2001 Giro d'Italia

84th edition: May 19 - June 6

Results, stages with running GC, map and photos

2000 Giro | 2002 Giro | Giro d'Italia database | Final GC | Teams and Riders, Stages with results and running GC | Predictions

A comparison of the recent Giros:

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2001 Giro d'Italia Complete Final General Classification

2001 Giro d'Italia final podium. From left: Abraham Olano, Gilberto Simoni and Unai Osa

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) 89hr 2min 58sec
2. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 7min 31sec
3. Unai Osa (Ibanesto.com) @ 8min 37sec
4. Sergej Honchar (Liquigas) @ 9min 25sec
5. Jose Azevedo (ONCE) @ 9min 44sec
6. Andrea Noè (Mapei) @ 10min 50sec
7. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 10min 54sec
8. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 11min 44sec
9. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 13min 34sec
10. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 14min 34sec
11. Marco Velo (Mercatone Uno) @ 14min 34sec
12. Peter Luttenberger (Tacconi Sport) @ 15min 36sec
13. Hernan Buenahora (Selle Italia) @ 16min 22sec
14. Paolo Savoldelli (Saeco) @ 18min 42sec
15. José Castelblanco (Selle Italia) @ 23min 2sec
16. Marzio Bruseghin (iBanesto.com) @ 25min 13sec
17. Mauro Zanetti (Alessio) @ 27min 16sec
18. Marco Magnani (Alexia) @ 33min 4sec
19. Gianni Faresin (Liquigas) @ 33min 14sec
20. Juan Garate (Lampre) @ 33min 24sec
21. Daniele De Paoli (Mercatone Uno) @ 33min 55sec
22. Massimiliano Gentili (Cantina Tollo) @ 36min 21sec
23. Matthias Kessler (Telekom) @ 40min 41sec
24. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 41min 28sec
25. Aleksandr Shefer (Alessi) @ 41min 47sec
26. Daniel Clavero (Mercatone Uno) @ 45min 14sec
27. Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) @ 46min 15sec
28. Cesar Solaun Solaña (iBanesto.com) @ 49min 51sec
29. José Arrieta (iBanesto.com) @ 49min 51sec
30. Tadej Valjavec (Fassa Bortolo) @ 54min 11sec
31. Franciso Leon Mañe (Kelme-Costa BLanca) @ 59min 12sec
32. Fortunato Baliani (Selle Italia) @ 1hr 0min 8sec
33. Roberto Sgambelluri (Telekom) @ 1hr 0min 13sec
34. Ruggero Borghi (Tacconi Sport) @ 1hr 0min 51sec
35. David Latasa (iBanesto.com) @ 1hr 2min 26sec
36. Vladimir Duma (Panaria) @ 1hr 2min 48sec
37. Massimo Codol (Lampre) @ 1hr 3min 53sec
38. Pavel Padrnos (Saeco) @ 1hr 5min 37sec
39. Ruslan Ivanov (Alessio) @ 1hr 6min 57sec
40. Laurent Dufaux (Saeco) @ 1hr 14min 3sec
41. Paolo Lanfranchi (Mapei) @ 1hr 15min 38sec
42. Christophe Brandt (Lotto-Adecco) @ 1hr 16min 59sec
43. Andrea Peron (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1hr 17min 20sec
44. Giuseppe Guerini (Telekom) @ 1hr 17min 56sec
45. Julio Perez Cuapio (Panaria) @ 1hr 22min 22sec
46. Fredy Gonzalez (Selle Italia) @ 1hr 22min 35sec
47. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 1hr 22min 45sec
48. Francesco Secchiari (Saeco) @ 1hr 25min 10sec
49. Pablo Lastras (iBanesto.com) @ 1hr 25min 31sec
50. Matteo Tosatto (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1hr 26min 36sec
51. Gianluca Valoti (Alexia) @ 1hr 29min 59sec
52. Jan Ullrich (Telekom) @ 1hr 31min 22sec
53. Serguei Yacovlev (Cantina Tollo) @ 1hr 33min 27sec
54. Alberto Elli (Telekom) @ 1hr 36min 59sec
55. Roberto Conti (Cantina Tollo) @ 1hr 39min 3sec
56. Andrei Hauptman (Tacconi Sport) @ 1hr 39min 38sec
57. Joaquim Lopez Torrella (Kelme-Costa Blanca) @ 1hr 39min 54sec
58. Maximilian Sciandri (Lampre) @ 1hr 40min 58sec
59. Jon Odriozola (iBanesto.com) @ 1hr 41min 9sec
60. Gabirele Missaglia (Lampre) @ 1hr 41min 43sec
61. Denis Lunghi (Colpack) @ 1hr 43min 23sec
62. René Andrle (ONCE) @ 1hr 44min 37sec
63. Mario Aerts (Lotto-Adecco) @ 1hr 44min 44sec
64. Alessandro Spezialetti (Cantina Tollo) @ 1hr 46min 11sec
65. Gabriele Colombo (Cantina Tollo) @ 1hr 46min 53sec
66. Rinaldo Nocentini (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 1hr 47min 26sec
67. Stefano Cattai (Liquigas) @ 1hr 47min 55sec
68. Isidro Nozal (ONCE) @ 1hr 49min 48sec
69. Alexis Rodriguez (Kelme-Costa Blanca) @ 1hr 49min 3sec
70. Alvaro Gonzalez (ONCE) @ 1hr 49min 49sec
71. Fabio Bulgarelli (Colpack-Astro) @ 1hr 51min 2sec
72. Gorazd Stangelj (Liquigas) @ 1hr 52min 44sec
73. Timothy Jones (Mobilvetta) @ 1hr 53min 3sec
74. Giampaolo Mondini (Mercatone Uno) @ 1hr 55min 27sec
75. Dimitri Konyshev (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1hr 55min 50sec
76. Michele Colleoni (Colpack-Astro) @ 1hr 56min 13sec
77. Mauro Gerosa (Tacconi Sport) @ 1hr 58min 50sec
78. Kurt van Lancker (Lotto-Adecco) @ 1hr 59min 6sec
79. Fabio Baldato (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1hr 59min 47sec
80. Joaquim Rodriguez (ONCE) @ 2hr 0min 1sec
81. Uros Murn (Mobilvetta) @ 2hr 1min 15sec
82. Simone Bertoletti (Lampre) @ 2hr 1min 16sec
83. Renzo Mazzoleni (Colpack-Astro) @ 2hr 1min 23sec
84. Marcello Siboni (Mercatone Uno) @ 2hr 2min 46sec
85. Ellis Rastelli (Liquigas) @ 2hr 3min 21sec
86. Antonio Varriale (Panaria) @ 2hr 3min 43sec
87. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre) @ 2hr 3min 51sec
88. David Navas Chica (iBanesto.com) @ 2hr 3min 59sec
89. Giovanni Lombardi (Telekom) @ 2hr 4min 14sec
90. Alessandro Cortinovis (Colpack-Astro) @ 2hr 4min 43sec
91. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) @ 2hr 6min 2sec
92. Davide Bramati (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 2hr 7min 46sec
93. Stefano Zanini (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 2hr 7min 48sec
94. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) @ 2hr 8min 18sec
95. Simone Borgheresi (Mercatone Uno) @ 2hr 8min 52sec
96. Davide Casarotto (Alessio) @ 2hr 9min 33sec
97. Ermanno Brignoli (Mercatone Uno) @ 2hr 9min 38sec
98. Kai Hundertmarck (Telekom) @ 2hr 10min 6sec
99. Jeroen Blijlevens (Lotto-Adecco) @ 2hr 10min 46sec
100. Roberto Petito (Fasssa Bortolo) @ 2hr 12min 6sec
101. Denis Zanette (Liquigas)) @ 2hr 15min 29sec
102. Laurent Debiens (Kelme-Costa Blanca) @ 2hr 15min 40sec
103. Cristian Pepoli (Cantina Tollo) @ 2hr 18min 29sec
104. Paolo Bossoni (Tacconi Sport) @ 2hr 21min 25sec
105. Martin Hvastija (Alessio) @ 2hr 21min 53sec
106. Diego Ferrari (Tacconi sport) @ 2hr 22min 39sec
107. Mario Cipollini (Saeco) @ 2hr 22min 56sec
108. Stefano Casagranda (Alessio) @ 2hr 24min 19sec
109. Luca Scinto (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 2hr 24min 47sec
110. Ruben Marin Valencia (Selle Italia) @ 2hr 28min 20sec
111. Matteo Carrara (Selle Italia) 2 2hr 28min 20sec
112. Paolo Fornaciari (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 2hr 30min 25sec
113. Mirko Marini (Liquigas) @ 2hr 30min 44sec
114. Kevin Livingston (Telekom) @ 2hr 30min 48sec
115. Alberto Ongarato (Mobilvetta) @ 2hr 31min 4sec
116. Mario Manzoni (Alexia) @ 2hr 31min 8sec
117. Marco Zanotti (Liquigas) @ 2hr 32min 31sec
118. Moreno Di Biase (Mobilvetta) @ 2hr 32min 43sec
119. Massimiliano Mori (Saeco) @ 2hr 33min 11sec
120. Leonardo Scarselli (Selle Italia) @ 2hr 34min 56sec
121. Mario Scirea (Saeco) @ 2hr 35min 56sec
122. Jef Verbrugghe (Lotto-Adecco) @ 2hr 36min 29sec
123. Devis Miorin (Mobilvetta) @ 2hr 37min 19sec
124. Guido Trenti (Cantina Tollo) @ 2hr 40min 18sec
125. Domenico Romano (Panaria) @ 2hr 40min 22sec
126. Hans de Clercq (Lotto-Adecco) @ 2hr 40min 41sec
127. Biagio Conte (Saeco) @ 2hr 42min 29sec
128. Michele Gobbi (Mobilvetta) @ 2hr 44min 29sec
129. Ivan Quaranta (Alexia) @ 2hr 46min 57sec
130. Dario Andriotto (Alexia) @ 2hr 52min 40sec
131. Andrea Brognara (Alexia) @ 2hr 52min 47sec
132. Domenico Gualdi (Mobilvetta) @ 2hr 52min 48sec
133. Marco Villa (Alexia) @ 2hr 53min 6sec
134. Eddy Serri (Alexia) @ 2hr 53min 47sec
135. Thomas Voeckler (Bonjour) @ 2hr 54min 7sec
136. Michele Coppolillo (Panaria) @ 3hr 1min 17sec

