Campagnolo's 80th anniversary celebrations was given a pleasant jolt today. Giovanni Visconti won brilliantly into Vicenza, hometown of famed Campagnolo and component sponsor for Movistar.
I have joined the Campagnolo Experience ever since 1987, happily using the smooth running Nuovo Record groupset for years. Today, I no longer use the Nuovo Record groupset and now run the 2011 Veloce groupset on my 1987 Marinoni.
Mr. Indurain...
Just a few of my favorite Campy things.
photo Cyclingart
Founder, Tuillio Campagnolo passed away on February 3rd, 1983 and Eddy Merckx delivered this stirring eulogy at his funeral.
If there's any indication that snow is threatening Friday's stage...
Wall of snow at the Passo Gavia.
I wrote in a previous post, that bad weather = great cycling photography - include SUFFERING!
Two dramatic images from stage 15 on the Col du Galibier...
The Giro is turning out to be a test whether Vincenzo Nibali will ever falter off his pink perch.
Enduring this particularly brutal Giro has been taxing on all with two notable abandons; Wiggins and Hesjedal. The cold and wet as just cause to wreak havoc on the immune systems to infection. For Sir Wiggins struggled with a head cold and chest infection that force his withdrawal. Today, we finally found out that Ryder Hesjedal suffered from an upper respiratory tract infection (sounds familiar). Team physician Phil Stawski news release stats, "It appears that Ryder had been exposed to the virus affecting many in the peloton during the first week of racing."
This upcoming Friday/Saturday are two feared mountain stages that will give the riders nightmares. Friday presents the Passo Gavia, Stelvio (Cima Coppi) and Val Martello climbs and Saturday, well only the strong will survive; five brutish climbs finishing up the mythic Tre Cime Di Lavaredo.
The crazy cold weather is the real culprit causing abrupt changes; too much snow and the elevated worry for the riders safety. If the snow threatens, there's already some talk that RCS Sports is thinking about cutting the Gavia and Stelvio passes out of Friday's stage 19. I hope the snow subsides just enough for us to witness the drama.
It's too early to tell whether we will see Sir Bradley and Ryder at the 100th Tour de France. If they do show up what kind of form will they have? Will it be enough to help their respective teams battle for supremacy? One things for sure, rest is high on the menu and ...watching the final outcome of this brutal and exciting Giro.
via Girod'ltalia
Today's stage 16 to Ivrea was marvelously won in fine fashion by Benat Intxausti. Dedicating his win to Xavier Tondo, who died tragically almost two years ago. Intxausti said, "It's May 21st today and May 23rd is sad but special day for me because it's the second anniversary of what happened. I'm sure he would have celebrated my victory and so this win is for him, my grandfather and my team."
Here's a video from the race doctor about how the brutal conditions have tested most of the riders and the doctor on duty has his hands full.
Celebrate the bike this long Victoria Day weekend.
I'm celebrating the Victoria Day Long Weekend in two ways.
This morning, our FRFuggitivi group ride added two more riders for a fast ride out near UBC. Enjoyable ride with the boys and a nice stop for an excellent espresso at Cafe Faubourg.
Just one of the many good deals...
Falling Leaves Cycling Cap
photo Red Dots Cycling
And, Red Dots Cycling is having a Sale all weekend long! Celebrate and take a massive 25-40% Off most of our stock of fine handmade cycling caps (ie. Falling, Leaves, La Francaise, Paris-Roubaix, Red Hunting) and our entire selection of recycled inner tube products (wallets, pouches, cases & iPad sleeves) - there's something for everyone!
Visconti on his way to an epic win.
Early this morning, I watched the epic Marco Pantani memorial stage up to the finish of the truncated 145km snow laden alpine stage. Into France, and no passport checks for the riders, and on the climb of the Telegraphe, Giovanni Visconti attacked like a man possessed. He was the same rider that abandoned last year's Giro due to shortness of breath. Last December, he served 3 months for working with Dr. Michele Ferrari which he denied ever taking dope. Leaving it all behind him, the Italian rider scores his finest win of his career ...on the Col du Galibier.
New Italian words I learned after today's stage:
fugaccia: a special break
tappaccia: a special stage
Stage 15, Cesana Torinese-Col du Galibier, 149 km:
The miserable weather knocked out the Sestriere climb and organizers re-routed adding 13 kilometers to the day. Due to the weather, the helicopter was grounded thus unable to broadcast a live feed. RAI did it's best to entertain, by interviewing the fans along the route. Thanks to Twitter I was able to follow the action via Assistant DS Julian Dean of Orica GreenEDGE...
Five months into retirement, this was not one of the days where I missed racing. I was very happy to be in the car and sorry for the boys as they suffered in the cold and wet, looking for ways to stay warm.
We assisted with clothing changes all day long. The riders were constantly swapping jackets, gloves and whatever else they could to stay as dry as possible in the rain. At one point, we had Chinese laundry going in the car, trying to dry out the guys’ clothing that they had been wearing to give them the option to exchange clothes again later in the stage.
As bad as today was, it doesn’t deter professional bike races. The first hour of racing averaged 46 kilometres/hour. Three hours in, and they’re averaging 42.5 kilometres/hour. By this point, the riders had become so cold, they were unable to accomplish basic tasks. They had to drop back to the car so that we could open their PowerBars for them because their hands were no longer functioning properly. God bless electronic shifting on Dura Ace. It’s much easier to push a button than shift a lever.
Towards the end of the stage, my feed was back on with cameras along the finish to capture the neon yellow clad Mauro Santambrogio (of the modest Vini Fantini Team) crossing the line just ahead of the Shark to warm up the finish in Bardonecchia.
Tomorrow's stage will not finish on top of the Col du Galibier but officially is moved further down at the Marco Pantani memorial. The weather is the deciding factor, and it looks like another epic stage upcoming.
One to watch is 23 year old, Rafal Majka finished 11th and is 7s in front of Betancur in the fight for the young riders competition. The cool story is that the young Pole was invited, in 2011, to the Saxo Bank training camp. Majka dropped Contador on the climbs, impressing Bjarne Riis that he offered him a pro contract on the spot. Of course, Majka signed the contract and the rest is history. I'm sure Riis is smiling!
