var race = "Giro d\'Italia (2010)"; var stages = new Array(); var cyclingnews_results_base_url = "http://www.steephill.tv/2010/giro-d-italia/#{$0}-results-2010"; var event_description = '« Giro d\'Italia 2010 Live Dashboard'; var event_date = "May 8 - 30"; var stage = {"stage": "Pre-Race Press Conference", "photos" : [{"img": "10-PIC108678965.jpg", "desc": "The streets of Amsterdam have been notified", height:1511}, {"img": "15-PIC108789803-room.jpg", "desc": "press conference panoramic"}, {"img": "20-PIC108680638.jpg", "desc": "The main prize", height:1511}, {"img": "30-PIC108684749-garzelli.jpg", "desc": "It's been 10 years since Stefano Garzelli won the main prize. His says his top goal this year is to win his first Giro stage since 2007"}, {"img": "40-PIC108691287.jpg", "desc": "“I've been the favorite before, but that worked out pretty good for Carlos,” Cadel Evans joked, referring to the 2008 Tour de France won by Carlos Sastre (right). "}, {"img": "50-PIC108716152-simoni-map.jpg", "desc": "Gilberto Simoni: “This is my last Giro so I want to make something beautiful. I simply want to be myself and go on the attack.” "}, {"img": "55-PIC108699130-basso.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso: “I've worked very hard for this Giro, but my condition is not where I expected it to be”"}, {"img": "60-PIC108712856-cunego.jpg", "desc": "“Above all, I want to be a protagonist,” said Damiano Cunego. “It's a very hard Giro this year, and the final week features very hard climbs. My aim is to win a mountain stage.” "}, {"img": "65-PIC108701561-vino.jpg", "desc": "“You cannot compare Liège to the Giro,” said a lean looking Alexander Vinokourov playing down his chances. “My legs are good, but the climbs in the final week are perhaps too difficult for me. I would love to win a stage or maybe take the pink jersey.”"}, {"img": "75-PIC108743452-all.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "80-PIC108795813-simoni-2.jpg", "desc": "Gilberto Simoni pointing to his two wins in 2001 and 2003. Photo of him kissing the trophy atop the podium in 2003"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Amsterdam, 8.4 km (TT)", "photos" : [{"img": "10-PIC109057996.jpg", "desc": "Kicking off the start to Giro 2010; releasing the balloons as the first rider, Milram's Matthias Russ, rolls down the start ramp in Amsterdam"}, {"img": "15-PIC109047316.jpg", "desc": "The Dutch queen overseeing today's action; the crowd and photographers at the canal start at Museumplein "}, {"img": "20-PIC109039738.jpg", "desc": "Jumping ahead now to the final riders and the favorites including David Millar"}, {"img": "25-PIC109023102.jpg", "desc": "David Millar wasn't able to beat the early best time set by BMC's Brent Bookwalter..."}, {"img": "30-PIC109000389.jpg", "desc": ".. but, Bradley Wiggins, coming through just after David Millar, did beat Bookwalter by two seconds. ", height:1511}, {"img": "40-PIC109026271.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans, without the Rainbows because it's a TT, tied his American teammate giving BMC second and third on the day"}, {"img": "45-PIC109027562.jpg", "desc": "Alexandre Vinokourov of Astana then came through for 5th, five seconds off the pace", height:1511}, {"img": "80-PIC109011350.jpg", "desc": "All eyes (and lips) were on Wiggins today"}, {"img": "85-PIC109018209.jpg", "desc": "Relieved to come through with his first individual win of the year and the first Grand Tour win for Team Sky "}, {"img": "90-PIC109002785-wiggins-montage.jpg", "desc": "Those weren't token sips; Wiggins not wasting the two bottles of champagne you get for winning the first stage in any stage race", height:331}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Amsterdam - Utrecht, 209 km", "photos" : [{"img": "030-Tappa 2-4.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "050-PIC109183328.jpg", "desc": "An ominous start to the day for Carlos Sastre. A sign of things to come? He lost 34 seconds to the GC contenders as a result of the last ridiculous crash with 7 km to go"}, {"img": "080-PIC109177666.jpg", "desc": "Unlike Sastre, Cadel Evans would have a relatively good day in the saddle today"}, {"img": "085-PIC109242821.jpg", "desc": "Race leader, Bradley Wiggins, arriving at the premiere of stage 2"}, {"img": "086-PIC109243181.jpg", "desc": "Sign-in panoramic"}, {"img": "088-Tappa 2-6.jpg", "desc": "Alexandre Vinokourov and the launching of the stage 2 balloons", height:646}, {"img": "089-Tappa 2-7.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans would also be inundated with Pink at the end of the day", height:1606}, {"img": "090-Tappa 2-5.jpg", "desc": "Bradley Wiggins enjoying one of the perks of being the race leader"}, {"img": "200-PIC109233128.jpg", "desc": "Anyone noticed how long Bradley Wiggins' tibia is compared to his femur. Anyhow, he was involved in the crashes today and lost his leader's jersey."}, {"img": "315-PIC109282678.jpg", "desc": "Jumping past all the crashes to the finish and the 58 riders that escaped the carnage of the last crash that took place with 7 km to go"}, {"img": "320-PIC109256719.jpg", "desc": "Like most riders today, Tyler Farrar crashed, but got up off the deck to win his first Giro stage"}, {"img": "330-Vincitore-2-tappa-Tyler-Farrar.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "400-PIC109293655.jpg", "desc": "Riders like Maciej Bodnar of Liquigas were getting their wounds licked at the end of the day"}, {"img": "410-PIC109295428.jpg", "desc": "Tyler Farrar being ushered to the podium ceremonies"}, {"img": "535-Tappa 2.jpg", "desc": "A big win for the redhead from Wenatchee, Washington", height:1490}, {"img": "540-PIC109296962.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "550-Tappa 2-2.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "560-PIC109276350.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "560-Tappa 2-3.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans is especially happy to put some unexpected time on his GC rivals"}, {"img": "600-Tappa 2-1.jpg", "desc": "Tyler Farrar is just one second out of Pink now and leads the points competition"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": " Amsterdam - Middelburg, 224km", "photos" : [{"img": "050-Tappa 3-2.jpg", "desc": "Pink in the fountain and later, more blood in the streets", height:641}, {"img": "055-Tappa 3-12.jpg", "desc": "Yolanthe Cabau arrives with the Giro trophy", height:1416}, {"img": "060-Tappa 3-11.jpg", "desc": "For the second day in a row, the race leader would get caught out on the narrow, windy Dutch roads"}, {"img": "080-PIC109353858.jpg", "desc": "But, Cadel Evans doesn't know what's in store at this point. He's simply enjoying the race leader perks while they last."}, {"img": "090-Tappa 3.jpg", "desc": "The start ceremony with the local dignitaries"}, {"img": "105-PIC109361101.jpg", "desc": "The start in Amsterdam"}, {"img": "150-Tappa 3-7.jpg", "desc": "Passing over one of the many canals along the way. More big crowds again today.", height:615}, {"img": "160-Tappa 3-8.jpg", "desc": "Alexandre Vinokourov staying close to the Pink Jersey which would be his at the end of the day"}, {"img": "175-Tappa 3-5.jpg", "desc": "The peloton approaching wind turbines along the North Sea. A sign of things to come.", height:646}, {"img": "223-Tappa 3-9.jpg", "desc": "The peloton shattered into several groups along the shores of the North Sea", height:653}, {"img": "225-Tappa 3-4.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "270-Tappa 3-3.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "320-PIC109452256.jpg", "desc": "When the race rounded the final corner with 300m to go, there were only a handful of riders still in contention"}, {"img": "328-PIC109428799.jpg", "desc": "Quick Step's Wouter Weylandt wins the bunch sprint ahead of Rabobank's Graeme Brown (left) and Milram's Robert Forster (right) with Vinokourov peeking over his helmet in 10th"}, {"img": "340-PIC109430776.