---

Bill & Carol McGann's book The Story of the Giro d'Italia, Vol 2: 1971 - 2011 is available as an audiobook here.

The Stages with the principle climbs noted There are 3 hill-top finishes; stages 11, 13, and 17.

May 11 SATURDAY Prologue: GRONINGEN: (Individual time trial), 6.5 km

Flat, but as the map shows below, highly technical.

Weather: Cool, overcast, no wind. The GC contenders rode conservatively on the tricky, slippery couse, trying not to crash (as Tyler Hamilton did) and not lose too much time. The course favored those that could sprint back up to speed rather than a big-gear crono specialist.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport noted that there was a lot of bad luck in this stage. Cipollini flatted towards the end of his ride The soft tire stole precious seconds. Just as Gotti was taking off, a judge made him put on a helmet, costing him 10 seconds. Pellizzoti's tri-bars came loose just as he left the start gate, requiring a change to a non-crono bike. Stangelj crashed, breaking his collarbone. His Giro is over.

1. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) 8min 12sec. 47.56 km/hr
2. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 1sec
3. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 4sec
4. Matthias Buxhofer (Phonak) @ 8sec
5. Frank Hoj (Coast) @ 9sec
6. Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) @ 10sec
7. Grischa Niermann (Rabobank) s.t.
8. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) @ 13sec
9. Carlos Sastre (CSC Tiscali) s.t.
10. Torsten Hiekmann (Telekom) @ 14sec
11. Robbie McEwen (Lotto) s.t.
13. Mario Cipollini (Aqua Sapone) @ 15sec. Flat tire
18. Paolo Bettini (Mapei) @ 18sec
24. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 19sec
28. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 20sec
31. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 21sec
53. Wladimir Belli (Fass Bortolo) @ 25sec
100. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 34sec crashed
104. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) s.t.

---

May 12 SUNDAY Stage 1: GRONINGEN - MÜNSTER, 215km

A crash in the final kilometers caused a split. Simoni and Casagrande were in the front group. In the second group Frigo, Casagrade, Hamilton, Gotti Tonkov and Pantani losing abut 25 and more seconds. Cipollini wins the Intergiro sprint as well as the final sprint, so the time bonuses put him in pink. Michele Bartoli is out of the Giro with broken leg from the crash.

1. Mario Cipollini (Acqua Sapone) 5hr 37min 14sec . 38.786 km/hr
2. Graeme Brown (Panaria) s.t.
3. Robbie McEwen (Lotto) s.t.
4. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) s.t.
5. Sven Teutenberg (Phonak) s.t.
6. Robert Hunter (Mapei) s.t.
7. Miguel Meza (Colpack) s.t.
8. Mykhaylo Khalilov (Selle Italia)
9. Steven De Jongh (Rabobank) s.t.
10. Matteo Carrara (Colpack) s.t.
15. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 4sec
18. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
22. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) s.t.
51. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 25sec
52. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) s.t.
69. Ivan Gotti (Alessio)s.t.
72. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) s.t.

GC after stage 1:

1. Mario Cipollini (Acqua Sapone) 5hr 45min 23sec
2. Matthias Buxhofer (Phonak) @ 11sec
3. Frank Hoj (Coast) @ 12sec
4. Robbie McEwen (Lotto) @ 13sec
5. Paolo Bettini (Mapei) @ 20sec
6. Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) @ 20sec
7. Robert Hunter (Mapei) @ 21sec
8. Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) @ 21sec
9. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) @ 22sec
10. Sven Teutenberg (Phonak) @ 23se
17. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 26sec
25. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 37sec
37. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 48sec
38. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 29sec
50. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 54sec
61. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 1min 2sec
95. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 1min 14sec
120. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 1min 21sec

---

May 13 MONDAY Stage 2: KÖLN - ANS/LIEGE, 209 Km

Ascents:

Km 70: Kleinhau, 401 meters elevation.
Km 205: Cote de Saint Nicolas (mt. 497), 3.7 Km, 10.57% gradient
Km 207: Ans sur Walthere Jamar (mt. 225), 1.2 km, 8.58% gradient

Results:

1. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 5hr 25min 12sec. 38.56 km/hr
2. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
3. Jens Heppner (Telekom) s.t.
4. Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
5. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) s.t.
6. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) s.t.
7. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) s.t.
8. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 3sec
9. Mykhaylo Khalilov (Selle Italia) s.t.
10. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) s.t.
11. Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) s.t.
12. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) st.
89. Mario Cipollini (Acqua Sapone) @ 1min 18sec
141. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 3min 26sec

Corrected GC after stage 2:

1. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 11hr 10min 45sec
2. Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) @ 13sec
3. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 19sec
4. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) @ 21sec
5. Matthias Kessler (Telekom) @ 21sec
6. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 31sec
7. Mykhaylo Khavilov (Phonak) @ 33sec
8. Matthias Buxhofer (Phonak) @ 34sec
9. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 37sec
10. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 41sec
15. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 47sec
19. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 52sec
21. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 52sec
30. Mario Cipollini (Acqua Sapone) @ 1min 8sec
31. Paolo Savoldelli @ 1min 9sec

Points: 1st Cipollini (33 points), 2nd Garzelli (26 points)

Mountains: 1st Casagrande (5 points), 2nd Fredy Gonzalez (3 points), 3rd Garzelli (3 points)

---

Tuesday, May 14, Stage 3: VERVIERS - ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, 213 km

Ascents:

Km 22: Cote de la Sauveniere, 570 meters elevation.
Km 112: Um Knupp, 470 meters elevation.

