Di Luca and Cunego in a Tight Sprint, Stage 3
Early Escape, stage 7 Giro
Giro: Bettini still in Pink, Cooke battles on.
Colle delle Finestre, Marco Pinotti
16 May 2005
17 May News ...
l'americano Gets Giro Stage Win
![David Zabriskie, TT Winner](javascript:ImagePopup("../../photo/2005/Giro/08/siteDavidZabriskieKiss.jpg", 512, 376, "David Zabriskie, TT Winner"); "David Zabriskie, TT Winner, photo: DD")
David Zabriskie, TT Winner, photo: DD
Adding to Andy Hampsten, Greg LeMond and Ron Keifel, Fred Rodriguez and Tyler Hamilton before him, David Zabriskie put his name down as one of the few Americans to score a stage victory in the Giro d'Italia. Of note is that when Tyler Hamilton won his stage, it was also a TT. Further, Tyler was on Team CSC at the time and guided by super Bjarne Riis.
"I'm very happy with my victory. I started early, so it was quite nerve wrecking to watch the other guys on TV. On the last part of the course we had headwinds, and I knew that would be to my advantage because of my position on the bike. I'm a time trial specialist, and this is definitely a victory I've dreamt about for a long time. I was allowed to take it easy in yesterday's stage, so I was able to aim for something big today," said Zabriskie to Team CSC afterwards.
His Team CSC stole the big show on the big day, stage 8. In the much anticipated TT, from Lamporecchio to Firenze, Zabriskie pushed the pedals at an average of 46.14, clocking a time of 58'31". Zabriskie did not get any TV time, except when he was on the podium, because he was in the first 15 to leave the start house. It was an amazing ride by Zabriskie, and also his teammate, Ivan Basso. Basso finished 2nd on the stage, but more importantly he put time chunks into his key rivals.
It was a hard day in the Toscana sun for the boys of Lampre-Caffita. Damiano Cunego and Gilberto Simoni lost a good portion of time to their adversaries, Savoldelli and Basso. Today, Cunego and Simoni lost 2'07" and 2'35" to Basso. Cunego is appearing to be the leader, as now Simoni is 1 minute back to Cunego on the GC. Either way, the Lampre-Caffita boys have their work cut out for them.
BiciRace.com tip's it's cloth cycling cap to David Zabriskie, great job yesterday!
Stage 9, A Day For Sprinters?
It is hard to make any predictions with this Giro d'Italia. In theory today's stage 9, from Firenze to Ravenna, should be an Alessandro Petacchi win, but he seems to be doomed in this year's race. (Stage Profile)
![Stage Profile](javascript:ImagePopup("../../map/2005/Giro/Giro09.jpg", 640, 480, "Stage Map");){kind=link}
It is an "easier" day for the riders, with just one big GPM starting at 33K into the stage. The Passo del Muraglione, is a 2nd category GPM with an average gradient of 6.3% (max 10%). The climb should act as a springboard for a fuga (escape), but it is a long distance to the finish. Leaving plenty of time for the sprinter's teams to get organized. Expect to see T-Mobile, Davitamon-Lotto, and Fassa Bortolo at the front reeling in any potential danger.
Just what does the weather forecast look like for the riders? Well, today in Italy it is gray and rainy. They should encounter off-and-on rain and temperatures near 22°C. The riders will be making their way out of Firenze, over the Apennine and into the Po Valley. It is a Northeast direction that will see them facing up to the Dolomites in the coming days.
A Day of Pirates
If you are at the Giro d'Italia stage 9 finish today in Ravenna then you will be greeted by Pirates. Today in Ravenna is the stage finish and all of the city will be dedicated to il Pirata, Marco Pantani. It was with a team based in Ravenna that Pantani made his way as an amateur, and the city remembers him fondly. So be on the look out for black bandanas and yellow jerseys, in Pantani's honor.