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans led in the next group containing Carlos Sastre 45 seconds back"}, {"img": "342-PIC109435612.jpg", "desc": "Bradley Wiggins crashed again today and lost more time. He is now 4:28 back."}, {"img": "350-PIC109438266.jpg", "desc": "The rest of the peloton finally crossing the line. There are now 130 riders 8+ minutes back on GC after just three stages"}, {"img": "550-Tappa 3-10.jpg", "desc": "Quick Step's Wouter Weylandt celebrates a classic win..."}, {"img": "551-Tappa 3-1.jpg", "desc": "... and a big thumbs up from across the street", height:595}, {"img": "553-PIC109443546.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "560-PIC109458659.jpg", "desc": "Astana's Alexandre Vinokourov was expected to don the Pink Jersey at some point over the first two weeks and today was the day"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Savigliano - Cuneo, 32.5 km (TTT)", "photos" : [{"img": "001-Tappa 4-2.jpg", "desc": "We are now in Italy if you couldn't tell", height:637}, {"img": "005-Tappa 4-4.jpg", "desc": "la Gazzetta e la bicicletta"}, {"img": "020-PIC109699573.jpg", "desc": "Colnago-CSF cycling north to the finish in Cuneo as a cloudburst passes over them heading in the opposite direction"}, {"img": "030-PIC109702212.jpg", "desc": "BMC set an early best time before 11 other teams beat it. They finished 1:27 back of the winning time."}, {"img": "030-Tappa 4-6.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas was one of the few teams that kept their nine men intact. It would pay off.", height:577}, {"img": "035-Tappa 4-7.jpg", "desc": "Caisse d'Epargne arriving in downtown Cuneo with 500m to go. They posted the fifth worst time, losing 2:21", height:532}, {"img": "048-PIC109720335.jpg", "desc": "Robbie McEwen at the front for Team Katusha. They posted a best time, but three teams later beat it."}, {"img": "050-PIC109723294.jpg", "desc": "The Sky falling in. Well not really, Team Sky finished second just 13 seconds back of the winning time"}, {"img": "050-Tappa 4-montage.jpg", "desc": "The town of Cuneo is also famous for an epic stage in the 1949 Giro d'Italia starring Fausto Coppi (right) and Gino Bartali."}, {"img": "055-PIC109734472.jpg", "desc": "No Pink for David Millar today. Garmin-Transitions lost a few men and lost 49 seconds to the winner."}, {"img": "059-Tappa 4-8.jpg", "desc": "Milram crossing 10th, one minute off the winning time", height:606}, {"img": "060-PIC109681548.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas definitely not leaking gas"}, {"img": "063-PIC109741118.jpg", "desc": "Frantisek Rabon leading the way for HTC-Columbia. They finished third, 21 seconds off the winning time"}, {"img": "070-PIC109682847.jpg", "desc": "Astana down to six riders. They lost one more rider and then had to wait for the fifth rider inside 1 km to go. They placed 4th and lost 38 seconds to..."}, {"img": "080-Tappa 4-12.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas-Doimo won the 32.5 km TTT in 36:37 (58.0 km/h)"}, {"img": "089-Tappa 4-9.jpg", "desc": "Vincenzo Nibali (right) and Ivan Basso (left), are now first and second, respectively, on GC"}, {"img": "090-PIC109688830.jpg", "desc": "A true team effort. Liquigas finished with all nine riders."}, {"img": "092-PIC109690258.jpg", "desc": "The late replacement for Franco Pellizotti now slips on Pink"}, {"img": "093-Tappa 4-10.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "094-Tappa 4-14.jpg", "desc": "Indeed, a heavenly moment for Vincenzo Nibali, but the leader's jersey has changed hands every day so far"}, {"img": "099-Tappa 4-5.jpg", "desc": "On behalf of our new leader, thanks for tuning in and, until tomorrow, so long from Northern Italy..."}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": " Novara - Novi Ligure, 162 km", "photos" : [{"img": "050-PIC109923149.jpg", "desc": "Vincenzo Nibali's turn to unleash the balloons at the start"}, {"img": "055-Tappa 5-3.jpg", "desc": "From a different angle. The balloon launching panoramic at the start in Novara.", height:567}, {"img": "150-PIC109990910.jpg", "desc": "Rain during the first half of the race"}, {"img": "170-PIC109949269.jpg", "desc": "A fish-eye view of the peloton and the improving weather"}, {"img": "180-PIC109962563.jpg", "desc": "The main break got away at km 25: Julien Fouchard (Cofidis), Jerome Pineau (Quick Step), Yukiya Arashiro (Bbox) and Paul Voss (Team Milram)"}, {"img": "200-PIC109943861.jpg", "desc": "Lampre at the front for their sprinter Alessandro Petacchi while Liquigas watches since the break doesn't represent a GC threat"}, {"img": "205-PIC109999602.jpg", "desc": "Picturesque narrow roads... and no major accidents. Apparently, narrow Italian roads are easier than the Dutch roads."}, {"img": "210-PIC109965595.jpg", "desc": "Picturesque rolling countryside as the chase makes its way south during the 162 km stage that finishes in Novi Ligure"}, {"img": "245-PIC109968691.jpg", "desc": "The break crossing the GPM at Castellania, Fausto Coppi's hometown, just past the half way point with 50 km to go..."}, {"img": "250-PIC109931311.jpg", "desc": "The rest of the peloton crossing over Passo Coppi"}, {"img": "300-Tappa 5-2.jpg", "desc": "Fans waiting on the circuits in Novi Ligure"}, {"img": "320-PIC109900473.jpg", "desc": "The sprinter teams mistimed the catch as the exhausted break succeeds"}, {"img": "325-arrivo1.jpg", "desc": "Jerome Pineau (Quick Step) takes the win"}, {"img": "326-Tappa 5-1.jpg", "desc": "The overhead view"}, {"img": "330-PIC109935994-close-up.jpg", "desc": "It really hurts to come second after 100 km in the break; Julien Fouchard of Cofidis feels the agony of defeat"}, {"img": "555-Tappa 5-4.jpg", "desc": "Frenchman Jerome Pineau celebrates Quick Step's second win at this year's Giro"}, {"img": "560-Tappa 5-5.jpg", "desc": "No change on GC; Vincenzo Nibali is the first rider to retain the Pink Jersey this year", height:1380}, {"img": "565-FIGLI COPPI.jpg", "desc": "Fausto Coppi's children were on hand for the stage that honored their father"}, {"img": "600-Tappa 5.jpg", "desc": " Jerome Pineau meets Girbecco, the Giro mascot. (Just give it to your kid)"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Fidenza - Carrara, 166 km", "photos" : [{"img": "040-Tappa 6-7.jpg", "desc": "More fun with the Coppi and Bartali cut out", height:621}, {"img": "050-Tappa 6-6.jpg", "desc": "The start in Fidenza"}, {"img": "080-PIC110192777.jpg", "desc": "Mario Cipollini lives in the area"}, {"img": "220-PIC110126643.jpg", "desc": "Mechanical problem for Carlos Sastre. Switches bikes with a teammate"}, {"img": "250-PIC110218611.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas leading the chase", height:1511}, {"img": "255-PIC110151644.jpg", "desc": "Caduta... Andrea Masciarelli missed a corner"}, {"img": "270-PIC110130904.jpg", "desc": "Fuga: The two man break with Matthew Lloyd (Omega Pharma-Lotto) ), Rubens Bertogliati (Androni)"}, {"img": "300-Tappa 6-2.jpg", "desc": "The caravan crossing the finish"}, {"img": "320-PIC110113947.jpg", "desc": "Aussie Matt Lloyd soloed the cat 3 climb and descent to the finish"}, {"img": "324-Tappa 6-4.jpg", "desc": "", height:627}, {"img": "325-PIC110112889.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "330-PIC110118804.jpg", "desc": "Rubens Bertogliati (Androni) finished second just ahead of the main field"}, {"img": "331-Tappa 6.jpg", "desc": "Danilo Hondo (Lampre) thought he won", height:571}, {"img": "340-PIC110120955.jpg", "desc": "but it was only the field sprint for 3rd"}, {"img": "550-Tappa 6-1.jpg", "desc": "Matt Lloyd standing tall on the podium"}, {"img": "560-Tappa 6-3.jpg", "desc": "The third Pink Jersey for Vincenzo Nibali"}, {"img": "565-Tappa 6-5.jpg", "desc": ""}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Carrara - Montalcino, 216 km", "photos" : [{"img": "080-Tappa 7-8.jpg", "desc": "The start in Marina di Carrara", height:639}, {"img": "085-Tappa 7-6.