get up into the saddle: When one becomes old, the legs grow shorter, the tongue grows longer." Source, Gazzetta dello Sport.

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Stage 9 results: Mark Cavendish wins the controversial Milano circuit race

Sciopero! (Midrace Strike)
12 Big Photos from Stage 9 — sirotti and dotcycling

Stage 9 results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia-Highroad
2 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
3 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Slipstream
4 Matthew Goss (Aus) Saxo Bank

General classification after stage 9
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini           
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad               0.13
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                0.44
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                 0.51
5 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                 0.58
6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                    1.14
7 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                        1.24
8 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana                              1.25
9 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                             1.35
10 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                         1.49        

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Riders mid-race protest over course safer: road furniture and lack of course marshalls cited — sporza
  Last Km — sporza
Riders stage go-slow protest during Giro stage in Milan — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Cav' wins a sleeper in Milano — velonews
Milano Rolling Protest: The Aftermath — podiumcafe
Graham Watson Stage 9 Photos — grahamwatson
A Milano vince la polemica — gazzetta.it
  Le reazioni del gruppo dopo le polemiche: Intervista Di Luca, Cipo, Dino Meneghin, Bruyneel — gazzetta.it
  Stage 9 Highlights (02:24) — eurosport
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 9 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
Stage 9 photos — edward madden
  Last Km Stage 9 (L'ultimo chilometro della 9ª tappa) (01:16 Italiano) — rai
  Post Stage 9 Show/Highlights (36:56 Italiano) — rai
Cyclists Stage Protest Over Safety in Italian Race — nytimes
12 Big Photos from Stage 9 — sirotti and dotcycling
Chris Horner Blog: Protest closes good first week for Astana; now the real Giro begins — blog.oregonlive
Milan riders' protest: Justified or a farce? — cyclingweekly.co.uk

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Stage 8 Analysis/ Stage 9 Race Preview Update

Two in a Row for Columbia; Sivtsov Wins the Stage, Diluca Still in Pink

May 16 update: A Mr. Toad's Wild Ride of a stage, today, as a big move lit up the final climb of the day, the Colle Gallo. But LPR Brakes proved too vigilant to be caught out, and Danilo Di Luca actually increased his overall lead with a 3rd place time bonus at the finish.. Kanstantsin Sivtsov won the stage today, making it two in a row after yesterday's win of Edvald Boasson Hagen in Chiavenna...

... Read more of Gavia's Stage 8 commentary and the Preview for Stage 9

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Stage 8 results: Siutsou solos into Bergamo; Team Columbia almost sweeps the podium

9 Big Photos from Stage 8 — sirotti

Stage 8 results
1 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Columbia-Highroad            5.04.34
2 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Columbia-Highroad              0.21
3 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini
4 Michael Rogers (Aus) Columbia-Highroad
5 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
6 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo
7 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini
8 Joaquím Rodríguez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre-NGC 

General classification after stage 8
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini           33.13.35
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad               0.13
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad                0.44
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                 0.51
5 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                 0.58
6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                    1.14
7 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                        1.24
8 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana                              1.25
9 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                             1.35
10 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                         1.49        

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Last Km — sporza
Siutsou takes stage 8 in solo break — velonews
No sympathy for Armstrong from Giro boss — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Columbia Again! Now Siutsou — pezcyclingnews
  Last Km Stage 8 (L'ultimo chilometro della 8ª tappa) (05:42 Italiano) — rai
  Intervista al Vincitore Della Tappa: Siutsou (03:24 Italiano) — rai
  Lance Team Bus Chronicles: Pre Stage 8 (01:40) — livestrong
Horrillo in medically induced coma after crash catapults him into ravine — velonews
  Last 26 minutes: Part 1 (09:25), Part 2 (09:43) and Part 3 (08:19) — rai tre
  Stage 8 Highlights (01:54) — eurosport
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 8 Part 1 and Part 2 (05:00 total) — eurosport
9 Big Photos from Stage 8 — sirotti
Graham Watson Stage 8 Photos — grahamwatson
  RAI Post Stage 8 Show/Highlights (TGiro 8ª Tappa) (38:00 Italiano) — rai
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (3+ hours) — universalsports
  Lance/Astana team dinner post Stage 8 (01:57) — livestrong
Chris Horner's post stage 8 report — blog.oregonlive
  Bob Stapleton: what winning in Bergamo means for his Team Columbia — gazzetta.it
"Me chiamo Pedro" (My name is Pedro): English translation of El Pais article describing Pedro Horrillo's crash — newcyclingpathways.blogspot
Horner Works And Works...And Works Some More — astana-cyclingteam
  Johan Bruyneel: "It wasn't a planned attack" — gazzetta.it

