Di Luca and Cunego in a Tight Sprint, Stage 3
Early Escape, stage 7 Giro
Giro: Bettini still in Pink, Cooke battles on.
Michael Barry "there were a few obstacles: garbage cans, cars, spectators, that we had to avoid."
Giro d'Italia, Italy
Stage 9, Firenze - Ravenna, 139K
16 May
Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
Anytime ... Anywhere
Stage List, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
A climb smack in the middle of the course and a flat finishing straight. You could bet the farm this would end in a field sprint. And, it did.
A suicide break of 2 riders early on secured some TV time for Quick-Step and Gerolsteiner. They were reeled in just as expected with a rabid peloton frothing at the mouth chasing them down. No surprises there.
![Danielson](javascript:ImagePopup("../../photo/2005/GeorgiaTour/1/TdgDanielsonTalks.jpg", 392, 591, "Danielson Final GC"); "Danielson Final GC of 2005 Dodge Tour Of Georgia, photo: Tour of Georgia")
Danielson talks, photo: Tour of Georgia
Stage 9 saw the hopes of Tom Danielson squashed when he was forced to abandon due to a sore knee. I can only imagine what kind of disappointment he is feeling at the moment. He must be at a low point But, he is young and it could be one of the best learning experiences of his career. I wish him good luck.
Alessandro Petacchi finally comes through and takes a stage win. At the start I would have bet he would have about 5 or 6 by now. But, it hasn't been a Giro for Ale-Jet. He is much more suited for a no-nonsense finishing straight. This Giro is a bit too unconventional for that. But, there is still half to go. And, let us not lose our perspective, most sprinters would give their left....well, let's just say that one stage win is a pretty good haul for any other sprinter during a 3-week stage race. We have just come to expect Petacchi to win anything and everything that is not an uphill finish.
![Dust Devil](javascript:ImagePopup("../../photo/2005/other/DustDevilNameFrame.jpg", 640, 343, "Dust Devil's Daily Wrap"); "Dust Devil's Daily Wrap")
And I would like to give a mention to Paolo Bettini. Almost nothing is off limits for Il Grillo to take a dig and go for victory. Second place today up there bumping elbows in a pack sprint with Petacchi and McEwen at 67 kph (40 MPH) is not for the faint of heart! You have to admire that kind of moxy in a rider. Fearless! It reminds me of Robert De Niro in "Taxi Driver". "Anytime.....anywhere........"
The Dust Devil
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?)"