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "100-Tappa 7.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "105-Tappa 7-13.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "215-Tappa 7-3.jpg", "desc": "Well into the race on the strade bianche"}, {"img": "220-Tappa 7-1.jpg", "desc": "Alexander Vinokourov rolling off the peloton followed by Cadel Evans"}, {"img": "250-Tappa 7-16.jpg", "desc": "The chase group led by Marco Pinotti (center)", height:595}, {"img": "250-Tappa 7-4.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans at the front now with Vino right behind"}, {"img": "252-Tappa 7-5.jpg", "desc": "Saxo Bank's Laurent Didier followed by Damiano Cunego"}, {"img": "260-Tappa 7-7.jpg", "desc": "", height:639}, {"img": "265-Tappa 7-10.jpg", "desc": "Climbing in the mud"}, {"img": "266-Tappa 7-11.jpg", "desc": "", height:644}, {"img": "267-Tappa 7-12.jpg", "desc": "Not so pretty in Pink", height:1641}, {"img": "269-Tappa 7-14.jpg", "desc": "Chase 2 group"}, {"img": "270-PIC110414316.jpg", "desc": "Chase group 1 with Cunego, Gadret and Garzelli"}, {"img": "270-vino-mud-PIC110413504.jpg", "desc": "Vino and Evans off the front"}, {"img": "271-PIC110420636.jpg", "desc": "Scarponi chasing"}, {"img": "271-Tappa 7-9.jpg", "desc": "Ag2r John Gadret should have a nice complexion at the end of the day. He finished 7th. Marco Pinotti (behind) finished strong for 4th"}, {"img": "271-chase-PIC110416140.jpg", "desc": "Rolling in the mud", height:1511}, {"img": "274-PIC110430239.jpg", "desc": "Jan Bakelandts (Omega) finished 10th and Vladimir Karpets (Caisse d'Epargne) who is now 4th on GC"}, {"img": "275-PIC110431428.jpg", "desc": "David Millar was also with Bakelandts and Karpets"}, {"img": "278-PIC110421937.jpg", "desc": "The Maglia Rosa, Vincenzo Nibali, and Ivan Basso crashed earlier on a slick, paved descent "}, {"img": "279-Tappa 7-15.jpg", "desc": "The muddy and bloody Maglia Rosa"}, {"img": "282-PIC110425165.jpg", "desc": "Filippo Pozatto further back. He finished 33rd @ 4:20"}, {"img": "283-Tappa 7-2.jpg", "desc": "The RAI crew providing the live video"}, {"img": "303-Tappa 7-19.jpg", "desc": "400m to go: Damiano Cunego and David Arroyo caught Evans and Vino earlier near the summit with 3k to go", height:1499}, {"img": "304-Tappa 7-17.jpg", "desc": "Evans leads the final four inside 400m to go. HTC-Columbia's Marco Pinotti has bridged up and sits 4th", height:531}, {"img": "310-Tappa 7-25.jpg", "desc": "Amazing no one crashed on the slick cobbles"}, {"img": "315-Tappa 7-24.jpg", "desc": "Evans put in one more dig that no one could match"}, {"img": "320-evans-finish-PIC110409464.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans with a classic Giro win he'll never forget"}, {"img": "325-Tappa 7-18.jpg", "desc": "No words necessary"}, {"img": "331-Tappa 7-21.jpg", "desc": "The rest of the top 10 with David Millar (rear) crossing 11th", height:1480}, {"img": "334-Tappa 7-22.jpg", "desc": "A lonely finish for the Maglia Rosa. Vincenzo Nibali lost 2 minutes and is now 5th on GC.", height:501}, {"img": "550-PIC110410541.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans all cleaned up for the award ceremony"}, {"img": "560-Tappa 7-23.jpg", "desc": "Pink eyes dons the Pink Jersey", height:1523}, {"img": "565-Vinokourov Maglia Rosa.jpg", "desc": "Vino back in Pink with a 1:12 lead over Cadel Evans"}, {"img": "P1000069v2.jpg", "desc": "As part of our preview: Classic Tuscany from a Montalcino backyard overlooking the Northeast valley. This is not the side riders will approach from."}, {"img": "P1000075v2.jpg", "desc": "Walking back up to the center of town. The riders will encounter cobblestones on the approach from the other side of town, but not this steep"}, {"img": "P1000081-castle.jpg", "desc": "The high point of the visit was the Montalcino Castle"}, {"img": "P1000096-montalcino-from-castle.jpg", "desc": "The view of Montalcino from the castle. The finish will come through the left part of town and finish at the far end."}, {"img": "Panorama-montalcino-castle-forest.jpg", "desc": "The west side of Montalcino where the riders will approach from the north on 12 km of strade bianche (white dirt roads) before the hill climb into town", height:436}, {"img": "Panorama-montalcino-courtyard-forest.jpg", "desc": "This photo best captures the valley route and the last km that passes by the Montalcino Castle with the finish near the Chapel", height:521}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Chianciano Terme - Monte Terminillo, 189k", "photos" : [{"img": "070-PIC110585405.jpg", "desc": "Carlos Sastre signing in. He continued to lose more time today."}, {"img": "150-PIC110528268.jpg", "desc": "Cough forces Petacchi to abandon<\/a>"}, {"img": "170-PIC110617333.jpg", "desc": "The winding road leading to the mountaintop finish on Monte Terminillo"}, {"img": "260-PIC110516758.jpg", "desc": "Chasing the break"}, {"img": "270-PIC110558166.jpg", "desc": "Simone Stortoni (Colnago) stringing out the break on the final climb..."}, {"img": "285-PIC110532977.jpg", "desc": "while the GC contenders were getting strung outbehind"}, {"img": "290-PIC110522935.jpg", "desc": "Ag2R's John Gadret unsuccessfully launched off the peloton several times in pursuit of the lead group"}, {"img": "320-PIC110536303.jpg", "desc": "Chris Sorensen (Saxo Bank) won the 189 km stage in 4:50:48 (39.0 km/h). That's 3 km/h faster than Garzelli's winning time seven years ago."}, {"img": "321-Sorensen.jpg", "desc": "He soloed the final 8 km for his first Grand Tour win"}, {"img": "325-PIC110541119.jpg", "desc": "2nd Simone Stortoni (Colnago) + 0:30"}, {"img": "330-PIC110542983.jpg", "desc": "4 Evgeni Petrov (Katusha) + 0:49"}, {"img": "340-PIC110546679.jpg", "desc": "The GC men crossed 56 seconds behind the winner"}, {"img": "550-Sorensen-Rosolino.jpg", "desc": "Chris Sorensen (Saxo Bank) is awarded a Girbecco for his troubles"}, {"img": "555-PIC110550236.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "560-Vinokourov.jpg", "desc": "Vino keeps his lead on Cadel Evans, but more changes further down on GC. Namely, David Millar slipped from 3rd to 33rd"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": " Frosinone - Cava de' Tirreni, 188km", "photos" : [{"img": "050-Tappa 9-3.jpg", "desc": "The Giro Trophy has arrived", height:590}, {"img": "050-Tappa 9-6.jpg", "desc": "Giro 2030 awaits", height:1592}, {"img": "060-Tappa 9-12.jpg", "desc": "Classic Giro", height:1302}, {"img": "070-Tappa 9-11.jpg", "desc": "The good crowd in Frosinone for the rider sign-in and start"}, {"img": "095-Tappa 9-1.jpg", "desc": "The caravan (carovana) getting ready to roll", height:603}, {"img": "097-Tappa 9-4.jpg", "desc": "A great day for a school field trip"}, {"img": "099-Tappa 9-8.jpg", "desc": "The Playboy bunnies and their pink Playboy cars were part of the Caravan", height:639}, {"img": "170-PIC110617333.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "200-PIC110832455.jpg", "desc": "The peloton skirted all the possible climbs today as they headed southwest to the Amafi Coast"}, {"img": "225-PIC110850462.jpg", "desc": "More rain today. Footon - Servetto's Giampaolo Cheula surfing off the front"}, {"img": "230-Tappa 9-17.jpg", "desc": "The peloton about to make a big splash"}, {"img": "232-Tappa 9.jpg", "desc": "", height:594}, {"img": "233-Tappa 9-14.jpg", "desc": "", height:1469}, {"img": "235-PIC110852125.jpg", "desc": "The Garmin team car hydroplaning"}, {"img": "270-PIC110867916.jpg", "desc": "The main break"}, {"img": "275-PIC110864682.jpg", "desc": "Michael Barry of Team Sky driving the ill-fated break"}, {"img": "280-PIC110878126.jpg", "desc": "Astana with their Maglia Rosa following HTC-Columbia in pursuit of the break"}, {"img": "300-Tappa 9-7.jpg", "desc": "Fans anticipating the finish in Cava de' Tirreni", height:600}, {"img": "310-PIC110777713.