Points Classification:

1. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta): 177 points
2. Danilo Hondo (Telekom): 158
3. Mario Cipollini (Saeco): 136
4. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre): 129
5. Ivan Quaranta (Alexia): 105

Climbers' Competition:

1. Fredy Gonzalez (Selle Italia): 73 points
2. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre): 42
3. Fortunato Baliani (Selle Italia): 33
4. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio): 32
5. Julio Perez Cuapio (Panaria): 28

Intergiro:

1. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) 51hr 27min 14sec
2. Stefano Zanini (Mapei-Quick Step) 2 2min 49sec
3. Moreno Di Biase (Mobilvetta) s.t.
4. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 3min 15sec
5. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre) @ 3min21sec

Team Classification (Fast Team)

1. Alessio: 267hr 13min 45sec
2. IBanesto.com @ 9min 51sec
3. Selle Italia @ 13min 42sec
4. ONCE @ 18min 25sec
5. Lampre @ 39min 26sec

Team Classification (Super Team)

1. Fassa Bortolo: 370 points
2. Tacconi Sport: 356
3. Liquigas: 322
4. Alessio: 313
5. Telekom: 280

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Stages of the Giro

May 19, Saturday, Prologue: Pescara Individual Time Trial. 7.6 km. This is an almost dead-flat time trial. The elevation goes from 2 meters to 18 meters then back down to 2 meters. A rider averaging 49 km/hr will finish in 9min 18 sec.

Results:

1. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) 7min 44sec. 1st Pink Jersey of the Giro
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 8sec
3. René Andrle (ONCE) @ 11sec
4. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 13sec
5. Andrea Peron (Mapei) @ 13sec
6. Andrea Noè (Mapei) @ 14sec
10. Sergei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 19sec
11. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 19sec
19. Paolo Savoldelli (Saeco) @ 24sec
40. Davide Rebellin (Liquigas) @ 30sec
50. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 33sec
52. Ivan Gotti (Alessio)@ 34sec
56. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 35sec
67. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 36sec
68. Francesco Casagrade (Fassa Bortolo) @ 37sec
85. Jan Ullrich (Telekom) @39sec
128. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 49sec

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May 20, Sunday, Stage 1: Giulianova - Francavilla al Mare. 197 km. This is not an easy stage. In fact, almost unrelenting might be a better word for it. Leaving Giulianova on the coast, the route heads straight into the Gran Sasso Mountains to the the Valico (valley) di Capannelle (1299 meters) with the mountains prize at the Colle dal Capraro (1320 meters) at km 66. This climb entails 464 meters of actual elevation change for the riders. The feed zone follows at km 85. The route then loops back to the east coast of Italy descending and climbing until km 130, reaching an elevation of 849 m at Valico delle Svolte. Then there is a long descent until the climb to the city of Chieti (km 180). My maps show about 10 km of 5% - 6% gradient on the approach to Chieti. They'll go from 45m elevation to 330m at Chieti. Then a 20 km descent to the finish at sea level.

1. Ellis Rastelli (Liquigas) 5hr 15min 6sec
2. Vladimir Duma (Panaria) s.t.
3. Gabriele Colombo Cantina Tollo) s.t.
4. Abraham Olano (ONCE) s.t.
5. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) s.t.
8. 8. Marco Pantani (Mercatone-Uno) s.t.
9. 9. Jan Hruska (ONCE) s.t.
11. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
12. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) s.t.
13. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
28. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 37sec
29. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 37sec
31. Paolo Savoldelli (Saeco) @ 37sec
49. Francesco Casagrade (Fassa Bortolo) @ 37sec
108. Jan Ullrich (Telekom) 1min 55sec

GC after Stage 1:

1. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) 5hr 22min 50sec.
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 9sec
3. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 13sec
4. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 15sec
5. Gabriele Colombo (Cantina Tollo) @ 18sec
6. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre) @ 18sec
13. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @33sec
16. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 49sec
21. Paolo Savoldelli (Saeco) @ 1min 1sec
28. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 11sec
29. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 1min 12 sec
32. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 1min 13sec
33. Francesco Casagrade (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1min 13sec
97. Jan Ullrich (Telekom) @ 2min 34sec.

