Giro d'Italia Cycling News Special for May 30, 2005

Edited by Jeff Jones

Vox-pop

Once again, Cyclingnews' John Trevorrow was our man on the spot at the Giro's final stage in Milan. He canvassed a number of riders both before and after the 20th stage, and here's what they said.

Post-stage

Michael Barry (Discovery Channel, 95th)

"It was awesome just to get Paolo home safely. We were a bit worried coming onto these circuits because anything can happen, crashes etcetera. We just had to be sure we got him safe across the line and we did that, so it was great.

Antonio Cruz (Discovery, 124th)

"Man, it's an awesome feeling. It's the first time I've been on a team that's won a grand tour."

Were you nervous today? "This wasn't a very good circuit, I didn't think, for the last stage. It was very dangerous, a bit rough. We stayed up the front, out of trouble, stayed healthy. Now we'll move onto the next one."

Brett Lancaster (Panaria, 61st)

"It's been a long three weeks, especially the last weeks with the flu/bronchitis. I got Grillo up there again, but it's a bit hard with two of us. We need an extra man to give us a hand. Same old story. Grillo's got a lot of talent and he's going to go a long way. If we had a couple more guys on the team, we could really do the job for him. Next year."

Matt White (Cofidis, 143rd)

Matt White made the longest break of the day when he attacked with four laps to go and held off the peloton for two laps, although his gap was no more than 5 seconds. "Yeah, we thought we'd have a go. No presents for Petacchi. We thought we'd take him on, give it a bit of a run, have a show on the circuit. I'm feeling really good. Now I'll get ready for the Tour."

White also wished to clarify his comments made after Stage 17 about his team putting him in with another sick rider. "When I told them [his team] that the other guy was sick, they put me in a room of my own," said White, who said that his team was very professional.

Matt Wilson (Francaise des Jeux, 145th)

Matt Wilson made a late attack with just under two laps to go, but he admitted, "It was a bit futile today, they were just going so fast. It's good to get another grand tour under the belt and have a bit of a break."

Pre-stage

Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel)

"That was an amazing day yesterday. I'm just glad it worked out OK for Paolo."

Is it a special feeling to ride into Milan with the winner today? "It should be good. Well, it'll be great! It's been unbelievable all year, it's been fantastic just to be part of this team."

Michael Barry (Discovery Channel)

"It's a fantastic feeling, and it's been a privilege just to be able to support [Paolo] through the three weeks. I really admire him, He's an awesome leader and a really good guy."

Brad Wiggins (Credit Agricole)

"Oh yeah, I'm looking forward to it. It's a really good atmosphere. It was really good yesterday when everyone formed the gruppetto, and everyone knew they were 'safe'. It was a really good feeling."

How was the dirt road on the Finestre? "It wasn't as bad as everyone was saying. I think they put something on top of it compared to what I'd seen on TV a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't bad at all."

What if it had rained? "Oh well, that would have been a different story."

Wiggins is also hoping to ride the Tour de France for Credit Agricole. "I'm in the selection. Of course, they've got to look at French riders - it is a French team after all. But if I go, I'll pull the sprints for Thor [Hushovd]. Intermediate sprints as well, which is so important for the green jersey because the last few green jerseys have only been won by four or five points either way."

Wiggins added that he wasn't going to ride the British Championships in June: "I'm not going to ride, because the course doesn't suit me. Plus I'm looking forward to the day before where I'm going to be in the centre box at Wimbledon!"

Dave Zabriskie (CSC)

"I'm happy with the Giro. It's a tough race. It'll be good to catch up with loved ones, get a bit of rest."

Are you down for the Tour? "Maybe. We'll see. One race at a time."

Christian Vandevelde (CSC)

"It'll be a lot of fun. It'll be flat out racing once we get on the circuit. I don't know the circuit. It'll be hard for the teams on the front. Thank God it's not us!"

Russell Van Hout (Selle Italia)

"I'm going to have the team working for me on the back of the bunch today to protect the maglia nera. It's going to be hard work but I've got a good lead. I should be able to hold it."

Trent Wilson (Selle Italia)

"I'm looking forward to the easy ride into Milan, a couple of drinks on the way, hanging on for the fast part, and then the big drink tonight," he said.

Brett Lancaster (Panaria)

"Same old. Try and get Grillo up the front, try and step into line at some time. My standard role."

Are you happy with your Giro? "Yeah. Amazing what the difference just a tad over one kilometre can make. I've still got this damn bronchitis. It's been with me for weeks. At least we've got through it. I've also showed my stuff this year in getting the sprinters up there and going."

Are any of the big teams interested in you now? "I've got another year with these guys," he said with a smirk.

Matt Wilson (Francaise des Jeux)

"It's a great day, the last day. We've got ice creams planned for 15 km down the road. Chocolates and champagne and everything. It's an enjoyable day, then you've gotta race for the final 60 km. I'm feeling good, I'd like to have another go if I can. Hopefully Mark [Renshaw] can get up in the sprint."

Mark Renshaw (Francaise des Jeux)

"Actually, I'm feeling a bit sore in the legs, and a bit sore in the hip. We'll just see how it pans out. I'll have a go at the finish. I'm glad I got to Milan. I'm absolutely rapt just to be here."

What of the tactics yesterday, where you got in the first break. How was that saving your legs? "On the radio, I heard there was a bonus sprint with a bit of money, so I went for that, and next minute I was away. Then I thought I might as well stay away and get over the first climb. It didn't look like it, but I was trying to save my legs!"

Henk Vogels (Davitamon-Lotto)

"Good...mate...beauty." [some words were deleted]. "I really plan to do my best to get on the podium today, get on that train somewhere, get right in the mix. Somewhere near Bettini and with a bit of luck, I'll be able to pay him back for the other day. But that's bikes. That'll happen in the sprint one way or another. It's going to be very hard to beat Petacchi...I've had quite a few top 10s in this tour, it would be a good finale to get on the podium."

Rory Sutherland (Rabobank)

"Nearly over, nearly over. It was an amazing day yesterday. I admire anyone who finishes this Giro. It's been really tough. Yesterday's stage was a real challenge. It was so tough yesterday to stay in the gruppetto. It wasn't easy out there."

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