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans (far left) led briefly with 100 m to go, but it's now a HTC-Columbia rider sprinting for the line and it's not Andre Greipel"}, {"img": "315-Tappa 9-9-crop.jpg", "desc": "It's Aussie Matthew Goss followed by Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions)"}, {"img": "317-finish-PIC110787219-crop.jpg", "desc": "And that's how it would finish", height:582}, {"img": "320-Tappa 9-13.jpg", "desc": "The Aussies are on a roll"}, {"img": "550-PIC110857901.jpg", "desc": "Matt Goss celebrates his first win of the year"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Avellino → Bitonto, 230km", "photos" : [{"img": "050-PIC111218364.jpg", "desc": "Alexandre Vinokourov with several of his Kazakhstan compatriots?"}, {"img": "050-Tappa 10-2.jpg", "desc": "Street party at the start in Avellino", height:1455}, {"img": "095-Tappa 10-6.jpg", "desc": "The race leaders keeping cool on the first sunny day since the Giro returned from Holland"}, {"img": "120-Tappa 10-1.jpg", "desc": "Good crowds lining the streets somewhere along the route"}, {"img": "125-Tappa 10-8.jpg", "desc": "Climbing out of Avellino; leaving the Amalfi Coast behind", height:653}, {"img": "140-Tappa 10-13.jpg", "desc": "Michele Scarponi and Alexandre Vinokourov"}, {"img": "145-Tappa 10-14.jpg", "desc": "Young rider leader, Richie Porte of Saxo Bank", height:1438}, {"img": "150-PIC111182197.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "170-Tappa 10.jpg", "desc": "", height:590}, {"img": "190-Tappa 10-4-Andria.jpg", "desc": "The peloton passing through the crowd in Andria at km 172", height:645}, {"img": "200-PIC111190698.jpg", "desc": "Michael Barry and the rest of Team Sky chasing the four-man break"}, {"img": "210-PIC111225285.jpg", "desc": "", height:1511}, {"img": "220-PIC111223875.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "250-Tappa 10-12.jpg", "desc": "", height:528}, {"img": "290-Tappa 10-7-Terlizzi.jpg", "desc": "The crowd waiting in Terlizzi, 30 km from the finish in Bitonto", height:545}, {"img": "298-Tappa 10-22.jpg", "desc": "Meanwhile, at the finish in Bitonto, the Italians were demonstrating they love swag just as much as any other nation"}, {"img": "300-Tappa 10-10.jpg", "desc": "The crowd lining the final corner anticipating the finish", height:637}, {"img": "310-PIC111235668.jpg", "desc": "Garmin's Tylar Farrar came out of the final corner in first after the fine leadout byt teammate Julien Dean"}, {"img": "320-PIC111174338.jpg", "desc": "Farrar finishes ahead of Fabio Sabatini (Liquigas) for his second win at this year's Giro"}, {"img": "322-Tappa 10-21-crop.jpg", "desc": "The double victory salute"}, {"img": "325-Tappa 10-20.jpg", "desc": "Victory salute from a different angle"}, {"img": "420-PIC111231296.jpg", "desc": "David Millar about to give the winner a big hug"}, {"img": "520-Tappa 10-16.jpg", "desc": "A big crowd in Bionto for the post race ceremony", height:528}, {"img": "530-Tappa 10-17.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "550-PIC111242397.jpg", "desc": "Your stage 10 winner, Tyler Farrar"}, {"img": "600-Tappa 10-19.jpg", "desc": "King Farrar with one more salute"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Lucera - L'Aquila, 262km", "photos" : [{"img": "125-PIC111426921.jpg", "desc": "Shortly after the start in Lucera, a large break of 56 riders split from the peloton seen here with Astana and BMC on the front during a lackluster chase. Notice Liquigas further back."}, {"img": "150-PIC111446959.jpg", "desc": "Carlos Sastre and four of his teammates! were in the break looking to get back some GC time", height:1511}, {"img": "225-Tappa 11-15.jpg", "desc": "As the weather deteriorated, the break worked hard to stretch out the gap", height:547}, {"img": "230-Tappa 11-14.jpg", "desc": "It's hard to tell looking through a fogged up shower door, but this looks like David Arroyo of Caisse d'Epargne driving the break", height:627}, {"img": "240-Tappa 11-6.jpg", "desc": "After just 75 km of racing, the break had an astonishing 17 minute lead"}, {"img": "250-Tappa 11-5.jpg", "desc": "The highest placed GC rider in the break was 1st year pro Richie Porte (Saxo Bank)", height:1517}, {"img": "252-Tappa 11-9.jpg", "desc": "He started 6th on the day 2:26 back which meant at one point on the road, he led the Maglia Rosa by over 15 minutes"}, {"img": "260-Tappa 11-7.jpg", "desc": "The peloton in trouble and taking on water", height:563}, {"img": "265-Tappa 11-8.jpg", "desc": "The destructive break driving on...", height:582}, {"img": "270-Tappa 11-10.jpg", "desc": "and on"}, {"img": "275-Tappa 11-13.jpg", "desc": "Alexandre Vinokourov and his team had a miserable day. They couldn't control the stage, two Astana riders abandoned and Vino slipped out of Pink and out of the top 10"}, {"img": "280-PIC111372941.jpg", "desc": "Katusha's Evgeni Petrov rounding one of the final corners near the front"}, {"img": "285-PIC111373455.jpg", "desc": "Despite the weather, Carlos Sastre's GC chances improved dramatically with his third place finish"}, {"img": "315-Tappa 11-2.jpg", "desc": "The strung out uphill finish in L'Aquila", height:454}, {"img": "318-PIC111388322.jpg", "desc": "Another classic Giro stage"}, {"img": "320-Tappa 11-1.jpg", "desc": "Evgeni Petrov picked a miserable, wet day to end his long winning drought... ", height:609}, {"img": "321-Tappa 11-11.jpg", "desc": "...winning the longest Giro stage in a decade", height:726}, {"img": "325-PIC111397713.jpg", "desc": "Dario Cataltdo of Quick Step jumped early and held on for second"}, {"img": "335-PIC111399444.jpg", "desc": "Bradley Wiggins is back in the hunt. He moved up 14 spots on GC to 10th place."}, {"img": "290-PIC111377879.jpg", "desc": "The Pink Jersey group rolling through 12+ minutes later"}, {"img": "553-Tappa 11.jpg", "desc": "A shocking end to a chaotic day. 25 year-old, first-year pro Richie Porte finds himself in Pink and the center of attention"}, {"img": "560-Tappa 11-12.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "570-Tappa 11-3.jpg", "desc": "Ending another good day for the Aussies at this year's Giro, but what will happen when the high mountains arrive", height:570}, {"img": "700-PIC111411387.jpg", "desc": "2009 earthquake damage and the start of repairs is evident throughout L'Aquila"}, {"img": "710-PIC111461737.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "720-PIC111464870.jpg", "desc": ""}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Città Sant'Angelo - Porto Recanati, 190km", "photos" : [{"img": "070-Tappa 12.jpg", "desc": "Overview of the start in Città Sant'Angelo along the Adriatic Coast"}, {"img": "080-Tappa 12-1.jpg", "desc": "The wearers of the Leaders' jerseys", height:631}, {"img": "090-PIC111707515.jpg", "desc": "Stefano Garzelli and Cadel Evans conversing before the start"}, {"img": "090-Tappa 12-10.jpg", "desc": "Richie Porte enjoying the VIP treatment accorded to the wearer of the Pink Jersey"}, {"img": "200-PIC111693743.jpg", "desc": "Garmin-Transitions chasing the break up the road with the hopes of setting up a sprint finish for their man Tyler Farrar"}, {"img": "260-PIC111762377.jpg", "desc": "After a flat run up the coast, the peloton heads inland for some hills in the latter half of the stage"}, {"img": "265-Tappa 12-8.jpg", "desc": "", height:535}, {"img": "266-Tappa 12-13.jpg", "desc": "Richie Porte peeking through the peloton", height:584}, {"img": "270-Tappa 12-9.jpg", "desc": "", height:642}, {"img": "280-PIC111708788.