Gavia and Stelvio Out, Epic-less?

New change for Stage 19

The web cam imagery from the Stelvio is enough to make me throw another log on the fire.

See live cam here.

The Passo dello Gavia and Stelvio is cancelled due to snow. In it's place a longer stage (160km from the scheduled 139km) including-le the 'smaller' climbs of Passo del Tonale and Passo Castrin await the riders.

It may look like a lesser stage, removed of the epic Gavia and Stelvio, and Saturday's four climbs are covered in snow threatening to be a truncated stage. There's still a battle for podium between Evans, Uran and Scarponi. The way Nibali is riding, the race is for second and third. The young riders classification is a wicked duel between Rafal Majka (currently leading by 2 seconds) over Carlos Betancur.

...Lots of drama left!

The Campagnolo Experience

Vicenza celebrations along

with a few champions!

via campagnolosrl

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...

Domenico Pozzovivo...

Francis de Greef.

via brakethrough Media

Sick Leave and More Brutal Days to Come

Brutal and Beautiful,

Col du Mont Cenis

photo: Yuzuru Sunada

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.

Great Shot! Bring on the Weather!

Great shot!

via brakethrough Media

Bad Weather = Great Cycling Photography!

A Sunday of Riding

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:

1	Giovanni VISCONTI	ITA	MOV	4:40:48
2	Carlos Alberto BETANCUR GOMEZ	COL	ALM	+42
3	Przemyslaw NIEMIEC	POL	LAM	+42
4	Rafal MAJKA	POL	TST	+42
5	Fabio Andres DUARTE AREVALO	COL	COL	+47
6	Michele SCARPONI	ITA	LAM	+54
7	Vincenzo NIBALI	ITA	AST	+54
8	Cadel EVANS	AUS	BMC	+54
9	Mauro SANTAMBROGIO	ITA	VIN	+54
10	Rigoberto URAN URAN	COL	SKY	+54

GC after Stage 15:

1	Vincenzo NIBALI	Italy	AST	62:02:34
2	Cadel EVANS	Australia	BMC	+1:26
3	Rigoberto URAN URAN	Colombia	SKY	+2:46
4	Mauro SANTAMBROGIO	Italy	VIN	+2:47
5	Michele SCARPONI	Italy	LAM	+3:53
6	Przemyslaw NIEMIEC	Poland	LAM	+4:35
7	Carlos Alberto BETANCUR GOMEZ	Colombia	ALM	+5:15
8	Rafal MAJKA	Poland	TST	+5:20
9	Domenico POZZOVIVO	Italy	ALM	+5:57
10	Benat INTXAUSTI ELORRIAGA	Spain	MOV	+6:21

Forza!

Fans waiting on the Col du Telegraphe.

via Castelli Cycling