Volcanic interruption: Mount Etna and the Giro d'Italia

Cycling : 94th Giro Italia 2011/ Stage 9
Illustration Illustratie / Peleton Peloton / ETNA (1892m) Vulcano Vulkaan / Landscape Paysage Landschap /
Messina - Etna (169 Km)/
Tour of Italie / Tour d'Italie / d'Italia / Ronde van Italie / Etape Rit/(c)Tim De Waele
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Giro d'Italia didn't climb Mount Etna when it first visited Sicily in 1930, but the volcano made an impact on the race all the same. Or, more accurately, on the eventual race winner. Luigi Marchisio's debut Giro risked coming to a premature end when he was struck in the eye by a chip of volcanic rock as the gruppo skirted the base of Etna on stage 2.

Undeterred, the 21-year-old stayed in the race, won the next day's stage to Messina and held the overall lead all the way to Milan, even though he was compelled to wear a bandage over his eye for several days. 

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan is Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.