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "285-PIC111758881.jpg", "desc": "The break", height:1511}, {"img": "287-PIC111674813.jpg", "desc": "Saxo Bank has eight of their original nine men still in the race to help defend the Pink Jersey"}, {"img": "290-PIC111761979.jpg", "desc": "The break entering Porto Recanati for the first of two visits to the finish. In other words, there was one circuit."}, {"img": "292-Tappa 12-2.jpg", "desc": "", height:598}, {"img": "293-Tappa 12-12.jpg", "desc": "The peloton for their first trip through", height:523}, {"img": "294-PIC111765312.jpg", "desc": " Francesco Faili of Acqua & Sapone during one of many attacks on the final circuit."}, {"img": "295-PIC111660836.jpg", "desc": "The race heating up. The Pink Jersey doing some work now."}, {"img": "310-PIC111767493.jpg", "desc": "A break with several of the GC contenders (but not Cadel Evans) headed for a bunch sprint finish"}, {"img": "320-PIC111680299.jpg", "desc": "Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) wins ahead of a late charge by Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues) on the left"}, {"img": "325-Pozzato1.jpg", "desc": "After 12 stages, Italy is finally on the board with their national champ coming through for the home side"}, {"img": "400-PIC111795380.jpg", "desc": "Being escorted through the maze of riders and media at the finish"}, {"img": "555-Pozzato2.jpg", "desc": "Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) celebrates a popular win", height:1516}, {"img": "560-PIC111700101.jpg", "desc": "A few changes to the time gaps but no signifcant change at the top of the general classification"}, {"img": "560-Porte.jpg", "desc": "Richie Porte still in Pink"}, {"img": "600-Tappa 12-5.jpg", "desc": "Pozzato replaced the monkey on his back with the Giro mascot", height:732}, {"img": "610-Tappa 12-6.jpg", "desc": "Richie Porte is big news in cycling right now"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": " Porto Recanati - Cesenatico, 222km", "photos" : [{"img": "050-Tappa 13-14.jpg", "desc": "Simone Stortoni of Colnago visiting the beach at Porto Recanati prior to the start", height:642}, {"img": "060-Tappa 13-9.jpg", "desc": "Richie Porte releasing the start balloons for the second day in a row", height:1393}, {"img": "065-Tappa 13-12.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans and Daniele Richi kissed and made up this morning after exchanging blows in the peloton yesterday<\/a> ()", height:691}, {"img": "090-Tappa 13-2.jpg", "desc": "The leaders' jerseys"}, {"img": "095-Tappa 13-15.jpg", "desc": "The real leaders' jerseys", height:638}, {"img": "105-Tappa 13-8.jpg", "desc": "The start in Porto Recanati "}, {"img": "110-PIC112253373.jpg", "desc": "Heading up the Adriatic Coast for the second day in a row"}, {"img": "230-PIC112263536.jpg", "desc": "An overview of the hilly inland portion of the route in the latter half of the stage"}, {"img": "250-PIC112256613.jpg", "desc": "The 17 man break climbing the cat 2 Barbotto climb at km 181 with 42 km to go"}, {"img": "270-PIC112146293.jpg", "desc": "The rear of the break, 75m from the GPM"}, {"img": "275-PIC112179815.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas leading the chase"}, {"img": "276-PIC112182251.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "300-Tappa 13-4.jpg", "desc": "A monument to Marco Pantani in his hometown of Cesentacio where today's stage finishes", height:1533}, {"img": "305-PIC112294289.jpg", "desc": "The break worked well together on the flats to the finish"}, {"img": "320-PIC112151769.jpg", "desc": "Colnago's Manuel Belletti timed his sprint perfectly with lots of authority"}, {"img": "322-Tappa 13-6.jpg", "desc": "The biggest win to date for the 25 year old", height:1203}, {"img": "325-Tappa 13-7.jpg", "desc": "It's always good to see a local boy win"}, {"img": "330-PIC112230341.jpg", "desc": "Vladimir Karpets and teammate Juan Horrach, who dropped back from the break to help Karpets gain two minutes on his GC rivals"}, {"img": "340-PIC112233436.jpg", "desc": "The peloton finishing over seven minutes after the winner"}, {"img": "350-Tappa 13.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "400-PIC112203804.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "550-PIC112204380.jpg", "desc": "An emotional win needless to say"}, {"img": "552-Tappa 13-5.jpg", "desc": "", height:1475}, {"img": "560-Tappa 13-1.jpg", "desc": "Still in Pink, but there is a mountain stage tomorrow", height:538}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Ferrara - Asolo, 201 km", "photos" : [{"img": "080-Tappa 14-24.jpg", "desc": "Getting ready for the start on via Padova in Ferrara"}, {"img": "084-Tappa 14-23.jpg", "desc": "Behave yourself today Daniele Righi"}, {"img": "090-Tappa 14-8.jpg", "desc": "The race leaders have arrived", height:469}, {"img": "097-Tappa 14-22.jpg", "desc": "The race leaders keeping cool and socializing", height:638}, {"img": "100-PIC112439356.jpg", "desc": "Rolling out from Ferrara on the way to Monte Grappa"}, {"img": "102-Tappa 14-25.jpg", "desc": "Big crowds for the start", height:1432}, {"img": "103-Tappa 14.jpg", "desc": "A gorgeous start to the stage", height:658}, {"img": "110-Tappa 14-9.jpg", "desc": "", height:1711}, {"img": "140-Tappa 14-6.jpg", "desc": "", height:654}, {"img": "150-PIC112422943.jpg", "desc": "It was a mountain stage, but the day started with 120 km of flats until the peloton reached Asolo... "}, {"img": "170-Tappa 14.jpg", "desc": "Getting ready for the peloton (and RAI helicopters) in Asolo. That's Monte Grappa in the distance. The peloton would later loop back and finish in Asolo", height:661}, {"img": "190-Tappa 14-13.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas leading the peloton on the lower less steep slopes of Monte Grappa (19 km long with an average grade of 7.9% )"}, {"img": "200-PIC112427891.jpg", "desc": "Fans in position at the top where the weather wasn't quite so nice"}, {"img": "200-PIC112487822.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas driving the pace still..."}, {"img": "203-Tappa 14-12.jpg", "desc": "Sylvester Szmyd now on the front shedding more riders for team leaders Bassso and Nibali", height:632}, {"img": "210-Tappa 14-15.jpg", "desc": "The Pink Jersey, Richie Porte, losing touch of the lead group"}, {"img": "230-PIC112401850.jpg", "desc": "And then there were four: Ivan Basso, Cadel Evans, Michele Scarponi and Vicenzo Nibali"}, {"img": "232-Tappa 14-2.jpg", "desc": "It gets steeper near the top"}, {"img": "234-Tappa 14-14.jpg", "desc": "Carlos Sastre and Alexandre Vinokourov chasing 30 seconds back", height:1515}, {"img": "235-Tappa 14-4.jpg", "desc": "The top before the tricky descent and flat run back to Asolo"}, {"img": "240-PIC112406732.jpg", "desc": "Switching it up"}, {"img": "242-PIC112407590.jpg", "desc": "Basso and Scarponi going over the top a few bike lengths ahead of Cadel Evans and Vicenzo Nibali"}, {"img": "248-Tappa 14-1.jpg", "desc": "Branislau Samoilau, Bradley Wiggins, Bauke Mollema and Damiano Cunego going over the top a minute later", height:634}, {"img": "250-PIC112386120.jpg", "desc": "Followed shortly by David Arroyo led by a Caisse d'Epargne teammate. Arroyo would do enough to take Pink today."}, {"img": "251-PIC112388812.jpg", "desc": "Linus Gerdemann would bridge up to the Sastre and Arroyo group on the descent"}, {"img": "247-PIC112431752.jpg", "desc": "Saxo Bank's Chris Sorensen, winner of the stage 8 mountaintop finish, dragging the Maglia Rosa over the top five minutes after the leaders. Richie Porte lost his Pink Jersey today, but performed better than expected."}, {"img": "300-Tappa 14-16.jpg", "desc": "Race officials, local dignitaries and photographers waiting to see who would appear first back in Asolo after the tricky descent off Monte Grappa", height:538}, {"img": "315-Tappa 14-5.jpg", "desc": "Vicenzo Nibali was the best descender ... or the one willing to take the most chances"}, {"img": "318-Nibali.jpg", "desc": "A solo win..."