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Marco Pinotti, Saunier Duval - Prodir
15 April 2005
Preview of the Giro Stages
Photos: Dario Sumin
![Marco Pinotti Finestre](javascript:ImagePopup("../../photo/2005/FinestreTrainingSdp/SuminDarioPinottiZauggGarateFinestre.jpg", 640, 427, "Marco Pinotti Colle delle Finestre"); "Marco Pinotti training on bad roads on the Colle delle Finestre, photo: Dario Sumin")
Bad roads on the Colle delle Finestre
I just got back home after 2 days down and back by car and on the bike to recognize some of the key points of the Giro 2005. I went to the autoroute where Algeri picked me up and we went to Tuscany.
Both days I woke up at 5.30. Yesterday we rode for about 30 K of the time trial that finishes in Florence, with the climb of Pinone (a hard climb for a TT). Then we changed bikes and rode the 2nd climb of the stage that finishes in Pistoia. There were 5 of us: me, Garate, Mori, Zaugg and Tafi, who lives in Lamporecchio where the Time Trial begins. The second climb (S.Mommè) is very steep and will be a key point for the first half of the Giro, even if the hardest point is 3km long.
Later this morning we went to Torino to see the route of the last TT, with the steeper climb of Superga. The descent is very technical, and only a few kms are flat; but I think I will use the TT bike both times.
![Pinotti and Zaugg](javascript:ImagePopup("../../photo/2005/FinestreTrainingSdp/SuminDarioPinottiZauggFinestre.jpg", 378, 640, "Pinotti and Zaugg Climb Finestre"); "Pinotti and Zaugg Climb Finestre, photo: Dario Sumin")
![Climbing the Finestre](javascript:ImagePopup("../../photo/2005/FinestreTrainingSdp/SuminDarioUpFinestre.jpg", 600, 531, "Climbing the Finestre"); "Climbing the Colle delle Finestre, photo: Dario Sumin")
![Marco Finestre](javascript:ImagePopup("../../photo/2005/FinestreTrainingSdp/SuminDarioPinottiSideOfFinestre.jpg", 640, 427, "Marco on the side of Finestre"); "Marco on the side of Finestre, photo: Dario Sumin")
Then we went by car to Susa, where the terrible Colle delle Finestre begins. We rode about 15 k, then we had to stop because the final 8 km were without asphalt and we rode in the mud (italian= fango). The climb is very long and very very hard. I think it will be a long day. It's crazy to ride on a road that seems to belong to the XIX century...You will see it on TV. Enjoy it!
Marco
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