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May 21, Monday, Stage 2: Fossacesia - Lucera. 146 km. This should be a sprinter's romp. After a roll down the Adriatic coast, the ride turns inland (almost due south) and heads for the finish line at Lucera. There is almost no gradient change except for the end. For about 30 meters before Lucera, the road rises from about 100 meters to 219 meters at Lucera, then dips back down to 135 meters elevation with a circuit back to Lucera at 219 meters. There should be nothing here to stop Cipollini or the other speedsters from having their way with the pack. There is no Mountains sprint in this stage. The feed zone is at km 93.

1. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) 3hr 39min 35sec. 44.54 km/hr
2. Rafael Mateos Perez (Colpack) s.t.
3. Gabriele Missaglia (Lampre) s.t.
4. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
5. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) s.t.
6. Gabriele Colombo (Cantina Tollo) s.t.
7. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei-Quick Step) s.t.
8. Massimiliano Gentili (Cantina-Tollo) s.t.
9. José Gonzalez Martinez (Selle Italia) s.t.
10. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) s.t.

Corrected GC after 2nd Stage:

1. Rik Verbrugge (Lotto) 9hr 2min 25sec
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Botolo) @ 9sec
3. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 13sec
4. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 15sec
5. Gabriele Colombo (Cantina Tollo) @ 18sec
6. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre) @ 20sec
7. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 26sec
12. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 33sec
15. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 49sec
27. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 11sec
30. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 1min 13sec

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May 22, Tuesday, Stage 3: Lucera - Potenza. 146 km. This stage shows why some riders believe that riding the Giro is more exhausting than riding any other race. The relentless hills just grind away the the rider's reserves. There are six climbs, including the last kilometers into Potenza (761 meters). The Mountains climb is at km 114 (770 meter). The race starts at 1:15 PM in Lucera, elevation 218 m. They should finish about 5:00 PM in Potenza (761m), region of Basilicata. Basilicata (or Lucania as it is otherwise known) is a wild, mountainous area. This is the farthest south the Giro goes.

Stage 3 results

1. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) 3hr 44min 30sec. 39.8 km/hr
2. Endrio Leoni (Alessio) s.t.
3. Andrei Hauptmann (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
4. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) s.t.
5. Davide Rebellin (Liquigas)
6. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) s.t.
7. Mario Manzoni (Alexia) s.t.
8. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre) s.t.
9. Gabriel Missaglia (Lampre) s.t.
10. Giuseppe Di Grande (Tacconi Sport) s.t.

GC after Stage 3.

1. Rik Verbrugge (Lotto) 12hr 46min 55sec
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Botolo) @ 9sec
3. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 13sec
4. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 15sec
5. Gabriele Colombo (Cantina Tollo) @ 18sec
6. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre) @ 20sec
7. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 26sec
8. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 28sec
9. Vladimir Duma (Panaria) @ 29sec
10. Ellis Rastelli (Liquigas) @ 30sec

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May 23, Wednesday, Stage 4: Potenza - Montevergine di Mercogliano. 172 km. The first hilltop finish. This is one of the tougher stages of the Giro, taking the pack through the mountains just east of Vesuvius. I remember thinking how tough this area is when I visited it with Mondonico last year. They should depart Potenza (675 meters) at 12:25 PM local time. At km 25 is the first Mountains (GPM) climb, the Valico di Pietrastretta (839 meters, 7 km at 4.75%). I cannot find this name on my maps. I can only find the "Marmo" which is listed as the name of the climb in most of the official Giro literature I can find. Heading almost due west towards the sea and the city of Salerno, they get to almost sea level, and just before Salerno, they get a feed (km 93). Then after passing through Salerno, they head due north with 2 more GPM climbs to come: Celzi (500 meters at kilometer 132) and the mountaintop finish at Montevergine di Mercogliano (11.5 km at 4.68%). They should arrive between 5:00 and 5:30 PM, local time.

Stage 4 Results:

1. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) 4hr 32min 12sec. 36.98 km/hr
2. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) s.t.
3. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) s.t.
4. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) s.t.
5. Davide Rebellin (Liquigas) s.t.
6. Sergei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 3sec
7. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
8. José Avevedo (ONCE) s.t.
9. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) s.t.
10. Giuseppe Di Grande (Tacconi Sport) s.t.

GC after 4th Stage.

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) 17hr 21min 19sec
2. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 12 sec
3. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 13sec
4. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 17sec
5. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 19sec
6. Giuseppe Di Grande (Tacconi Sport) @ 25sec
7. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 28sec
8. Vladimir Duma (Panaria) @ 33sec
9. Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) @ 35sec
10. Andrea Noé (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 42sec

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May 24, Thursday, Stage 5: Avellino - Nettuno. 226 km. This is a relatively flat stage with one Mountains climb (GPM), at km 136, but this climb rises to only 268 meters. The stage wanders in the valleys just north of Naples, passing by Vesuvius. It eventually joins the ancient Roman road, the "Appian Way" as it heads north to the finish at Nettuno, just a few kilometers east of Anzio on the Tirrenian Coast. The feed zone is at km 114.

Gilberto Simoni with Marco Pantani close by

Results:

1. Ivan Quaranta (Alessio) 5hr 29min 16sec. 41.729 km/hr
2. Mario Cipollini (Saeco) s.t.
3. Moreno Di Biase (Mobilvetta) s.t.
4. Jeroen Blijlevens (Lotto) s.t.
5. Zoran Klemencic (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
6. Marco Zanotti (Liquigas) s.t.
7. Damien Nazon (Bonjour) s.t.
8. Endrio Leoni (Alessio) s.t.
9. Enrico Degano (Panaria) s.t.
10. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) s.t.

GC after stage 5. I don't see any changes that matter.

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) 22hr 50min 36sec
2. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 12 sec
3. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 13sec
4. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 17sec
5. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 19sec
6. Giuseppe Di Grande (Tacconi Sport) @ 25sec
7. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 28sec
8. Vladimir Duma (Panaria) @ 33sec
9. Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) @ 35sec
10. Gabriele Colombo (Cantina Tollo) s.t.

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May 25, Friday, Stage 6: Nettuno - Rieti. 153 km. Starting from Nettuno on the coast (20m) at 1:25 PM the riders will head just about due north. There is some climbing on this stage, but nothing that should affect the overall race. The race will pass through just to the west of the Alban Hills, but will get a Mountains climb (GPM) at Km 34 at Albano Laziale (400m). As they pass the Alban hills they will go by Castel Gandolfo, the summer home of the pope and go by Rome sitting to the east of the race route. Then they will pass Tivoli, home of Roman Emperor Hadrian's Villa at km 70. There's lots of history on this stage. While the rest of the route is through fairly hilly country, the designers of the stage resisted the lure to include some of the potential climbs along the way. They should arrive at Rieti (385m) about 5:00 PM local time. The race does three 4.4 km circuits at Rieti before the finish. The sprinters should know the route by then. No excuses for bad timing on this stage. Interestingly, Rieti is considered the geographical center of Italy.