}, {"img": "320-Tappa 14-17.jpg", "desc": "... not a photo finish", height:598}, {"img": "330-PIC112369873.jpg", "desc": "Basso had the luxury to sit behind Scarponi and Evans before taking a slow motion sprint for second "}, {"img": "555-Tappa 14-11.jpg", "desc": "Nibali gets to celebrate on the podium again after wearing the Pink Jersey for several stages earlier in the race (Stages 4 and 5)"}, {"img": "556-PIC112375657.jpg", "desc": "The sweet taste of victory"}, {"img": "560-PIC112377754.jpg", "desc": "Caisse d'Epargne's David Arroyo, a steady grinder, is now in Pink"}, {"img": "565-Tappa 14-10.jpg", "desc": "If you are wearing Pink at this point in the race then it is deserved"}, {"img": "600-Tappa 14-20.jpg", "desc": "Time for some more Grappa"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": " Mestre - Monte Zoncolan, 222 km", "photos" : [{"img": "050-Tappa 15-21.jpg", "desc": "The Pre-Zoncolan celebration at the start in Mestre near Venice", height:1408}, {"img": "248-Tappa 15-12.jpg", "desc": "222 km to the north, bike racing fans are waiting in/on the Monte Zoncolan bike stadium", height:649}, {"img": "250-Tappa 15-10.jpg", "desc": "A capacity crowd along the 10 km climb"}, {"img": "254-Tappa 15-18.jpg", "desc": "What a great natural theatre", height:596}, {"img": "255-Tappa 15-20.jpg", "desc": "", height:606}, {"img": "basso-fan-close-up.jpg", "desc": "While fans wait at the top, further down the hill the action was really heating up"}, {"img": "260-PIC112576477.jpg", "desc": "10 km at an average of 12% with a 22% section near the top. A good sufferfest guaranteed or your money back"}, {"img": "279-Tappa 15-6.jpg", "desc": "The first rider coming into view"}, {"img": "280-PIC112585768.jpg", "desc": "Much to the delight of the Italians, it's Liquigas' Ivan Basso"}, {"img": "280-Tappa 15.jpg", "desc": "Apparently, Zoncolan suits Basso, the ultimate grinder", height:651}, {"img": "283-Tappa 15-5.jpg", "desc": "The fans loving it", height:645}, {"img": "286-PIC112548597.jpg", "desc": "Just over a minute back was Cadel Evans fighting with his bike, but that's his style. By the way, that's cycling photographer Graham Watson to the left"}, {"img": "290-PIC112550894.jpg", "desc": "Appearing third on stage is Michele Scarponi, 10 seconds back of Cadel Evans"}, {"img": "291-PIC112591337.jpg", "desc": "Don't look up"}, {"img": "294-PIC112592182.jpg", "desc": "4th was Damiano Cunego about 30 seconds behind Scarponi"}, {"img": "320-Tappa 15-2.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso distanced his rivals to finish first"}, {"img": "322-Tappa 15-16.jpg", "desc": "An empathic win. His biggest since making a clean return", height:1277}, {"img": "325-Tappa 15-7.jpg", "desc": "Like the clock says, 222 km in 6:21:58 (34.87 km/h)"}, {"img": "330-Tappa 15-11.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans about to blow a gasket much to delight of appreciative bike racing fans. He finished second + 1:19.", height:1460}, {"img": "340-Tappa 15-14.jpg", "desc": "The Pink Jersey coming into view", height:649}, {"img": "342-PIC112561664.jpg", "desc": "David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne) was 11th + 3:52, good enough to hang onto the Pink Jersey. Actually, he increased his lead because Richie Porte was further down the hill."}, {"img": "355-PIC112620794.jpg", "desc": "A good shot of Sky's Dario Cioni rounding the 22% corner. He placed 25th +6:45"}, {"img": "357-PIC112632229.jpg", "desc": "The biggest reaction was for local boy and hero, Gilberto Simoni, making his last Giro appearance. Forza Gibo!"}, {"img": "360-PIC112563795.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "360-PIC112627316.jpg", "desc": "The two time (and only winner) of Monte Zoncolan had to settle for 31st this time +8:36"}, {"img": "552-Tappa 15-17.jpg", "desc": "An emotional win (and return) for Ivan Basso"}, {"img": "555-Tappa 15-4.jpg", "desc": "Celebrating the win and his big move all the way up to 3rd on GC", height:726}, {"img": "560-Tappa 15-13.jpg", "desc": "David Arroyo continues his stay in Pink"}, {"img": "565-Tappa 15-15.jpg", "desc": "This is turning into a Giro for the grinders", height:1583}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Plan de Corones, 12.8 km (TT)", "photos" : [{"img": "050-Tappa 16-8.jpg", "desc": "Spanish Formula One driver, Fernando Alonso, was the special podium presenter today. Alonso has hinted about starting a cycling team in 2011 with Alberto Contador as the leader.", height:1219}, {"img": "060-Tappa 16-14.jpg", "desc": "Fernando Alonso and Giro race director, Angelo Zomegnan"}, {"img": "078-Tappa 16-21.jpg", "desc": "There really was no Carovana, per say, today. They were restricted to the start (and finish?).", height:744}, {"img": "080-Tappa 16-19.jpg", "desc": "The start party in San Vigilio di Marebbe"}, {"img": "082-Tappa 16-9.jpg", "desc": "", height:589}, {"img": "085-Tappa 16-18.jpg", "desc": "Hey, yesterday was the rest day", height:648}, {"img": "090-Tappa 16-22.jpg", "desc": "Start panoramic in San Vigilio di Marebbe", height:611}, {"img": "200-PIC112878163.jpg", "desc": "Craig Lewis of HTC-Columbia was one of the early starters"}, {"img": "220-PIC112885579.jpg", "desc": "Astana's Andriy Grivko powering up the 24% unpaved section"}, {"img": "225-PIC112897649.jpg", "desc": "The 24% section from a different perspective with Sky's Greg Henderson on the course"}, {"img": "228-Tappa 16-30.jpg", "desc": "Course perspective", height:596}, {"img": "230-Tappa 16-24.jpg", "desc": "The great weather brought out a bigger crowd than 2008", height:679}, {"img": "235-Tappa 16-25.jpg", "desc": "The party at the finish", height:588}, {"img": "237-Tappa 16-27.jpg", "desc": "The finish was at the Kronplatz ski resort", height:571}, {"img": "270-garz-PIC113064469.jpg", "desc": "Stafano Garzelli was out to make up for his Zoncolan performance two days ago (or did he sandbag Zoncolan)"}, {"img": "272-Tappa 16-11.jpg", "desc": "Garzelli handled the 24% better than anyone else", height:1521}, {"img": "273-Tappa 16-1.jpg", "desc": "Garzelli set a time that no one came close to matching. 12.8 km in 41:28 (18.5 km/h) ... but one minute slower than Franco Pellizoti's time from 2008. Hmm...", height:1598}, {"img": "282-Tappa 16-17.jpg", "desc": "With the start of the Maglia Rosa, David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne), all the GC contenders are now on the course", height:666}, {"img": "290-PIC113072656.jpg", "desc": "With his performance on Monte Zoncolan two days ago and his 4th place finish today, no one can say Vincenzo Nibali isn't good on the steep stuff"}, {"img": "295-PIC113077977.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso out to make up more time. He finished 6th +1:00."}, {"img": "297-PIC113117820.jpg", "desc": "Security keeping the fans at bay"}, {"img": "300-PIC113108121.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans' turn against the 24%"}, {"img": "305-PIC113238626.jpg", "desc": "Evans posted the second best time (+0:42) to continue his move up the General Classicification. He's now 4th overall +3:07."}, {"img": "308-PIC113245474.jpg", "desc": "The former Pink (now White) Jersey wearer, Richie Porte, refuses to go away. He finished out of the top 10 but he sits 3rd on GC + 2:36."}, {"img": "320-PIC113136357.jpg", "desc": "David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne) was also out of the top 10 finishing 16th +2:16 (one position ahead of Porte), but he is still pretty in Pink", height:1511}, {"img": "550-PIC113166329-montage.jpg", "desc": "Your mountain time trial winner, Stefano Garzelli"}, {"img": "555-Tappa 16-20.jpg", "desc": "The new King of Kronplatz", height:1734}, {"img": "560-Tappa 16-13.jpg", "desc": "Caisse d'Epargne's David Arroyo receives his new Pink Jersey from fellow Spaniard, Fernando Alonso"}, {"img": "561-PIC113181607.