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FEATURES: STARS OF THE GIRO D’ITALIA
Gregor Brown
May 31, 2010
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The Giro d'Italia came to a close Sunday in Verona after a dramatic second half that saw a young Australian rise to the top and one of the old Italian guns win on top of Plan de Corones.
The bikes took back stage to their wins, but were just as important as the riders on their individual days. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for a full photo gallery)
David Arroyo’s Pinarello
Spaniard David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne) was one of the surprises in this year's Giro d'Italia, taking the leader's pink jersey on the stage to Asolo. Italian manufacturer celebrated his days in pink with a custom painted Dogma 60.1.
Arroyo liked it so much he rode it one day extra, on the stage to Tornale, even though he was no longer in the race lead.
Stefano Garzelli’s Bottecchia
Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone) is one of the oldest riders in the peloton, and he reminded his rivals that with age also comes wisdom. He had aimed for one of the road stages in the high mountains, maybe the stage to Asolo, but he instead captured one of cycling's new mythical stages: the mountain time trial to Plan de Corones.
Garzelli climbed the 12.9-kilometer stage, the last part on gravel, using a Bottecchia. It's an Italian frame, complete with integrated seat mast, but topped off with components from Japanese manufacturer, Shimano.
Vincenzo Nibali’s Cannondale
Italian Vincenzo Nibali enjoyed early success in the Giro d'Italia when he took the leader pink jersey for three days following Liquigas-Doimo win in the team time trial. Success continued for him when he used his descending skills off of Monte Grappa to win in Asolo.
American manufacturer Cannondale carried him to the win that day and also secured the overall win with Nibali's teammate, Ivan Basso.
Richie Porte’s Specialized
Australian Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) was the sensation of this year's Giro d'Italia. He nearly one the first time trial in Amsterdam, wore the pink jersey for three days and claimed the white jersey of best young rider – all in his first year as a professional and his first Grand Tour.
Porte rode a Specialized Tarmac SL3 through the three-week Giro d'Italia. He kept his special pink Zipp wheels on for the remaining stages, even if he had already lost the pink jersey.
Filippo Pozzato’s Ridley
Italy finally got their first stage win in the Giro d'Italia when its national champion, Filippo Pozzato (Katusha), won the finish in Porto Recanati.
Ridley gave Pozzato a specially painted frame when he won the Italian championships last year, and that must have helped him on to win the Giro d'Italia stage. All he had to do was look down on his top tube: Veni, Vidi, Vici.
Michele Scarponi's Guerciotti
Michele Scarponi delighted his small Italian Androni team when he won the stage to Aprica Saturday. Ivan Basso taking the leader’s pink jersey overshadowed his win, but it was nonetheless prestigious.
Guerciotti, better known for its cyclocross bikes, supplied Scarponi the tool for his trade that day. Campagnolo Super Record finished off the kit and helped Scarponi fly like super man. |
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