Cioni says
This is always an interesting phase of the race. Broadly speaking there are two types of riders – those getting stronger and those getting weaker. Everyone is feeling it and basic physiology determines who’s in which camp.
So it’s becoming clear who can’t win the Giro, even if we don’t yet know who will win it. It looks fascinating and as a cycling fan it’s one I’d want to go to see because anything could happen. It’s long, it’s up and down all day, and it’s in the south. If it rains down there it can be tricky and most of the towns you go through have a cobbled section. Then the people tend to get very close to the racers, so it presents a unique set of problems.
With guys like Contador riding, anyone who’s having a bad day could pay heavily. It won’t decide the Giro, but you can be sure that the winner will be a high class rider…
Moment in time
Benevento would wait a further 40 years before hosting its second Giro stage, the fourth of the 1965 edition. And what a peculiar stage it was. Nothing much happened for six soporific hours, but then all hell broke loose 40km from home. A group of seven went away, among them ace sprinters Cribiori, Durante and Dancelli. Also present was Giro newbie Albano Negro, from Vicenza, who stood third on GC. If, therefore, they could gain 37 seconds on maglia rosa Luciano Galbo, he’d become the first Vicentino ever to lead the race.
The problem was that little Galbo was a valuable domestique for Franco Balmamion and Italo Zilioli, two of the favourites. They plonked themselves on the front, had their Sanson team organise the chase, and set about reeling in Negro and co. So that was that. Wasn’t it?
As they came within striking distance, Balmamion punctured. Now Sanson were forced to wait, because he was a two-time Giro winner and strongly fancied again. Thus the chase lost impetus and, with no particular vested interest elsewhere, Galbo’s pink jersey disappeared up the road. Negro lost the jersey two days later and neither he nor Galbos would ever wear it again.
-
Melbourne to Warrnambool and Women's Warrnambool Cycling Classic under review given bushfire in the Otways
"All options are being considered including re-scheduling and re-routing" said organiser for the one-day races, which are part of ProVelo Super League -
Sam Welsford win's men's Cadel's Criterium, sprinting to victory from the break
Close battle with Jensen Plowright while Matteo Sobrero snares third -
Martina Fidanza wins women's Cadel's Criterium, holds off pursuit of SD Worx duo
Marta Lach second and Barbara Guarischi third in 40km replacement race for cancelled Surf Coast Classic -
Tour de Bloom says 'no thank you' to UCI designation for elite women but expands to six days, Canadian cyclo-cross team named for Worlds, and more - North American Roundup
Marlies Mejías uses crowdfunding in quest for third Olympic Games berth; sprinter Jim Brown and all-rounder Noah Granigan added to L39ION of Los Angeles roster