Results for Stage 6

1. Mario Cipollini (Saeco) 4hr 13min 23sec . 35.99 km/hr
2. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) s.t.
3. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) s.t.
4. Mauro Gerosa (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
5. Jeroen Blijlevens (Lotto)
6. Endrio Leoni (Alessio) s.t.
7. Marco Zanotti (Liquigas) s.t.
8. Alexis Rodriguez (Kelme-Costa Blanca) s.t.
9. Gabriele missaglia (Lampre) s.t.
10. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) s.t.

GC after Stage 6.

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) 27hr 3min 58sec
2. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 12 sec
3. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 13sec
4. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 17sec
5. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 19sec
6. Giuseppe Di Grande (Tacconi Sport) @ 25sec
7. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 28sec
8. Vladimir Duma (Panaria) @ 33sec
9. Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) @ 35sec
10. Gabriele Colombo (Cantina Tollo) @ 38sec
11. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 42sec
12. Serguei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 47sec
13. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo @ 48sec
14. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 57sec
15. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 2sec
18. Marco Pantani (Mercatone-Uno) @ 1min 9sec

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May 26, Saturday, Stage 7: Rieti - Montevarchi. 238 km. This is the longest stage of the Giro. Once again, the race planners have avoided the temptation to make the racers climb. Today's route goes through some very hilly country, passing all the way through Umbria and ending in Chianti country in Tuscany, yet there is only one real climb. Leaving Reiti (405m), the route travels through the valleys passing the hilltop town of Todi at km 76. The hard approach to Todi is the only climb I found in Umbria where a 23 wasn't enough. But, the pack will just go by, missing that charming little slope, sort of followng the Tiber River for a while. At km 108, they get a feed. Then it cuts a bit to the west and heads for the south shore of Lake Trasimen (the north shore of which was the scene of Hannibal's massacre of the Roman army, but I digress...) After a nearly dead flat run from the west shore of the lake, they head north. The race is in Tuscany now. They jump on a Superstrada west headed towrds Siena. A superstrada is a divided highway rated just below Italy's best toll roads, the Autostrada. Then, they get on one of those little tiny Tuscan roads in classic, beautiful Chianti country. This road appears to have the easiest approach to the finish at Montevarchi. But, not so fast sprinters... There's a climb from 200m to 834m at km 222 in the way with a Mountain Prize (GPM). Then a descent into Montevarchi ( 144m). I don't think you'll see Quaranta in the fight for this stage. This long stage starts at 10:35 AM and could end as late at 5:30 PM local time.

Results for stage 7:

1. Stefano Zanini (Mapei) 6hr 48min 2sec. 35.14 km/hr
2. Gabriele Missaglia (Lampre) s.t.
3. Jan Ullrich (Telekom) s.t.
4. Matthias Kessler (Telekom) s.t.
5. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
6. Mickael Pinchon (Bonjour) s.t.
7. José Arrieta (iBanesto.com) s.t.
8. Paolo Savoldelli (Saeco) s.t.
9. Davide Rebellin (Liquigas)s.t.
10. Rinaldo Nocentini (Mapei-Quick Step) s.t.

GC after Stage 7

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) 35hr 52min 00sec
2. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 12 sec
3. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 13sec
4. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 17sec
5. Jose Azevedo (ONCE) @ 19sec
6. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 28sec
7. Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) @ 35sec
8. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 42sec
9. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo @ 48sec
10. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 57sec
11. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 2sec
12. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 1min 3sec
13. Unai Osa (iBanesto.com) @ 1min 6sec
14. Marco Pantani (Mercatone-Uno) @ 1min 9sec

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May 27, Sunday, Stage 8: Montecatini Terme - Reggio Emilia, 179 km. Time to go to work. Starting at Montecatini (38m), the stage just goes up and over the Appennines to land in Reggio Emilia on the Po Plain, the agricultural flatland that skirts the Appennines. Heading north out of the city at 12:10 pm, the climbing starts almost immediately. I have ridden this road and it almost broke my legs. At km 58, they reach the first serious summit of the day at Abetone. It's a Mountains points (GPM) climb rated as being 12 km of climbing with an average gradient of 5%. But even just out of Montecatini, there are gradients of over 12%. They continue to wind through the Appennines riding on little roads that continually rise and fall. There is another GPM climb at km 139 (Castello di Carpeneti) that's about 6 km of 8.2% climbing. They then descend into Reggio Emilia (58m). This isn't the high Alps or Dolomites, but it offers no rest. I see lots of opportunistic break attempts, maybe even a bit of real testing by the GC contenders. You can bet Frigo's Fassa Bortolo boys will be working hard on this stage trying to keep their boy in pink.

Results for stage 8:

1. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) 4hr 54min 23sec. 37.705 km/hr
2. Davide Rebellin (Liquigas) @ 33sec
3. Freddy Gonzalez Martinez (Selle Italia) s.t.
4. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) s.t.
5. Unai Osa (iBanesto.com) s.t.
6. José Arrieta (iBanesto.com) s.t.
7. José Azevedo (ONCE) s.t. @ 35sec
8. Hernan Buenahora (Selle Italia) s.t.
9. Julio perez Cuapio (Panaria) @ 38sec
10. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 51sec
11. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 51sec

GC after Stage 8. Some Changes...

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Botolo) 38hr 47min 14sec
2. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 3sec
3. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 14sec
4. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 15sec
5. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 19sec
6. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 30sec
7. Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) @ 37sec
8. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 44sec
9. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 45sec
10. Unai Osa (iBanesto.com) @ 48sec
11. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) s.t.
12. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 59sec
13. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
14. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 4sec
15. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 1min 11sec

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May 28, Monday, Stage 9: Reggio Emilia - Rovigo, 144 km. This is a dead-flat rip across the Po River Plain. While this is one of the richest agricultural regions in the world, it has little in the way of landmarks to note. They'll depart at 1:40 PM and should arrive in Rovigo around 5:00 PM. They'll do an extra circuit around the town. Rovigo is situated about 50 kilometers east of the Adriatic Coast and about 40 kilomoerters dead south of Padua, one of the bicycle building capitals of the world. I'm sure that Saeco and Allexia and perhaps Lotto will try to keep everything together for a sprint finish. While I'm sure that ONCE and Azevedo would like to test the legs of Frigo and his tired team, and try for those 3 seconds, I don't think the sprinters' teams will allow anything to get away. Cipollini doesn't race for second.

Results:

1. Mario Cipollini (Saeco) 3hr 27min 41sec. 41.02 km/hr
2. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) s.t.
3. Andrei Haptman (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
4. Alberto Ongarato (Mobilvetta) s.t.
5. Guido Trenti (Cantina TOllo) s.t.
6. Zoran Klemencic (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
7. Ivan Quaranta (Alexia0 s.t.
8. Dimitri Konyshev (Fassa Brtolo) s.t.
9. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) s.t.
10. Matteo Tosatto (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.

