LOCAL HERO Today the Giro heads inland to Basilicata. Historically one of Italy's poorest regions, it's always been light on commercial and sporting success. Finally, however, its cycling fans have something – or someone – to cheer about.
Little Domenico Pozzovivo's is a story of triumph over adversity. He gave up cycling when it became apparent there was no way forward in his homeland. He took up football instead, but cycling had him in its spell. He moved north to Piedmont in the hope of getting ahead, and his audacious climbing has been a feature ever since.
They're immensely proud of him in Basilicata, and with good reason. Aside from having won a cracking stage at the 2012 Giro he's intelligent, polite and urbane; a really good ambassador for his region. Today the stage will roll straight through Montalbano Jonico, his home town. Chances are the gruppo will allow him to ride ahead alone, and he's sure of a hero's welcome. Then he'll settle back and wait for the big mountains of the north.
SEE, HEAR, FEEL... At first glance Viggiano, a comune of 3000 or so just south of Potenza, appears an odd choice for a Giro stage finish. Like much of the area it was decimated by outward migration in the 50s and 60s, and it's hardly a hotbed of sporting heritage. Look closer though, and the bigger picture starts to emerge.
The Giro's presence is in large measure an attempt to draw attention the region. Nearby Matera, famed for the Sassi cave dwellings, has a bid in to become European City of Culture in 2019, and Basilicata is throwing open its doors to the world. The Giro stage is therefore important strategically because it's a clear sign that the area is ready to welcome all-comers. They reckon both tourists and the business community will be pleasantly surprised by what lies in store, and they're not wrong. Basilicata truly is Italy's undiscovered jewel.
MOMENT IN TIME The Giro bestows great races, and also great winners. The problem is that they tend to be mutually exclusive. The likes of Merckx, Binda and Coppi were great champions, but the giri they won weren't always the most riveting. They produced great performances, but they didn't always make for great racing.
The same could be said for Vittorio Adorni in 1965. At the outset he'd been second favourite behind Italo Zilioli, but on stage six to Potenza he produced an astounding show of force. Runner-up Franco Bitossi lost almost three minutes, Zilioli over four. Thereafter Adorni was so majestic that he won the Giro by 11 minutes. It was the best display since Coppi's 1953 masterpiece, but it was hardly edge-of-the-seat stuff.
SCINTO SAYS The Giro starts to ask questions of them today, though it's quite a difficult stage to call. The maglia rosa contenders will hope that the break goes early, that it's got decent riders in it, and that there are enough of them for it to stay away. It's good for them if it does – albeit not by too much – because they don't want to race unless there absolutely forced to. At this point they're concerned with spending as little energy as they can, and about looking after their gregari as much as possible.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