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso is starting to wonder whether he'll make up the 2:27 he needs to topple David Arroyo."}, {"img": "610-garzelli3.jpg", "desc": "Still admiring the somewhat hideous looking winner's crown", height:650}, {"img": "600-Tappa 16-12.jpg", "desc": "Hey King, you want to join today's Giro party?..."}, {"img": "700-Tappa 16-29.jpg", "desc": "The end to a gorgeous day", height:626}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Brunico - Pejo Terme, 173km", "photos" : [{"img": "200-PIC113733753.jpg", "desc": "The peloton working it's way southwest from Brunico, a German-speaking area, just about as far north in Italy as you can get"}, {"img": "220-PIC113704667.jpg", "desc": "Caisse d'Epargne, with their Pink Jersey, was content to let a harmless break go up the road"}, {"img": "240-PIC113751898.jpg", "desc": "The peloton descending the cat 1 Passo delle Palade past the half point on the 173 km stage"}, {"img": "280-PIC113791171.jpg", "desc": "Danilo Hondo (Lampre) driving the break at the base of the final climb to Pejo Terme (length: 9.5 km, a modest avg grade: 4.6%, max grade: 12%)"}, {"img": "285-PIC113794587.jpg", "desc": "Fabio Sabatini was the first man Liquigas sent to the front at the base of the final climb. They weren't interested in catching the break, they more interested in popping a few of the GC contenders off the back"}, {"img": "290-PIC113832507.jpg", "desc": "The win would be contested by Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank), Danilo Hondo (Lampre) and Damien Monier (Cofidis)"}, {"img": "320-PIC113656197.jpg", "desc": "Damien Monier powered away from his breakmates on the steeper grade over the final kms for his first win as an six-year professional"}, {"img": "322-Damien Monier.jpg", "desc": "The 27 year-old Frenchman was a late Cofidis substitute before the start of this year's Giro", height:1339}, {"img": "335-PIC113644991.jpg", "desc": "The consistent pressure by Liquigas on the final climb popped Saxo Bank's Richie Porte off the back in the final km. That's him in white under the 250m sign in the far rear about to lose eight seconds. Carlos Sastre also lost a few seconds."}, {"img": "400-PIC113669829.jpg", "desc": "Our somewhat bewildered winner. Did I really win?"}, {"img": "560-PIC113678377.jpg", "desc": "Our resilient race leader, David Arroyo, dons Pink for the fourth straight day. UCI President Pat McQuaid on hand to give a hand."}, {"img": "565-Maglia Rosa David Arroyo.jpg", "desc": "", height:650}, {"img": "570-PIC113685471.jpg", "desc": "It appears Gilberto Simoni isn't going to win a stage in his last hurrah so a special award from his home region to honor his great career was a nice touch"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Levico Terme - Brescia, 151 km", "photos" : [{"img": "050-Tappa 18-17.jpg", "desc": "Today's start host was Levico Terme. It indeed looks like a great spot to unwind.", height:631}, {"img": "060-Tappa 18-10.jpg", "desc": "Part of the enthusiastic Carovana crew...", height:653}, {"img": "065-Tappa 18-18.jpg", "desc": "... getting the crowd whooped up", height:529}, {"img": "075-Tappa 18-9.jpg", "desc": "DJ Carovana out of control at the controls", height:666}, {"img": "080-PIC114511238.jpg", "desc": "The start party"}, {"img": "081-Tappa 18-6.jpg", "desc": "Welcome to the Giro Club. Italians are so friendly.", height:485}, {"img": "085-Tappa 18-4.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans signing in"}, {"img": "130-PIC114524875.jpg", "desc": "A forlorn fuga (escape/attack) up the road and destine to fail "}, {"img": "150-PIC114548329.jpg", "desc": "Today's route took the peloton down the west side of picturesque Lake Garda. Too bad the weather wasn't better today."}, {"img": "170-Tappa 18-3.jpg", "desc": "Tunnel vision", height:582}, {"img": "290-Tappa 18-8.jpg", "desc": "Meanwhile, a party was kicking up at the finish line in Brescia 151 km away. Today's stage was the shortest road stage of this year's Giro", height:1335}, {"img": "300-PIC114531223.jpg", "desc": "HTC-Columbia's Michael Albasini driving the pace on the circuit in Brescia..."}, {"img": "315-Tappa 18-1.jpg", "desc": "... for Andre Griepel", height:549}, {"img": "317-PIC114382325.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "318-Tappa 18-2.jpg", "desc": "Andre Griepel sits up with a two bike lengths victory", height:634}, {"img": "325-PIC114563839.jpg", "desc": "After 18 stages, he finally gets a win at this year's Giro. Garmin's Julien Dean was 2nd, Sky's Greg Henderson was third.", height:665}, {"img": "327-Tappa 18-15.jpg", "desc": "Now he can \"go home\""}, {"img": "400-PIC114430778.jpg", "desc": "Yes, get your man in Pink ready for tomorrow's big stage"}, {"img": "410-PIC114448730.jpg", "desc": "Sharing the win"}, {"img": "545-PIC114471361.jpg", "desc": "Griepel was still pumped up during the award ceremony"}, {"img": "555-Tappa 18-13.jpg", "desc": "A good way to end his Giro which started slowly (due to illness?)"}, {"img": "560-Tappa 18.jpg", "desc": "David Arroyo dons Pink for the fifth straight day"}, {"img": "565-Tappa 18-14.jpg", "desc": "He's getting good spraying champagne into the crowd with velocity"}, {"img": "600-Greipel2.jpg", "desc": "I'm not going away empty-handed", height:635}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Brescia - Aprica, 195 km", "photos" : [{"img": "270-PIC114889704.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso crested Passo del Mortirolo first followed by Liquigas teammate Vincenzo Nibali and Androni's Michele Scarponi"}, {"img": "273-PIC114890495.jpg", "desc": "Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) was next over 1:30 back"}, {"img": "276-PIC114892884.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans really struggled (cracked?) on the Mortirolo. He was about 7th over the top, 2+ minutes back of the lead group"}, {"img": "280-PIC114893708.jpg", "desc": "David Arroyo hanging tough. He went over the top about 15 seconds after Cadel Evans"}, {"img": "285-PIC114898519.jpg", "desc": "Stefano Garzelli flew up and down the Trivigno, but blew a gasket on Passo del Mortirolo and abandoned. but later got back on his bike to finish 40th (+ 23:08).", height:1511}, {"img": "290-PIC114899266.jpg", "desc": "After most of the lead was lost on the descent due to Ivan Basso's poor descending skills, the lead group with Basso on the front most of the time, again stretched the lead out on the long uphill slog to the finish in Aprica"}, {"img": "295-PIC114900513.jpg", "desc": "Vino, Arroyo, John Gadret, Carlos Sastre and Cadel Evans joined up at the base of the Mortirolo descent to form the chase"}, {"img": "320-PIC114903454.jpg", "desc": "Michele Scarponi did his share on the last climb and also benefited from the Liquigas work to take the win. Basso crossed second and Nibali third"}, {"img": "321-19 tappa-5.jpg", "desc": "Scarponi goes from 8th to 4th on GC"}, {"img": "322-19 tappa-1.jpg", "desc": "", height:655}, {"img": "330-PIC114910321.jpg", "desc": "The chase with the Pink Jersey narrowed the gap to 35 seconds at the base of the final climb, but the gap went up again when the last climb started. Alexandre Vinokourov crossed 4th"}, {"img": "335-PIC114911299.jpg", "desc": "The chase lost 2 1/2 minutes on the final climb crossing 3:05 back of the Basso group"}, {"img": "340-PIC114912642.jpg", "desc": "Despite some heroic descending off Passo del Mortirolo to close the gap, David Arroyo checks the scoreboard and sees that he is now 51 seconds behind Ivan Basso."}, {"img": "555-19 tappa-4.jpg", "desc": "Michele Scarponi celebrates a big mountain stage win", height:603}, {"img": "560-PIC114918705.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso and the sweet smell of success", height:1409}, {"img": "562-19 tappa-3.