GC after Stage 9:

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) 42hr 14min 55sec
2. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 3sec
3. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 14sec
4. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 15sec
5. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 19sec
6. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 30sec
7. Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) @ 37sec
8. Andrea Noè (Mapei Quick Step) @ 44sec
9. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 45sec
10. Unai Osa (iBanesto.com) @ 48sec

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May 29, Tuesday, Stage 10: Lido di Jesolo - Ljubljana (Slovenia) , 198 km. This should be another's sprinter's fest. It starts out in Lido di Jesolo, a coastal town just a few kilometers northeast of Venice. The route follows the curve of the Gulf of Trieste at the top of the Adriatic Sea. For the first 98 kilomoters, it is at about sea level and dead flat. As the route curves south it climbs a bit, to 245 meters at Prosecco, the scene of the GPM climb, at km 112. This is just before reaching Trieste. Just a few kilometers before hitting Trieste, the race turns inland as it crosses the border into Slovenia. It heads east and northeast to Ljubljana in Slovenia with a mild ascent until kilometer 158 at Postojna. There are some switchbacks out of Postojna after km 158, but they are descents in the 4% - 7% range. I don't think there is anything that will cause the sprinters any real grief in this stage.

Results:

1. Denis Zanette (Liquigas) 5hr 16min 21sec. 40.21 km/hr
2. Mario Manzoni @ 3sec
3. Isidrio Nozal Vega (ONCE) s.t.
4. Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) @ 15sec
5. Andrej Hauptmann (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
6. Davide Casarotto (Alessio) s.t.
7. Eddy Serri (Alexia) s.t.
8. Michele Gobbi (Mobilvetta) s.t.
9. David Nava Chica (iBanesto.com) s.t.
10. Renzo Mazzoleni (Colpack) @ 5min 17sec
11. Zoran Klemencic (Tacconi) field Sprint winner @ 10min 4sec

GC after Stage 10. No important changes.

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Botolo) 47hr 41min 21sec
2. Jose Azevedo (ONCE) @ 3sec
3. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 14sec
4. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 15sec
5. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 19sec
6. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 30sec
7. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 44sec
8. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 45sec
9. Unai Osa (iBanesto.com) @ 48sec
10. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) s.t.
11. Oscar Cemenzind (Lampre) @ 59sec
12. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) s.t.
13. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
14. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 4sec
15. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 1min 11sec

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May 30, Wednesday, Stage 11: Bled (Slovenia) - Gorizia, 190 km. I didn't get it very right on Stage 10. The sprinters got nothing. This stage is a long haul in the Carnic Alps. Starting at Bled (504 m) at 12:15 PM in Slovenia (my maps still say Yugoslavia) they head east and cross into Italy at km 43. While they are climbing steadily so that they are at 850 meters by km 43, I don't see any of the dreaded hash marks on the road maps of this part of the route that indicate a gradient over 4%. When they head south from Tarviso (km 50, in Italy) they head back into Slovenia for the Passo del Predil (1156 m) at km 58, the 1st GPM climb. This has some steep sections, but it is early in the stage. Then, a southerly descent, passing Kobarid. When this was part of the Austrian Empire, Kobarid was known as Caporetto,and the scene of a famous and important victory in WWI over the Italians by the then unknown Irwin Rommel. Just before the entry into Gorizia, in Italy again, they take a detour to wander in some hills just north of the city and climb the Collio at Vrhovlje (392m) at km 142 for the second GPM climb, and maybe to look for some vowels. Then about 35 km of descent into Gorizia, with a second circuit to the finish. It should end about 5:00 PM local time.

Results: Another break got away. Lastras-Garcia's attack at the end was masterful.

1. Pablo Lastras Garcia (Ibanesto) 4hr 38min 30sec. 41.36 km/hr
2. Giovanni Lombardi (Telekom) @ 10sec
3. Massimiliano Mori (saeco) s.t.
4. Uros Murn (Mobilvetta) s.t.
5. Alexis Rodriguez (Kelme) s.t.
6. Giseppe Di Grande (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
7. Antonio Varriale (Panaria) s.t.
8. Fortunato Baliani (Selle Italia) s.t.
9. Joaquim Lopez Torella (Kelme-Costa Blanca) s.t.
10. Alberto Elli (Telekom) @ 14sec
11. Andrea Peron (Fassa Bortolo) @ 5min 14sec, field sprint winner. Well, not really a sprint. No one contested 11th place, they just rolled across the line.

GC after Stage 11. Still no changes.

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Botolo)
2. Jose Azevedo (ONCE) @ 3sec
3. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 14sec
4. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 15sec
5. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 19sec
6. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 30sec
7. Andrea Noè (Mapei) @ 44sec
8. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 45sec
9. Unai Osa (iBanesto.com) @ 48sec
10. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) s.t.
11. Oscar Camenzind (Lampre) @ 59sec
12. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 59sec
13. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
14. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 4sec
15. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 1min 11sec

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May 31, Thursday, Stage 12: Gradisca - Montebelluna, 136 km. A nice friendly, flat stage, reasonably short before the ferocious stage in the high mountains on Friday. They basically double back on roads just a bit to the north of the ones they did in stage 10. They will leave about 1:50 PM. and head east. They will pass thorugh charming town Conigliano, home of Modolo bars and stems, at km 103 and finally arrive at Montebelluno about 5:00 PM. Italian towns that have names that contain "Monte" or "Rocca" should be viwed with respect by cyclists. I'm sure the riders will be able to see the high mountains from their hotels that evening and be able to contemplate their date with destiny. No GPM climbs this stage.

Results:

1. Matteo Tosatto (Fassa Bortolo) 3hr 33min 17sec . 39.10 km/hr
2. Zoran Klemencic (Tacconi) s.t.
3. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) s.t.
4. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) @ 10 seconds
5. Marco Zanotti (Liquigas) s.t.
6. Ivan Quaranta (Alexia) s.t.
7. Giovanni Lombardi (Telekom) s.t.
8. Endrio Leoani (Alessio) s.t.
9. Davide Rebellin (Liquigas) s.t.
10. Giuseppe Di Grande (Tacconi Sport)

GC after Stage 12: Simoni moves up!

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Botolo) 55hr 58min 34sec
2. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 1sec
3. Jose Azevedo (ONCE) @ 3sec
4. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 14sec
5. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 19sec
6. Jan Hruska (ONCE) @ 39sec
7. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 44sec
8. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 45sec
9. Unai Osa (iBanesto.com) @ 48sec
10. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 57sec
11. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 59sec
12. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 4sec
13. Oscar Cemenzind (Lampre) @ 1min 8sec
14. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
15. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 1min 11sec

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June 1, Friday, Stage 13: Montebelluna - Passo Pordoi, 224 km. C'e il Pordoi, Il Giro chiama i grandi (Here's the Pordoi, the Giro calls the great ones) is the headline from La Gazzetta Dello Sport. This is the mountain stage we've been waiting for.

This stage has 4 major climbs, and it is very long at 224 km. Because of the difficulty of the terrain, the organizers are predicting an average speed of betwen 30 and 34 kph. Leaving Motebulluno (109m) at 9:55 AM the route goes up the Piave River Valley, then turns off and heads west and then almost due north again. They will circle south of the Croce D'Aune by going through Fonzaso at km 46. By km 70, they're at Siror (765). From here on, the climbing gets serious. At points, the road looks like a picture of intestines, with all the switchbacks., finally arriving at Passo Rolle (1989 m elevation, 23.1 km at 5.5%, max gradient 10%, 1272 meters of vertical gain). They then continue to wind their way north.

