I was literally up with the sun this morning just to be sure that I would catch a train and arrive in Gabicce Mare, Italy with enough time to secure a prime viewing spot for today's stage of the Giro d'Italia. Stage 8 was a 54.8 kilometer individual time trial on a tough and unusually hilly course. Each of the 201 remaining riders of the original 207 started at 1 minute intervals, with the final 15 riders going at 3 minute intervals, in reverse order of the general classification.
The start was a short walk from the train station in Cattolica. I quickly picked up some snacks from a bakery and made a beeline for the starting area. The riders wouldn't begin for several hours yet so the only people around were the Giro crew, police, and local cyclists hoping to ride the course before the pros did. I had no problem parking myself just beyond the 10 meters sign where I spent the next while watching the starting podium take shape.
Fans slowly started to accumulate. Usually the barricades are decorated with flags and signs but most of today's fans came empty handed. An exception was this guy who paid tribute to Marco Pantani, a great but troubled Italian cyclist who died from an overdose in 2004.
Alone and in pairs, cyclists emerged from the team area for some last minute scouring of the course. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Belarus) and Salvatore Puccio (Italy) of Sky.
A minute later, Bradley Wiggins (Great Britain, Sky) pulled up to talk with his crew. (Note the gold finishings unique to bike.)
Over the course of the morning, I spotted riders from just about each of the 23 participating teams.
The Giro is about passion for cycling but it's primarily about making money as far as the sponsors are concerned. There was a human caravan handing out trinkets to eager fans before they all did a choreographed dance to what I can only presume to be the official Giro song. There was even a mascot (a mountain goat??).
Meanwhile, riders were still scouting the course–or trying to. This poor guy from Colombia got stuck for several minutes waiting for a folk dancing troop and a marching band to move on.
About half an hour before the start, a woman in a flowing gown walked out carrying the Giro trophy on display. I'd only ever seen it on television before and it really is gorgeous.
Finally it was time for the main event! Sitting 1:24:12 behind the leader after stage 7, Australia's Jack Bobridge of Blanco had the dubious honor of being in dead last place, meaning he would go first today. I don't know how much Italian he speaks but he seemed relaxed and smiled away while the emcees chartered in Italian.
I took a photo of all of the 200 riders who started the stage (France's Julien Berard of AG2R did not start) but I won't overload you, dear reader. Instead, here are some of what I consider the highlights. (Although if you'd like to see a picture of someone not included in this post, tell me who you want to see in the comment section below!)
A deep exhale from David Millar (Great Britain, Garmin).
Davide Appollonio (Italy, AG2R) took so long to arrive at the starting podium that Nathan Haas (USA, Garmin) moved in to wait for his turn. Appollinio showed up in time.
Gert Steegmans (Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Belgium) sporting a bandage.
Robbie Hunter (South Africa, Garmin).
In the Italian tricolor, time trial champion Dario Cataldo (Italy, Sky).
I always thought riders were just grimacing at the start but after watching today, I realized that many of them are actually smiling! The audience, though large, was almost dead quiet. When he was introduced, Iljo Keisse (Belgium, Omega Pharma-Quick Step) motioned to the crowd to cheer louder for him. He still has a grin on his face when he pedaled onto the course.
Taylor Phinney (USA, BMC).
Canadian time trial champion, Svein Tuft (Orica-GreenEDGE). I gave him a cheer that was plenty loud.
Thomas Dekker (Netherlands, Garmin) loved being the center of attention and hammed it up for as long as he could on the podium.
Alex Dowsett (Movistar), the British time trial champion, was among those I saw riding the course this morning.
The time trial champion of Australia, Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEDGE).
Ioannis Tamouridis (Euskaltel-Euskadi), the Greek time trial champion.
Looking like a bumblebee, my new favorite rider of Vini Fantini since a member of his crew handed me his unused water bottle at the Ronde van Vlaanderen last month, Oscar Gatto (Italy).
The first rider to get much reaction from the spectators was Cav (Great Britain, Omega Pharma-Quick Step). He looked so calm, probably because he knew he wasn't expected to win today. He's in red because he is leading the points classification.
A few riders later was Pippo Pozzato (Italy, Katusha), always a crowd pleaser. See how he's looking off to the side and sticking his tongue out and smiling? Pippo was making that face for the benefit of a young man in a wheelchair, who was absolutely beaming after Pippo's antics.
I don't know if this is his preferred look or if he's exploring other career options but John Degenkolb (Germany, Argos-Shimano) has a serious 70s porn mustache.
As you'll know if you follow this blog closely, Garmin is my favorite team so I gave a huge cheer for Christian Vande Velde (USA, Garmin) who acknowledged me with a smile and a wave!
The time trial champion of Slovenia, Robert Vrecer (Euskaltel-Euskadi).
Ramunas Navardauskas (Garmin), time trial champ of Lithuania.
Ben Gastauer (AG2R), time trial champion of Luxembourg.
Adam Hansen (Australia, Lotto Belisol), winner of stage 7 yesterday and celebrating his 32nd birthday today!
Peter Stetina (USA) of Garmin.
Peleton veteran, Vladimir Karpets (Russia, Movistar).
Tanel Kangert (Estonia, Astana).
Bradley Wiggins (Great Britain, Sky).
As soon as he stepped on the podium, Rigoberto Uran (Colombia, Sky) began to signal to his support car that his earpiece or radio wasn't working.
In the white jersey awarded to the best young rider, Rafael Majka (Poland, Saxo-Tinkoff).
Tom Danielson (USA, Garmin).
Sammy Sanchez (Spain, Euskaltel-Euskadi), winner of the 2008 Olympics road race.
Cadel Evans (Australia, BMC), who lives in northern Italy, was well received by the audience. He gave a quick smile of appreciation.
The defending 2012 Giro winner and the man I cheered so loudly for that the guy next to me turned to me and said, “Oh, he must be your boyfriend,” Ryder Hesjedal (Canada, Garmin). Ryder seemed pretty focused on preparing for his ride so he didn't acknowledge my cheering but he must have heard me since even the emcee paused to look in my direction.
The crowd finally woke up for Vincenzo Nibali (Italy, Astana) and gave him a great sending off.
You've got to respect a man in pink: Beñat Intxausti (Spain, Movistar), the overall race leader after 7 stages.
Almost as soon as he left the podium, the crowd began to disperse and the crew started to dismantle everything.
I walked to the train station and quickly got over my disappointment that I would have to wait over an hour for my train as this meant I was able to catch the end of the stage on TV at the train station's cafe.
Stage results
1. Alex Dowsett (Great Britain, Movistar) 1:16:27
2. Bradley Wiggins (Great Britain, Sky) + :10
3. Tanel Kangert (Estonia, Astana) + :14
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy, Astana) + :21
5. Stef Clement (Netherlands, Blanco) + :32
General classification
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy, Astana) 29:46:57
2. Cadel Evans (Australia, BMC) + :29
3. Robert Gesink (Netherlands, Blanco) + 1:15
4. Bradley Wiggins (Great Britain, Sky) + 1:16
5. Michele Scarponi (Italy, Lampre) + 1:24