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Stage 7 Analysis/ Stage 8 Race Preview Update

Rain Dance: Edvald Boasson Hagen Wins in Chiavenna!
Diluca remains the race leader after long, wet day of racing

May 15 update: Today's stage unfolded under cold, wet conditions. In good weather, this stage would have ranked very high in the all-important picturesque classification, as the road passed Alpine lakes and the crenellated peaks of the high Alps. Today, it was all a bit grim, as the riders huddled under rain capes and winter layers and snow piled up along the roadside at the higher elevations...

... Read more of Gavia's Stage 7 commentary and the Preview for Stage 8

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Stage 7 results: Edvald Boasson Hagen wins the bunch sprint in Chiavenna in wet conditions

9 Big Photos from Stage 7 — sirotti

Stage 7 results
1 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Columbia-Highroad
2 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld
3 Pavel Brutt (Rus) Katusha
4 Davide Viganò (Ita) Fuji-Servetto
5 Alessandro Bertolini (Ita) Diquigiovanni-Androni
6 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) ISD                              0.31
7 Matthew Goss (Aus) Saxo Bank                         0.40
8 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 

General classification after stage 7
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini           
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad       0.05        
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad        0.36         
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                         0.43             
5 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                         0.50                 
6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                            1.06                  
7 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                1.16                
8 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana                      1.17  

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Last Km — sporza
Astana riders wear 'faded' kit in protest over unpaid wages — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Columbia's Boasson Hagen wins Giro stage 7 — velonews
Boasson Hagen Splashes to Victory! — pezcyclingnews
  Lance Team Bus Chronicles: Pre Stage 7 (00:49) — livestrong
  Last Km Stage 7 (L'ultimo chilometro della 7ª tappa) (04:05 Italiano) — rai
  L'intervista a Boasson Hagen/Interview with Boasson Hagen (00:49 English/Italiano) — rai
  "Basso tipped to challenge for Giro"... no kidding (01:40) — eurosport
Boasson Hagen è un fulmine — gazzetta.it
  Stage 7 Highlights and interviews with Boasson Hagen, Rogers and Di Luca (02:18) — eurosport
Chris Horner's post stage report — blog.oregonlive
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 7 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
9 Big Photos from Stage 7 — sirotti
Graham Watson Stage 7 Photos — grahamwatson
Giro Tech' - The TV crew — velonews
  RAI Post Stage 7 Show/Highlights (29:00 Italiano) — rai
Armstrong 'livid' at dangerous Giro stage — cyclingweekly.co.uk
No sympathy for Armstrong from Giro boss — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Schermaglie tra i big E domani volatona — gazzetta.it

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Stage 6 Analysis/ Stage 7 Race Preview Update

Scarponi Contra Tutti: Scarponi wins the stage, Diluca holds the jersey

May 14 update: Today's stage 6 from Bressanone to Mayrhofen, begged for a breakaway, and a breakaway it received. An early move escaped from the main field on the first climb of the day, the Felbertauern. Only one survived to the finish. After 193 kilometers off the front, Michele Scarponi of Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni Androni celebrated in Mayerhoffen his first ever Giro d'Italia stage win...

... Read more of Gavia's Stage 6 commentary and the Preview for Stage 7 (includes Google Earth )

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Stage 6 results: The "mange dog" Michele Scarponi solos into Mayrhofen AT for his first Giro win on a long, tough day. No change at the top of the GC

9 Big Photos from Stage 6 — sirotti

Stage 6 results
1 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni    5.49.55 
2 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team Columbia - Highroad       0.32 
3 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step                
4 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Team Katusha 
5 Matthew Goss (Aus) Team Saxo Bank  
6 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Silence-Lotto 
7 Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.  
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad             0.36 
9 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini 
10 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale

General classification after stage 6
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini   22.11.15        
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad       0.05        
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad        0.36         
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                         0.43             
5 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                         0.50                 
6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                            1.06                  
7 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                1.16                
8 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana                      1.17  

