It's All Over But The Shouting...
I wanted to post yesterday about the fabulous stage but was in a rush to get out of the house directly after the stage finish so as to meet up with friends to ride. So, quickly, here is the jist.
The maglia rosa was in danger on the big climbs of the day becuase Simoni and Rujano were out on the break upwards of 2 minutes ahead of Savoldelli, who was isolated for the most part. He had no team mates around and only a couple of other riders along side. Lucky for him, they were willing to help out a little and pace him up the mountain. It was a little touch and go as Simoni was in maglia rosa virtuale out on the road. The Giro victory was very much up for grabs on this day and both Rujano and Simoni could taste it, Simoni more so as he was down less on GC.
Rujano eventually took the stage with a brilliant ride which finished at the top of Sestrière, with Simoni coming in 26 seconds later, but not salvaging quite enough time to stave off Savoldelli who arrived 1:55 off the pace. This was just enough to keep him in pink by 28 seconds over Simoni and 45 over Rujano.
Oh wait, I almost forgot to mention this stage summitted one mountain top over 9.2K of gravel road and from the pictures I saw, it was as steap as they come!
This is another impressive will for Il Falco, Paolo Savoldelli! What's more impressive were his comments after the stage which are quoted below, this guy is too modest!
You've got to love that attitude... I just won the Giro, but no time to celebrate, I need to go help the boss win the Tour!
Congratulations go out to Paolo for an impressive win! Also, to the rest of the team, because without them, you know he never would have made it alone. This has to be one of the best fought Giro's of modern time, might have to buy the DVD for this one!
The maglia rosa was in danger on the big climbs of the day becuase Simoni and Rujano were out on the break upwards of 2 minutes ahead of Savoldelli, who was isolated for the most part. He had no team mates around and only a couple of other riders along side. Lucky for him, they were willing to help out a little and pace him up the mountain. It was a little touch and go as Simoni was in maglia rosa virtuale out on the road. The Giro victory was very much up for grabs on this day and both Rujano and Simoni could taste it, Simoni more so as he was down less on GC.
Rujano eventually took the stage with a brilliant ride which finished at the top of Sestrière, with Simoni coming in 26 seconds later, but not salvaging quite enough time to stave off Savoldelli who arrived 1:55 off the pace. This was just enough to keep him in pink by 28 seconds over Simoni and 45 over Rujano.
Oh wait, I almost forgot to mention this stage summitted one mountain top over 9.2K of gravel road and from the pictures I saw, it was as steap as they come!
This is another impressive will for Il Falco, Paolo Savoldelli! What's more impressive were his comments after the stage which are quoted below, this guy is too modest!
"I don't feel like one of the great champions of the Giro, because the old champions used to attack on the climbs and make a big difference to the show. I'm more of a regular rider, and I have to calculate a lot, because I know what my limits are."
"I was afraid at the beginning of the climb [Finestre], because the pace was going so fast. I didn't think I was going to make it. I went at my own pace. I was very careful to eat and drink enough on the climb, the most important thing was not to have a crisis. Now I'm going to the Tour de France to help Lance Armstrong.
You've got to love that attitude... I just won the Giro, but no time to celebrate, I need to go help the boss win the Tour!
Congratulations go out to Paolo for an impressive win! Also, to the rest of the team, because without them, you know he never would have made it alone. This has to be one of the best fought Giro's of modern time, might have to buy the DVD for this one!
posted by Tony Rocha at
5/29/2005
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