Trek-Segafredo on stage (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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There was love for Michele Scarponi from the tifosi (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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'Amore Infinito' is the catchphrase of the Giro 100 (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The Sardinian flag of the Moors, I quattro mori, flies high (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Dimension Data wave from the podium (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Caleb Ewan with a face of concentration (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Valerio Agnoli of Bahrain-Merida relaxes back stage (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Trek-Segafredo's Italian champion Giacomo Nizzolo is definitely excited for the Giro (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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The Sardinian and Italian flags fly at the team presentation (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The tifosi out in support at the team presentation (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
A balmy Thursday evening in Alghero was the scene and setting for 2017 Giro d'Italia team presentation with the tifosi coming out in force and adding to a sea of pink that has swept through Sardinia this week.
The Astana team was the first of the Giro squads to be presented on stage in honour Michele Scarponi who was killed in a training ride accident last month. Fabio Aru, the team's premier GC rider, was forced out of the race due to injury but the proud Sardinian was on hand as he welcomed his teammates.
The festive atmosphere continued through the presentation with loud cheers in particular for Italian champion Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) and two-time winner Vincenzo Nibali of Bahrain-Merida.
With the presentation over, the teams and riders quickly turned their attention to tomorrow's stage 1. However, for wild card team Bardiani-CSF, the evening turned into a nightmare with confirmation that two of its riders returned adverse analytical finding for growth hormone releasing peptides. Stefano Pirazzi and Nicola Ruffoni were kicked off the team for the Giro with the race now starting under dark skies that, quickly changing from the blue and sparkling sunset of Thursday.
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