Then the Passo Pordoi (at 2239m, 12.1 km averaging 6.4% with a maximum gradient of 10%. Total elevation gain is 774 m). This isn't enough. They circle around counter-clockwise on the map and head around to the Marmolada with the Passo Fedaia (2057m, 13.7km, averaging 7.7%, but the last 6 km are at 9% with parts at 18%, a total elevation gain of 1059m). Then a return for a hill top finish at the Passo Pordoi.

Depending on the speed of the stage, it can end somewhere between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM local time.

If I can tear myself from the TV, I'll do some live updates. But, we've got 15 superb racers all within in about a minute of the lead in GC with a truly epic stage. It won't be that close when it's over. They'll tell stories around the campfire about this stage for ages to come.

Results: 151 riders finished

1. Julio Perez-Cuapio (Panaria) 7hr 24min 48sec. 30.35 km/hr
2. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) s.t.
3. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 45sec
4. Hernan Buenahora (Selle Italia) @ 48sec
5. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 49sec
6. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) @ 57sec
7. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1min 1sec
8. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 3sec
9. José Castelblanco (Selle Italia) @ 2min 16sec
10. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 3min 2sec
30. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 6min 25sec
32. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 6min 45sec
47. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 13min 52sec
139. Mario Cipollini (Saeco) 30min 31sec

 

GC after Stage 13:

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) 63hr 23min 23sec
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 48sec
3. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1min 27sec
4. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) @ 1min 52sec
5. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 2min 14sec
6. Hernan Buenahora (Selle Italia) @ 2min 19sec
7. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 2min 36sec
8. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 3min 23sec
9. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 3min 53sec
10. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 4min 56sec
17. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 7min 29sec
18. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 8min 4sec

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June 2, Saturday, Stage 14: Cavalese - Arco, 163 km. This stage doesn't have the mythic proportions of stage 13, but it will be tough. Leaving Cavalese (1000 m) at 12:35 PM, they head east and join the famous road from Austria into Italy, the Brenner Pass, following the Adige River until Trent (Trento). In this region, cities often have two names, because many of the people speak German. At Trent, they turn off and head for Monte Bondone (1650m, 19.5 km, average gradient 7.5%, maximum gradient 13%, 1457m of elevation gain). Then they head down to the northern tip of Lake Garda and at the town of Arco they loop around to the east to catch the Santa Barbara (1165m, 13 km, 7.3% average gradient, maximum gradient of 23%!!!!, 951 m elevation gain). Then, they continue the loop back to the city of Arco (86m). Both climbs, Bondone and Santa Barbara are GPM climbs.

Gilberto Simoni in pink

Results:

1. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) 5hr 13min 31sec. 31.77 km/hr
2. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Botolo) s.t. (later disqualified for punching spectator)
3. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) s.t.
4. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
5. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) s.t.
6. Hernan Buenagora (Selle Italia) s.t.
7. Serguei Gontchar (Liqigas) @ 4sec
8. Paolo Savoldelli (Saeco) s.t.
9. Peter Luttenberger (Tacconi Sport) @ 22sec
10. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) s.t.
11. José Azevedo (ONCE) s.t.
12. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) s.t.
13. Abraham Olano (ONCE) s.t.
14. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) s.t.
15. José Castelblanco (Selle Italia) @ 52sec

GC after Stage 14:

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) 68 hr 36min 45sec
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 44sec
3. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) @ 1min 44sec
4. Hernan Buenahora (Selle Italia) @ 2min 19sec
5. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 2min 24sec
6. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 2min 36sec
7. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 3min 45sec
8. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 4min 15sec
9. Serguei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 5min 7sec
10. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 5mn 18sec

Mountains Leader: Fredy Gonzalez (Selle Italia)
Points Leader: Masssimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)
Intergiro Leader: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)

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June 3, Sunday, Stage 15: Sermione Terme - Salo', 55 km individual time trial. This stage circles around the southwest end of Lake Garda, north of Mantua and east of Milan. Starting at the end of a narrow peninsula stickng into Lake Garda at 10:50 AM, the last rider should should arrive in Salo around 5:00 PM, local time.The promoters are expecting average speed of between 46 kph (1hr 12.5min) and 50 kph (1hr 6.5min). On the map below, there are three points labeled "RC". These are the time-check points. Can Dario Frigo pull out enough time from a determined Simoni? We'll also be able to see how Kaiser Jan is progressing in his build-up to the Tour.

Results:

I think Simoni's comment says it all: "The Pink Jersey is magic!" He and Frigo out time-trialed two of the finest living crono-specialists, Olano and Honchar.

1. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) 1hr 11min 35sec. 46.52 km/hr
2. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) @ 28sec
3. Abrahm Olano (ONCE) @ 1min 15sec
4. Sergej Honchar (Liquigas) @ 1min 31sec
5. Jose Azevedo (ONCE) @ 2min 24sec
6. Marco Velo (Mercatone Uno) @ 2min 44sec
7. Andrea Peron (Fassa Bortolo) @ 2min 50sec
8. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto Adecco) @ 3min 39sec
9. Laurent Desbiens (Kelme-Costa Blanca) @ 3min 43sec
10. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 3min 48sec
30. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 5min 31sec
53. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 7min 4sec
63. Jan Ullrich (Telekom) @ 7min 39sec
81. Danilo Di Luca (Cantina Tollo) @ 8min 29sec

GC after Stage 15:

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) stays in pink. 69hr 48min 49sec
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 15sec
3. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 4min 32sec
4. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) @ 5min 22sec
5. Serguei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 6min 10sec
6. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 7min 14sec
7. Andrea Noe (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 7min 35sec
8. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 7min 39sec
9. Hernan Buenagora (Selle Italia) @ 7min 40sec
10. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 8min 20sec

Climber (GPM): Fredy Gonzalez (Selle Italia)
Points: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)
Intergiro: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)

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June 4, Monday, Stage 16: Erbusco - Parma, 131 km. Not quite pan flat, but awfully close. It starts out at 1:05 PM in the little town of Erbusco (195m). We are now a few kilometers to the west of Sunday's stage, on the main route between Torino, Milan and Venice. If you look on the road map below, Bergamo is the city to the west of Erbusco, on the way to Milan. The race goes east a little bit to find the only elevation change around, going from 185m to 238m at Torbiato for the day's GPM prize. Then, they head south across the Po River Plain to end in Parma at 4:30 for a probable sprint finish.

Results:

1. Ivan Quaranta (Alexia) 3hr 52min 55sec. 36.579 km/hr
2. Endrio Leoni (Alessio) s.t.
3. Mario Cipollini (Saeco) s.t.
4. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) s.t.
5. Marco Zanotti (Liquigas) s.t.
6. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) s.t.
7. Stefano Zanini (Mapei-Quick Step) s.t.
8. Andrej Hauptman (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
9. Mauro Geroso (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
10. Guido Trenti (Cantina Tollo) s.t.

