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30 May 2005

31 May News ...

Il Falco Flies Over the Streets of Milano and a 2005 Giro Victory

Fassa Bortolo fast-man, Alessandro Petacchi, took out the last stage on the sun-soaked streets of Milano. It was the fourth stage win for Petacchi, bettering McEwen's three this year. Also in the gruppo was the bergamasco, Paolo Savoldelli, sporting the final maglia rosa of the 2005 Giro d'Italia. It was Savoldelli's second win and, like 2002, fought hard to the end.

This Giro d'Italia had it all. From the exciting fight between Bettini and Di Luca for the early GC lead, the stage battles of McJet and Ale-Jet, to the Parra and Basso double stage wins. The struggles were there too. Cunego, Garzelli, Simoni and Basso all experienced their own pains, transforming the race to beauty. BiciRace.com's heart pumps hard for those riders like Rujano and Zabel, riders who are underdogs, but fought hard. Every rider made the race spectacular but the final nod of the head goes to il Falco. Viva Il Falco! Dai Dai Dai Paolo!

Stage 20 Photos

Yesterday, the final day of the Giro d'Italia, was a hot day. BiciRace.com was out in the sun, enjoying the weather and taking photos. Please enjoy the final installment of Giro d'Italia photos from stage 20.

 

Toe-to-knee coverage on the 88th Giro d'Italia
Startlist, Classifications, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
Key Stages, Stages and Maps, Overall Map
Photos

Marco Pinotti: Giro, Home, then Philadelphia

Marco Pinotti (Saunier Duval - Prodir) writes at the end of a long Giro d'Italia. He is happy with his health and the experiences of a grand tour. Marco now faces more traveling, packing his suitcase for an almost immediate departure to Philadelphia. "This evening I will stay at home with my wife. Tomorrow I will fly to the USA for a week to race at the USPro in Philadelphia." Read BiciRace.com's Inside Scoop from Marco.

Colle delle Finestre Returns

Jean-Marie Leblanc, director of the Tour de France, was at the Giro d'Italia for the last few days to view the organization. More importantly, the Tour director was eyeing the Colle delle Finestre. The inside scoop is that this graveled climb will be included in the 2006 version of the Tour de France. The Tour riders would have to face the climb in the same direction, ascending the gravel side and descending on he smooth pavement side. More details to follow, keep your browser locked into BiciRace.com.

Boonen Wins Overall Tour of Belgium

Belgian wonder-kid Tom Boonen wrapped up overall victory at the Tour of Belgium on Sunday, leading the five-day race from day 1 and taking two stage wins. Tom Boonen heads home with the overall leader's jersey, and another victory to an already great year.

Rujano, Maglia Verde

José Rujano wrapped up his Giro d'Italia nicely, winning the Maglia Verde and the last mountain stage. For Rujano this was his 9th victory as a pro, and his biggest to date. The Venezuelan is only 23 years of age, 1.62m and 49kg (5.3ft, 108lb). From a small village just west of Caracas, Rujano used to gather coffee beans before stage wins. Now there is no turning back.

Stage 19: Simoni's Time Gains

The guys in the BiciRace.com graphics office spent all morning drinking espresso and preparing this wonderful chart. It is a depiction of Simoni's time gains, in respect to Savoldelli, on the last mountain stage (stage 19). By the top of the Colle delle Finestre, Simoni had the virtual maglia rosa. Then at the finish line, thanks to il Falco's descending and the Davitamon-Lotto boys, Simoni only had pulled back 1'29". It was a lot of time, but not enough to secure the maglia rosa.

29 May News ...