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FEATURES: BEING THERE: 2011 GIRO D'ITALIA - MILANO
Tim Maloney
June 1, 2011
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As the fragrant scent of jasmine blossoms waft through the team pits at the final stage of the 2011 Giro d'Italia just outside Milano, one can almost believe it's the pink of Alberto Contador's Maglia Rosa hanging nearby that we're smelling.
In magnificent style, Contador has dominated this years uber-duro Giro and in doing so, has seemingly dispelled much of the lingering doubt from his positive test for clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France. Contador was relaxed and enjoying his impending Giro d'Italia win and with the CAS hearing about the appeal of his status likely postponed to after the Tour de France, the defending Tour champion will likely race Le Grand Boucle next month and pity the fool that bets against the classy Spaniard. There should be a good fight between Cadel Evans, Ivan Basso and the Schleck Trek Bros for the rest of the podium places.
On hand at the Giro d'Italia was Specialized's Mike Sinyard (center), flanked by his pro bike brain trust Simone Taccafondi (Far Left) and Chris D'Aluisio (Near Left). Mike said, "This is really great to be here to see Contador win the Giro!"
One of Garmin's "Daves", Brit David Millar was gunning for a TT win in Milano after he heard the other Dave, Zabriskie, just took the US TT championships across the pond. Millar is wearing his Castelli Speed Suit and Fizik shoes as he warms up with his usual intensity. Any guess as to what he is listening to on the headphones? Well, you can bet it ain't Italian Opera!
Road Bike Action managed to get Radio Shack diesse Slava Ekimov to crack a smile when we reminisced about first meeting him at the 1989 Tour de Trump (yes, Donald Trump actually sponsored a pro stage race in 1989-90) and his 4 times a day training regimen from legendary Russian coach Alexander Kuznetsov, the father of top Russian tennis player Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Eki told us that Radio Shack had a "tranquilo" Giro d'Italia. "We wanted to give the young guys some experience here and that worked well for us. Bjorn Selander was best young rider for a few days and Tiago Machado got valuable experience as a leader," explained Ekimov. Fumi Beppu (L) is all smiles as the Japanese rider realizes his is about to become the fourth Japanese rider ever to ever complete the Giro d'Italia.
With the start of the 2011 Giro d'Italia's final stage was relocated from the center of the city to the fairgrounds outside of town, the usual hoards of fans didn't make to the team tech area pre-race. This old Milanese Tifoso made it out to the start on his vintage Marnati, a legendary handmade bike brand from Milano that is still in operation.
Liquigas soigneur Michele Pallini works to cool down Vicenzo Nibali as he warms up for the final time trial in Milano. Unlike Sky, Garmin and HTC, Liquigas uses a simple ice pack to lower the riders body temperature pre-race. Nibali finished below expectations in this years Giro, but still ended up on the podium in third overall.
Call him John, Little Big John. The revelation of this years Giro d'Italia, Ag2r La Mondiale's tough little climber weighs120 lbs soaking wet but is a tough as nails from his cyclocross experience. With seven top ten finishes at the 2011 Giro, including a stage win and 4th overall, Gadret has emerged as the best French Grand Tour rider in a decade.
John Gadret's wife Carole brought their four year old son Andreas to the Giro d'Italia to see Papa race for real. Andreas's middle name is Marco, after Marco Pantani, the diminutive French climber's idol. |
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