GC after Stage 16:

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) 71hr 41min 44sec
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 15sec
3. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 4min 32sec
4. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) @ 5min 22sec
5. Serguei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 6min 10sec
6. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 7min 14sec
7. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 7min 35sec
8. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 7min 39sec
9. Hernan Buenahora (Selle Italia) @ 7min 40sec
10. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 8min 20sec

Climber (GPM): Fredy Gonzalez (Selle Italia) And wearing Vittoria Shoes!
Points: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)
Intergiro: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)

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June 5, Tuesday: Rest Day

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June 6, Wednesday, Stage 17: San Remo Circuito dei Fiori, 138 km. Back to work, boys. The rest day entailed a long transfer, which the racers hate. The stage starts and ends in the city of San Remo (13m elevation) on the Italian Riviera. They roll out of town at 2:05 PM local time. They head down the coast in the direction of France and turn north into the hills at km 14.6. They climb to 900 m at Baiardo (km 35.4) for the first of 2 GPM climbs. Then they head south back to San Remo. Then, they head east on the coast and then north into the hills, climbing the famed Poggio hill the other way than they do in the Spring classic. Looping up to the Passo di Ghimbegna (898m) for the second of the day's GPM climbs at km 88, they then head back down the same road to San Remo that they used when the returned from Baiardo to San Remo the first time. They should arrive abut 5:00 as usual, local time. This stage is no cakewalk, but I don't see Frigo prying any of those precious 15 seconds from Simoni on this stage. Tougher stuff is coming Thursday. Much, much tougher stuff.

Results:

1. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) 3hr 36min 52sec. 34.03 km/hr
2. Jose Azevedo (ONCE) @ 2sec
3. Jan Ullrich (Telekom) @ 27sec
4. Gianni Faresin (Liquifas) s.t.
5. Matthias Kessler (Telekom) @ 36sec
6. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 39sec
7. Mauro Zanetti (Alessio) s.t.
8. Matteo Tosatto (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
9. Marco Velo (Mercatone Uno) s.t.
10. Unai Osa (iBanesto) s.t.

GC after Stage 17:

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) 77hr 19min 15sec
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 15sec
3. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 4min 28sec
4. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) @ 5min 22sec
5. Serguei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 6min 10sec
6. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 6min 29sec
7. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 7min 35sec
8. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 7min 39sec
9. Hernan Buenahora (Selle Italia) @ 7min 40sec
10. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 8min 20sec

Mountains: Fredy Gonzalez (Selle Italia)
Points: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)
Intergiro: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)

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June 7, Thursday, Stage 18: Imperia - Santa Anna di Vinadio, 234 km. Cancelled after San Remo drug raid revealed massive doping within the Giro pelton.

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June 8, Friday, Stage 19: Alba - Busto Arsizio, 184 km. Unless you believe in miracles, it doesn't seem likely that there will be any GC change today. It's not completely flat, but about as close as you can come as they cross the eastern Po River plain, also crossing the Ticino and several other rivers. They leave Alba (172m) at 1:05 PM Italian local time and just head northeast towards Milan. They managed find a rise to 260 meters elevation at km 45, and they call that the GPM climb for the day.They should arrive at Busto Arsizio around 5:00 PM for three circuits of 5 kms each. Tourists will recognize this name because it's the off-ramp to go to Malpensa airport. It should be a great day for racing. The weather is forecast to be sunny, 82F (28C) with the wind at just 2mph (3kph) from the north.
Results:

1. Mario Cipollini (Saeco) 3hr 35min 4sec. 45.474 km/hr
2. Marco Zanotti (Liquigas) s.t.
3. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) s.t.
4. Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta) s.t.
5. Dmitri Konyshev (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
6. Andrei Hauptman (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
7. Fabio Baldato (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
8. Ivan Quaranta (Alexia) s.t.
9. Mauro Gerosa (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
10. Giovanni Lombardi (Telekom) s.t.

GC after Stage 19: Olano picks up a few seconds by being in the front group. Frigo was booted from Giro as a result of the San Remo drug raid on Wednesday.

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) stays in pink. 80hr 54min 31sec
2. Dario Frigo (Fassa Bortolo) @ 15sec (out of the Giro!)
3. Abrahm Olano (ONCE) @ 4min 12sec (now 2nd place)
4. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) @ 5min 22sec
5. Serguei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 6min 10sec
6. José Azevedo (ONCE) @ 6min 29sec
7. Andrea Noe (Mapei) @ 7min 35sec
8. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 7min 39sec
9. Hernan Buenahora (Selle Italia) @ 7min 49sec
10. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 8min 20sec

Mountains: Fredy Gonzalez (Selle Italia)
Points: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)
Intergiro: Massimo Strazzer (Mobilvetta)

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June 9, Saturday, Stage 20: Busto Arsizio - Arona, 188 km. Starting in Busto-Arsizio (226m) at noon, this route take the race into the hill bordering Lake Maggiore. They've put in a double loop to take the Mottarone twice. It was intended by the race designers that the outcome of the race would be in doubt until this decisive stage. The events of the past few days have given Simoni an almost sure thing. As they head up into the lake counrty, the road rises a little. By km 45 (the little town of Miasino), they are at 367 meters and turn off onto the road to the Mattarone at km 67 (1389 m, 8.2% average gradient, 14% maximum, 10.6 km long, 866m elevation gain) for the first GPM climb. Then, down the west side of Lake Maggiore to Arona (223m), then back around to the Mottarone (they'll hit it at km 139 this time) again for the second GPM climb. Then a very slightly different route back to Arona. The feed is at km 116. Weather forecast for Novara, a few kilometers southeast of Busto-Arsizio is 80F (27C) and partly cloudy. It looks like there may be rain on Sunday for the finale in Milan.

Results

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) 5hr 3min 38sec. 35.766 km/hr
2. Paolo Savoldelli (Saeco) @ 2min 25sec
3. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 2min 43sec
4. Daniele De Paoli (Mercatone Uno) s.t.
5. Matteo Tosatto (Fassa Bortolo) @ 3min 3sec
6. Marco Velo (Mercatone Uno) @ 3min 3sec
7. Serguei Gointchar (Liquigas) s.t.
8. Vladimir Duma (Panaria) s.t.
9. Unai Osa (iBanesto.com) s.t.
10. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) s.t.

GC after Stage 20:

1. Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) 85hr 54min 1sec
2. Abraham Olano (ONCE) @ 7min 31sec
3. Unai Osa (Ibanesto) @ 8min 37sec
4. Serguei Gontchar (Liquigas) @ 9min 25sec
5. Jose Azevedo (ONCE) @ 9min 44sec
6. Andrea Noe (Mapei) @ 10min 50sec
7. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 10min 54sec
8. Carlos Contreras (Selle Italia) @ 11min 35sec
9. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 13min 25sec
10. Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) @ 14min 8sec

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June 10, Sunday, Stage 21: Arona - Milan, 124 km. The final stage. Barring serious misfortune, the race is decided. Simoni has a lock on GC, Strazzer owns the Points and Intergiro and Fredy Gonzalez with his beautiful Vittoria Shoes will win the Mountain (GPM) contest. It's not a long stage. They'll start at 1:55 PM in Arona on the shore of Lake Maggiore and head almost due southeast into Milan. It's pretty flat. When in Milan, they'll do 10 circuits around of 6.2 km each around the big, hulking Sforza Castle and the Sempione Park. A nice Criterium finsh that should end in a blaze of speed. But....rain is forecast in Milan for Sunday. 79F (26C), and almost no wind are predicted. They should finish about 5:00 PM Italian local time (That's 8:00 AM PDT).