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Last Km — sporza
Scarponi wins longest stage with a big break — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Michele Scarponi wins stage in a long breakaway, Di Luca retains the maglia rosa — velonews
Scarponi Slays 'Em Alone! — pezcyclingnews
  Last Km Stage 6: Scarponi Solitario (L'ultimo chilometro della 6ª tappa) (02:10 Italiano) — rai
9 Big Photos from Stage 6 — sirotti
  Stage 6 Highlights (01:19) — eurosport
  Is the focus on Lance Armstrong justified? (01:57) — eurosport
Graham Watson Stage 6 Photos — grahamwatson
Armstrong sees Leipheimer in pink — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Wiggins: 'I can't keep smashing away on the climbs' — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast — universalsports
Il giorno di Scarponi — gazzetta.it
Scarponi festeggia: "Che faticaccia" — gazzetta.it
Armstrong relaxed and philosophical — velonews
Chris Horner's post stage report — blog.oregonlive
  Last 5 Km (08:50) — sporza
  Last 16 minutes: Part 1 (07:30) and Part 2 (08:24) — rai tre
  Con le interviste a Di Luca, Scarponi, Pozzato, Garzelli, Basso, Petacchi (03:45) — gazzetta.it
  Lance Armstrong post stage 6 comments (01:03) — gazzetta.it
Piccola Polemica: Cunego Speaks His Mind — podiumcafe
  RAI Post Stage 6 Show/Highlights (23:23 Italiano) — rai
  RAI Post Race Roundtable/Interviews (1:10:59 Italiano) — rai

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Stage 5 Analysis/ Race Preview Update

No Place to Hide: Denis Menchov Wins on the Alpe di Siusi
Danilo Diluca Wears Pink

May 13 update: The high mountains have a way of stripping away the façade of bravado and separating the strong from the hopeful. As expected, today's final climb, the 25 kilometer Alpe di Siusi, created a selection among the riders for the general classification, though perhaps not a decisive one. Stage races are often a battle of inches, each incremental advance adding up to final victory. So it was with today's race, as a few riders dropped out of contention for the general classification, but many remain very closely matched indeed...

... Read more of Gavia's Stage 5 commentary and the Preview for Stage 6 (includes Google Earth )

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Stage 5 results: Denis Menchov dances away in the last 500m to claim the second mountain stage; Danilo di Luca is now in pink

Ivan Basso drove the pace on the top half of Alpe di Siusi
9 Big Photos from Stage 5 — sirotti

Stage 5 results
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                    3.15.23
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini     0.02
3 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad     0.05
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                              
5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                       0.09
6 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana                        
7 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                  
8 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                    
9 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad 

General classification after stage 5
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini   16.20.44        
2 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad       0.05        
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad        0.36         
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                         0.43             
5 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                         0.50                 
6 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                            1.06                  
7 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team                1.16                
8 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana                      1.17  

Full Results — cyclingnews
  Last Km — sporza
Menchov wins stage 5; Di Luca in pink — velonews
Di Luca maglia rosa Basso torna grande — gazzetta.it
  Last Km Stage 5 (L'ultimo chilometro della 5ª tappa) (03:01 Italiano) — rai
  L'intervista al vincitore della tappa/Interview w/ Denis Menchov (01:22 Italiano) — rai
  Lance Armstrong interview post-race (00:54) — rai
9 Big Photos from Stage 5 — sirotti
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (3+ hours) — universalsports
  Stage 5 Highlights (01:23) — eurosport
Menchov wins mountain battle as Di Luca grabs the pink jersey — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Armstrong after Giro stage 5: 'That was hard' — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Horner and Leipheimer move up on GC — astana-cyclingteam
Astana will wear new kit at the Giro this week to signal upcoming changes at the team — velonews
Menchov Kills The Killer — pezcyclingnews
Chris Horner's post stage report — blog.oregonlive
Graham Watson Stage 5 Photos — grahamwatson
Wiggins eyes top 20 finish in Giro d'Italia — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Post Stage 5 Quotes — dailypeloton
Post-Dolomiti Power Poll! — podiumcafe
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 5 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (06:00 total) — eurosport
  Extended Alpe di Siusi Highlights: Part 1 (09:59), Part 2 (09:59). Part 3 (09:59) and . Part 4 (04:28) — british eurosport

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Stage 4 Analysis/ Race Preview Update

Fast and Furious: Diluca Wins!