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso in Pink by 51 seconds heading into another difficult mountain stage on stage 20"}, {"img": "562-19 tappa.jpg", "desc": "Your new race leader"}, {"img": "565-19 tappa-2.jpg", "desc": "It's great to be back on top", height:705}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Bormio - Tonale, 178 km", "photos" : [{"img": "080-Tappa 20-21.jpg", "desc": "Enjoying the leader perks for the first time this month at the start in Bormio"}, {"img": "200-Tappa 20.jpg", "desc": "A sign of the partisan crowd on one of the earlier climbs", height:565}, {"img": "260-PIC115022173.jpg", "desc": "Giberto Simoni dancing his way up to the break near the base of Passo di Gavia"}, {"img": "262-PIC115023833.jpg", "desc": "Simoni was over 2 1/2 hours back on GC so the trailing peloton wasn't concerned"}, {"img": "270-PIC115009891.jpg", "desc": "Johann Tschopp (BBox) and Simoni went over the top of Passo di Gavia at the front of the race with Tschopp winning the Cimi Coppi honors"}, {"img": "270-Tappa 20-1.jpg", "desc": "The peloton on Passo di Gavia"}, {"img": "274-Tappa 20-9.jpg", "desc": "Mostly dry roads with the sun poking through. The forecasted bad weather didn't pan out, thankfully.", height:728}, {"img": "275-Tappa 20-3.jpg", "desc": "The peloton cutting through the high snowbanks", height:581}, {"img": "275-Tappa 20-5.jpg", "desc": "Passo di Gavia panoramic"}, {"img": "275-Tappa 20-7.jpg", "desc": "", height:617}, {"img": "277-Tappa 20-4.jpg", "desc": "Yes, this is turning into the Ivan Basso show", height:1290}, {"img": "280-PIC115038771.jpg", "desc": "Trailing riders making their way over the top", height:1511}, {"img": "282-PIC115042875.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "290-Tappa 20-11.jpg", "desc": "Gavia descent. Watch the melt water and rough payment.", height:508}, {"img": "320-Tappa 20-12.jpg", "desc": "Johann Tschopp (BBox Bouygues Telecom) soloed the descent of Passo di Gavia and the finishing climb to Tonale. That's Cadel Evans in the distance."}, {"img": "322-Tappa 20-17.jpg", "desc": "The 27 year-old Swiss climber captures his biggest career win", height:760}, {"img": "328-Tappa 20-16.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans didn't give up his hopes of moving up the GC or winning the stage", height:747}, {"img": "330-PIC114989341.jpg", "desc": "Cadel Evans crossed 16 seconds later for second"}, {"img": "335-Tappa 20-18.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso pipped Michele Scarponi for 3rd (+ 0:25)", height:586}, {"img": "336-Tappa 20-18-cropped.jpg", "desc": "Two of the best climbers at this year's Giro battling it out right to the end during the last road stage"}, {"img": "340-PIC114992877.jpg", "desc": "David Arroyo didn't leave anything in the tank either. He crossed 5th (+ 0:41) just ahead of Vincenzo Nibali"}, {"img": "550-Tappa 20-13.jpg", "desc": "The Swiss and BBox Bouygues Telecom get their first win at this year's Giro. Johann Tschopp, the stage 20 winner.", height:586}, {"img": "551-Tappa 20-14.jpg", "desc": "\"This is extraordinary,\" Tschopp said \"I have a feeling I'm dreaming. I'm really happy. I'm on another planet.\""}, {"img": "559-Tappa 20-10.jpg", "desc": "Basso donning Pink after the last road stage"}, {"img": "560-basso.jpg", "desc": "Your race leader by 1:15 going into the final stage -- a short time trial"}, {"img": "565-PIC114996766.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "565-Tappa 20-2.jpg", "desc": "The expression says it all", height:1428}, {"img": "568-Tappa 20-8.jpg", "desc": "He said he's not going to celebrate before it's all over but he looks pretty confident", height:1276}, {"img": "569-Tappa 20-15.jpg", "desc": "Pointing out his Pink slip-ons", height:1636}, {"img": "600-Tappa 20-20.jpg", "desc": "Johann Tschopp also giving the thumbs up to today's results"}]}; stages.push(stage); var stage = {"stage": "Verona ITT, 15.3km", "photos" : [{"img": "220-PIC115204350.jpg", "desc": "Lets just jump to the chase. Saxo Bank's Gustav Erik Larsson, the World's silver medalist in the ITT, posted the fastest time of 20:19 over the 15.3 km course", height:1349}, {"img": "280-PIC115185767.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali descending skills paid off again today. Sitting just one second ahead of Michele Scarponi for 3rd going in, Nibali beat Scarponi by 12 seconds to keep the 3rd podium spot."}, {"img": "295-PIC115186985.jpg", "desc": "David Arroyo was safely in 2nd to start the day and that's where he finished. Give the man an applause for a terrific effort over three weeks. By far, the best result of his career."}, {"img": "300-PIC115174140.jpg", "desc": "The Maglia Rosa coming into view and drawing lots of attention"}, {"img": "305-PIC115187287.jpg", "desc": "Ivan Basso placed 15th (+0:45) but that didn't matter. He just had to cross in one piece to secure the overall win."}, {"img": "310-PIC115201901.jpg", "desc": "The post-race celebrations took place in the Verona Arena"}, {"img": "328-Arena Verona.jpg", "desc": "Here comes the last rider of the day, Ivan Basso...", height:642}, {"img": "330-Tappa 21-4.jpg", "desc": "... to a big round of applause", height:606}, {"img": "500-PIC115159845.jpg", "desc": "Basso and his bambini", height:1511}, {"img": "548-PIC115161350.jpg", "desc": "The kids like to see Daddy don Pink"}, {"img": "550-PIC115169642.jpg", "desc": "The GC Podium as captured by our partisan Italian photographer. Spanish rider and 2nd place finisher David Arroyo is off screen left. Here are the Italians, Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali."}, {"img": "564-Tappa 21.jpg", "desc": "Four years after his first Giro win, Ivan Basso returns to the top of Italian cycling", height:686}, {"img": "565-Tappa 21-2.jpg", "desc": "Pretty in Pink once again. Apparently, Basso is looking to parlay Pink into Yellow: \"I am ready to go to the Tour and fight\" he said post-race.", height:614}, {"img": "568-PIC115189316.jpg", "desc": "A huge credit goes to Basso's entire Liquigas team who won the TTT and were clearly the strongest team in the race"}, {"img": "570-PIC115172156.jpg", "desc": "Liquigas successfully carried the weight of the nation on their shoulders this past month"}, {"img": "590-Le 4 maglie.jpg", "desc": "The jersey winners: 1 Italian and 3 Aussies", height:631}, {"img": "600-4maglie2.jpg", "desc": "Mountains Classification: Matt Lloyd (Omega-Pharma Lotto), Points Competition: Cadel Evans (BMC), GC: Ivan Basso (Liguigas) and Best Young Rider: Richie Porte (Saxo Bank)", height:1029}]}; stages.push(stage); /** {"img": "600-Tappa 16-12.jpg", "desc": "Hey King, you want to join today's Giro party?..."}, var stage = {"stage": "2008 photos (2010 preview)", "photos" : [{"img": "017.jpg", "desc": "Franco Pellizotti won the first edition of the Plan de Corones in 2008"}, {"img": "020.jpg", "desc": "Dennis Menchov"}, {"img": "026.jpg", "desc": "The Maglia Rosa, Alberto Contador was 4th +0:22"}, {"img": "029.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "036.jpg", "desc": "Max grade of 24%"}, {"img": "039.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "040.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "042.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "046.jpg", "desc": "A support motorcycle fell over on the step grade and the support person just ended up running after his rider"}, {"img": "050.jpg", "desc": "", height:1511}, {"img": "090.jpg", "desc": "Unpaved at the top with a max grade of 24%"}, {"img": "092.jpg", "desc": "The ski slopes"}, {"img": "094.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "102.jpg", "desc": "finishing with a wheelie"}, {"img": "108.jpg", "desc": "breaking out the paperboy weave"}, {"img": "113.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "117.jpg", "desc": ""}, {"img": "118.jpg", "desc": "", height:1507}]}; stages.push(stage);*/