Results:

1. Mario Cipollini (Saeco) 3hr 5min 1sec. 40.536 km/hr
2. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) s.t.
3. Marco Zanotti (Liquigas) s.t.
4. Mauro Gerosa (Tacconi) s.t.
5. Ivan Quaranta (Alexia) s.t.
6. Stefano Casagranda (Alessio) s.t.
7. Andrei Hauptman (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
8. Stefano Zanini (Mapei-Quick Step) s.t.
9. Guido Trenti (Cantna Tollo) s.t.
10. PAolo Bossoni (Tacconi Sport) s.t.

Complete Final 2001 Giro d'Italia General Classification

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The 20 teams and some of their principal riders

Updated May 18

Alessio: Ivan Gotti, Endrio Leoni

Alexia: Pascal Herve, Ivan Quaranta

Bonjour: Damien Nazon, Jean Cyril Robin

Cantina Tollo: Danilo Di Luca

Panaria: Vladimir Douma

Telekom: Jan Ullrich, Erik Zabel, Giuseppe Guerini, Danilo Hondo, Kevin Livingston

Fassa Bortolo: Francesco Casagrande, Dario Frigo, Wladimir Belli, Dimitri Konyshev

IBanesto: Leonardo Piepoli

Kelme

Lampre: Gilberto Simoni, Oscar Camenzind, Max Sciandri

Liquigas: Sergei Hontchar, Davide Rebellin

Lotto: Jeroen Blijlevens, Rik Verbrugghe

Mapei: Paolo Bettini, Stefano Garzelli, Manuel Beltran, Andrea Noe

Mercatone-Uno: Marco Pantani, Marco Velo, Simone Borgheresi

Mobilvetta

ONCE: Abraham Olano, Jan Hruska

Saeco: Mario Cipollini, Mirko Celestino, Laurent Dufeaux, Paolo Savoldelli

Selle Italia Pacific: Hernan Buenahora

Tacconi Sport: Gianluca Bortolami, Eddy Mazzoleni

Team Colpack

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Predictions

I have asked a few of my friends who they think will win the Giro.

Chairman Bill

Pink Jersey: 1st Pantani, 2nd Casagrande, 3rd Garzelli. I know everyone is looking at Casagrande as the man to beat. And, as the World No.1, he is. Also, he is highly motivated. In all the interviews he gives, it is clear that Casagrande replays the 2000 Giro and his near win in his mind over and over and over. He also has a superb team. Barring misfortune, he will be on the Podium.

Garzelli has it all. He can climb, and time trial, and read a race well. He is just coming into form. His team, Mapei, is not as well suited for Grand Tours, but they are no pushovers.

Pantani, however, can leave everyone open-mouthed when he launches an attack in the mountains. Remember last year, how he was able to turn in some spectacular performances on very poor preparation? In the last week of the 2000 Giro, he had to wait for Garzelli at least once. With three mountain-top finishes in this year's Giro, he is capable of putting real time on the competition. Also he is one of the peloton's most skilled descenders. He has a very loyal team designed to do one thing, get a man to Milan or Paris in the winner's jersey. Since 1998, they have done it 3 times. Add a reasonable time-trial ability that allows him to limit his losses and you have a man that can win this race. One more thing to add to this. Pantani is furious at his exclusion from the Tour. I'm sure he would love to give Leblanc a figurative "Ted Williams Salute" from the Winner's Podium in Milan.

But... as Antonio notes below, there is a joker in the deck. If Ullrich finds himself in Pink after the 55 kilometer individual time trial on stage 15, a distinct possiblity, he could then go for the Giro-Tour double. He insists that he is just riding the Giro for training. Is he sandbagging us? If Ullrich races to win, then the 3rd week of the Giro will turn into the greatest week of bike racing in modern history.

Green Jersey (mountains): Like Antonio below, I give this to Danilo Di Luca. This is, of course, dependent on Cantina Tollo team management keeping the women from trying to break down "Handsome Dan's" hotel room door, so that he can get some rest between stages. Some guys have real problems.

Cyclamen Jersey (Points): I give this Cipollini. Giro management has shown a willingness to overlook his cheating to get over the hills. Since he will be watching the Tour on TV, he will be very motivated to make the Giro his.

Celestino Vercelli (7-time Giro finisher and owner of Vittoria Shoes)

Celestino had seen my predictions and is referring to my above comments.

Pink Jersey: 1st Pantani, 2nd Simoni, 3rd Casagrande. I believe your predictions are right, and your reasoning is the same as mine.

I visited Marco Pantani in Cesenatico two weeks ago and found him absolutely determined to have a great season this year. Too many bad things have given him a great will of revenge (rivincita in Italian).

Pantani said, referring to the Giro, "This is a very important test. I have the possibility to demonstrate to all, adversaries, critics, public, that Pantani "is". In the next Giro I will begin, maybe with suffering. But, I am sure that all my work in preparation will bear fruit - I will run against myself."

Also, speaking with Mr. Giuseppe Martinelli, team manager of Mercatone-Uno, comforted me. Martinelli told me: "Marco has been thinking about the Giro from November. His mind is very focused. In the last month he looked very good. All the team is very close to him and this is very important for his morale. I saw some flashes of lightening in his last training sessions..."

Marco Pantani is also the favorite of Alfredo Martini of the Italian National Team.

Maybe logic says Casagrande, Garzelli, Simoni, Pantani in the first 4 places, but my podium is Pantani, Simoni, Casagrade for the same reasons you give about the last week in the Giro.

Green Jersey (Mountains) 1st Casagrande, 2nd Pantani or Simoni

Cyclamen Jersey (Points) 1st Cipollini, 2nd Quaranta

Antonio Mondonico

Pink Jersey: Casagrande. He has shown incredible strength and power in the races from middle April to the start of May. He decided to stop racng for two weeks just before the start of the Giro. This means that he wants to avoid arriving at the third week of the Giro out of gas, which happened last year.

Green Jersey (mountains): Di Luca, if he gets knocked out of the fight for the podium.

Cyclamen Jersey (points): Cipollini, since he is probably out of the Tour, so he will fight really hard to try to finish the race and make it to Milan.

Of course, it will be an incredible race with so many important riders ready to show their good condition. But, the race is so long, and 3 weeks is very hard to handle.

Then, I think there is a big uncertainty: Mr. Ullrich. If he finds himself in good shape, staying in the front for the first ten days, and he decides not to retire, thinking of the Tour, then he will be a very hard competitor for the Pink Jersey. But, in the end, I think the Tour is the crucial event of the season for him and he will come to the Giro just to find the right condition.

Paolo Guerciotti, former Cyclocross Champion of Italy:

Pink Jersey: 1st: Francesco Casagrande, he is the strongest. 2nd: Dario Frigo who recently won Paris-Nice and Tour of Romandie. 3rd: Danilo DiLuca, who won the amateur Giro two years ago and is a very young, powerful rider. 4th: Jan Ullrich.

Green Jersey (mountains): Perhaps Wladimir Belli.

Cyclamen (points): I haven't given this much thought, perhaps Ivan Quaranta.

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