May 12 update: The Giro Centenario headed into the mountains today, for the first uphill finish. As mountain stages go, this one was not especially difficult and a large group survived to contest the finish. Over the first climb of the day, the Croce d'Aune, the sprinters gruppetto formed, and Aleassandro Petacchi conceded the race lead. By the base of the final climb of the day to San Martino di Castrozza, the pink jersey sat 8 minutes behind the main field...

... Read more of Gavia's Post Stage 4 commentary and the Preview for Stage 5 (includes Google Earth )

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Stage 4 results: The steady climb to San Martino di Castrozza ends in a killer finish; Di luca passes Soler before the line

9 Big Photos from Stage 4 — sirotti

Stage 4 results
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                           
2 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo                    
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas                                         
4 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld                                          
5 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli    
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                             
7 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad                           
8 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas                                                
9 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank                                             
10 David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                                     
11 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana                                          
12 Christopher Horner (USA) Astana                                         
13 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale                                   
14 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.

General classification after stage 4
1 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad 
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini 

Full Results — cyclingnews
Di Luca denies Soler on the line, Lovkvist takes pink jersey — cyclingweekly.co.uk
  Last Km — sporza
Di Luca wins Giro stage 4 — velonews
  Last Km Stage 4 (L'ultimo chilometro della 4ª tappa) — rai
  Intervista a Danilo Di Luca (00:26) — rai
Fulmine Di Luca Lövkvist va in rosa — gazzetta.it
9 Big Photos from Stage 4 — sirotti
Graham Watson Stage 4 Photos — grahamwatson
Team Astana Rides Well In The Mountains — astana-cyclingteam
  Lance Team Bus Chronicles: Pre Stage 4 (01:22) — livestrong
  RAI Post Stage 4 Show/Highlights (34:24 Italiano) — rai
  Planet Armstrong: Giro Stage 4 Part 1 (02:16) and Part 2 (02:12) — eurosport
  Stage 4 Highlights (01:17) — eurosport
Armstrong happy with Giro stage 4 performance — cyclingweekly.co.uk
You Know Who Keeps Riders on Edge of Seats — nytimes

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Stage 3 Analysis/ Race Preview Update

All Alessandro! Alessandro Petacchi wins the stage, takes the Pink

May 11 update: The narrow serpentine roads of the run-in to Valdobbiadene made for hectic racing in today's stage 3. Liquigas set a high pace, that left many riders scrambling out the back. Inside 20 kilometers to ride, Thomas Voeckler made a short-lived dash for freedom. Ex-rider and Eurosport commentator Sean Kelly did not approve, calling the move a wasted effort. Kelly proved correct, as the field brought Voeckler back into the fold. With approximately 10 kilometers to ride, a crash brought the bunch to a complete halt. At the time, small break, which included general classification rider Levi Leipheimer, was up the road, and looked ready to run away with the stage. Some quick work from Liquigas and LPR Brakes soon brought the field back together, and a sprint looked increasingly likely. Caught behind the split, Mark Cavendish never made it back to the main field, out of the sprint and the race lead...

... Read more of Gavia's Post Stage 3 commentary and Preview Stage 4 (includes Google Earth )

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Stage 3 results: Alessandro Petacchi claims another tricky sprint finish

9 Big Photos from Stage 3 — sirotti

Stage 3 results
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini
2 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Slipstream
3 Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Lampre-NGC
4 Dario Cataldo (Ita) Quick Step
5 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-NGC
6 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Silence-Lotto

General classification after stage 3
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini
2 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Slipstream
3 Michael Rogers (Aus) Columbia-Highroad  