Giro d'Italia Classifications
Maglia Rosa: Di Luca still heads this classification, but not for long. Ivan Basso, thanks to his stellar TT ride, moved into second on GC, ahead of Savoldelli and Cunego.
Maglia Ciclamino: Di Luca is tops in this category too, but it will be the Aussie, Robbie McEwen, who will wear the sprinter's jersey since he's sitting nicely in second place.
Maglia Verde: There were not many changes in the climbing department. Koldo Gil (Liberty Seguros-Würth) is still sporting the green tunic followed by Rujano Guillen (Selle Italia-Colombia) and Thorwald Veneberg (Rabobank).
Maglia Azzurra: Big Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) leads the Quick Step boys, Bettini and Zanini, for the right to wear the cool blue jersey of Intergiro leader.
- Paco
How Does The Intergiro Competition Work?
Ah, you are still confused about the Maglia Azzurra (or blu)? You are among many, but do not worry. Here is the BiciRace.com explanation: There is a designated "Intergiro" point for each stage, marked by an "i" on the stage maps. At the Intergiro point the time is marked for the first six riders. The Intergiro (blue) jersey is awarded after each stage to the rider who has the lowest Intergiro cumulative time. So, in a sense, it is a half-way Giro, a race to the half-way point.
It is hard to determine the winner of this competition. It could be a rider who likes to go in breaks, but does not typically have the strength to win a stage. A true GC rider, mountain-man, or sprint-gun won't waste their efforts on the Intergiro classification, however it is a prize that is worthy of fighting for. Below are the past winners to help understand the type of riders that can win the blue Intergiro jersey.
Read the complete Giro d'Italia classification break-down.
Basso Aiming Low
Ivan Basso of Team CSC rode a storming TT to finish 2nd to his teammate, Dave Zabriskie. But Basso's Cervélo machine was not ideal for the day. After a long TT hammering on Tuscan roads Basso finished with his saddle tip pointing south. Fortunately this did not cause any major difficulties for Basso, but it must not have been comfortable. Perhaps he was hammering for too long on the tip, putting in major time chunks into the Lampre-Caffita boys.
Dust Devil's Daily Wrap: CSC strikes back!
The Dust Devil is thrilled with Team CSC and also Il Falco. "He [Savoldelli] is such a cool rider. Anybody who can descend at 80mph is a cool rider in my book!" Read the Dust Devil's Daily Wrap, CSC strikes back!
Toe-to-knee coverage on the 88th Giro d'Italia (we are now around the shin)
Startlist, Classifications, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
Key Stages, Stages and Maps, Overall Map
Photos
Jan Ullrich and Gaby Separated After 11 Years
"I have separated from my long-time life companion Gaby." This was the news coming out of Jan Ullrich's headquarters today. After 11 years together, Jan Ullrich has separated from his partner, Gaby. In 2003 the couple had a daughter, Sarah, and will look out for her best interest.
According to Jan Ullrich the two will continue to live in the same town. "My home continues to remain in Scherzingen... Here I have the best training requirements for a successful continuation of my sport-career."
15 May News ...
Stefano Garzelli - "I have heard of Danielson and I know that he is very strong in the climbs. Together with Paolo, they will be a very terrible twosome!"
Koldo Gil Going for Win, Giro Coverage
Pedro Delgado Interview - "In my opinion, of the directors I know, I like Vicente Belda the most."
Chat with the Director Sportivo, "Very beautiful and "rigida"( how do you say in English?)"
Tom Danielson Interview, Before the Giro d'Italia, "We looked at Lance a lot for that stage. And if I was able to do it, then I was going to try to do it. Lance had a lot of faith in me, and kind of stressed me out a little bit..."
Joseba Beloki Interview, "I'm not a real attacking kind of rider, but to attack one needs to have both confidence and physical strength to spare."
He was often criticized by the nay-sayers for not getting over the big mountains. True, he never made it to Paris. But, he knows his talents. He got paid to win races and get publicity for his sponsors., "The End of an Era"