Full Results — cyclingnews
Petacchi, bis da campione La maglia rosa è sua — gazzetta.it
Petacchi wins stage and jersey as Cav gets gapped by a crash — velonews
Cavendish loses pink jersey after being caught up behind late crash — cyclingweekly.co.uk
US rider Vande Velde falls and withdraws from Giro — sports.yahoo
  Last Km Stage 3 (L'ultimo chilometro della 3ª tappa) — rai
  Last 3 Km — sporza
Farrar second on stage and overall; Vande Velde heading home after crash — slipstreamsports
Petacchi In Pink; Armstrong post-stage comments — astana-cyclingteam
9 Big Photos from Stage 3 — sirotti
Graham Watson Stage 3 Photos — grahamwatson
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (3+ hours) — universalsports
  RAI Post Stage 3 Show/Highlights (Italiano) — rai
Ale-Jet; Stage and Pink! — pezcyclingnews
UCI gives Armstrong's Astana team May 31 deadline — ap
  Planet Armstrong Perspective: Giro Stage 3 (02:07) — eurosport
  Stage 3 Highlights (01:25) — eurosport
  Lance Team Bus Chronicles: Pre Stage 3 (01:53) — livestrong
  Lance interview post stage 3 — gazzetta.it

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Stage 2 results: Alessandro Petacchi blows by Cavendish during the twisty finish in Trieste

9 Big Photos from Stage 2 — sirotti

Stage 2 results
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini
2 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Columbia-Highroad
3 Ben Swift (GBr) Katusha 
4 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
5 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Slipstream
6 Oscar Gatto (Ita) ISD
7 Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Lampre-NGC
8 Davide Viganò (Ita) Fuji-Servetto

General classification after stage 2
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Columbia-Highroad   

Full Results — cyclingnews
Petacchi denies Cavendish victory in stage 2 of Giro — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Petacchi clips Cav's wings — velonews
  9 Minutes of the final circuits but not the finish — eurosport
  Spectator road side video —
Petacchi Flies Again! — pezcyclingnews
9 Big Photos from Stage 2 — sirotti
  The Complete On-Demand Rebroadcast (3+ hours) — universalsports
Stage 2 Gavia Commentary, Stage 3 Course Details w/ Google Earth Maps (also see previews for other stages) — gavia/steephill.tv
Graham Watson Stage 2 Photos — grahamwatson
  Last Km Stage 2 (L'ultimo chilometro della 2ª tappa) — rai
  RAI Post Stage 2 Show/Highlights (Italiano) — rai
  Auro Bulbarelli e Alessandra De Stefano rivisitano la seconda frazione
  Alessandro Petacchi Interview Post Race — rai
  Last 2 Km — sporza
  Last Km — universalsports
  Lance Team Bus Chronicles: Post Stage 2 (01:33) — livestrong

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Stage 1 results: Team Columbia beats Garmin in opening TTT

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May 8 update: RAI International will broadcast The Giro d'Italia in the United States and worldwide afterall starting with stage 2. (thanks to Emilio Corsi for the heads up) Details are posted in the live table — Steve

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Analyzing the Giro contenders

May 8 update:
Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia top ten prediction — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Giro'09 Preview: The Contenders — pezcyclingnews
The Maglia Rosa Stops... Here — podiumcafe
Andrew Hood previews the 100th anniversary of the Giro d'Italia — velonews
  Breakdown of the overall, odds-on favorites — velonews
Related: Race Previews

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Race Previews

May 8 update: We are now in full (interactive) Giro mode. Interactive maps for all stages are now posted along with detailed written previews of the first nine 16 stages by Gavia. See the 'preview' links just added to the race summary table (see right). And don't forget all of our stage previews can be viewed in Google Earth. — Steve
The Maglia Rosa Stops... Here: Analyzing the GC Favorites — podiumcafe
A century after Ganna — cyclingnews
Brits in the Giro: 2009 Giro d'Italia — cyclingweekly.co.uk
GIRO'09 Corsa: Grandissimo! — pezcyclingnews

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May 7 update: The Giro d'Italia will be broadcast on TV and over the web for the United States. Details are posted in the live table — Steve

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Squadre presentation will be live tomorrow (Thursday)

May 6 update: The Giro d'Italia teams presentation takes place on Thursday at 15:59 CET () from Piazza San Marco in Venice. I have the live video link and will post it prior to the start. Drop by to check out the pre-race hair cuts and shaved heads if nothing else. Big photos will follow the presentation. — Steve

  live video streaming
(unrestricted, starts at 15:59 CET ()... now completed)
Johan Bruyneel's Pre-Giro Interview — astana-cyclingteam
9 Big Photos from the 2009 Teams Presentation — sirotti

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Official route announcement with official route map and profile has been archived

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Pre-announcement entries have been archived