Weather: Torrential rains during the earlier part of the stage have stopped. Selle Italia's Contreras is sick and has retired from the race.

Results:

1. Mario Cipollini (Acqua Sapone) 5hr 46min 47sec. 35.62 km/hr
2. Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) s.t.
3. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) s.t.
4. Isaac Galvez (Kelme) s.t.
5. Mykhaylo Khalilov (Selle Italia) s.t.
6. Graeme Brown (Panaria) s.t.
7. Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
8. Steven De Jongh (Rabobank) s.t.
9. Moreno Di Biase (Mobilvetta) s.t.
10. Sven Teutenberg (Phonak) s.t.

GC after Stage 3:

1. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 16hr 57min 42sec
2. Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) @ 13sec
3. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 19sec
4. Juan Carlos Dominguez @ 21sec
5. Matthias Kessler (Telekom) @ 27sec
6. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 31
7. Mykhaylo Khavilov (Phonak)@ 31sec
8. Matthias Buxhofer (Phonak) @ 34sec
9. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 37sec
10. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 41sec
14. Sergei Gontchar (Fassa Bortolo) @ 47sec
19. Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) @ 50sec
20. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 52sec
22. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 52sec
23. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) @ 53sec
31. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 1min 9sec
57. Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) @ 1min 44sec
97. Julio Perez-Cuapio (Panaria) @ 3min 38sec

---

WEDNESDAY, May 15: Stage 4, ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE (Luxembourg) - STRASBOURG (France), 210 km.

Results:

1. Robbie McEwen (Lotto) 5hr 37min 13sec. 41.28 km/hr
2. Mario Cipollini (Acqua & Sapone) s.t.
3. Enrico Degano (Panaria) s.t.
4. Graeme Brown (Panaria) s.t.
5. Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
6. Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) s.t.
7. Aart Vierhouten (Lotto) s.t.
8. Sven Teutenberg (Phonak) s.t.
9. Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) s.t.
10. Moreno Di Biase (Mobilvetta-Trentino) s.t.

GC after Stage 4:

1. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 22hr 34min 55sec
2. Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) @ 9sec
3. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 19sec
4. Juan Carlos Dominguez @ 21sec
5. Matthias Kessler (Telekom) @ 27sec
6. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 31sec
7. Mykhaylo Khavilov (Phonak)@ 31sec
8. Mattthias Buxhofer (Phonak) @ 34sec
9. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 37sec
10. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 41sec

Points leader: Mario Cipollini
Intergiro Leader: Massimo Strazzer
Mountains Leader: Francesco Casgrande

Live updates:

Last kilometer, Acqua and Telekom keep the speed up. McEwen is on Cipolllni's wheel. McEwen beats Cipo by inches. Garzelli takes the Pink Jersey to Italy when the Giro resumes on friday.

35 km to go, the breakaways are caught.

Km 165. Contrini takes the GPM climb, Konyshev gets 2nd. Their lead is now 1 min 30sec. From the field Marzoli (Trentini-Mobilvetta) takes the remaining GPM place.

Km 132, 100 to go: Lead grows to 2 minutes.

Km 113: Daniele Contrini (Gerolsteiner) and Dimitri Konyshev (Fassa Bortolo) broke away after the Intergiro and have a lead of 26sec.

At kilometer 103, Strazzer takes the Intergiro sprint, Guidi is 2nd, Klemencic is third. The pack is together.

---

May16 THURSDAY: REST DAY

---

FRIDAY, May 17: Stage 5, FOSSANO - LIMONE PIEMONTE, 143 km. Live updates are listed under the stage maps below. The race takes place just south-south west of Torino in Northwestern Italy. The finish at Limone Piemonte is almost due north of Monaco. The Intergiro Sprint will be at km 96.5, just after the Rossano climb.

Ascents:

Km 84.5: Colletto di Rossana (mt. 617), 6 Km, 2.85% gradient

Km 127.5: Colletto del Moro (mt. 949), 3 km, 11.60% gradient

Km. 150: Limone Piemonte (mt. 1407), 10 km, 4% gradient. Hill-top finish.

Results:

1. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 3hr 46min 45sec. 40.495 km/hr
2. Santiago Perez-Fernandez (Kelme) s.t.
3. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) s.t.
4. Franceso Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
5. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 7sec
6. Fernando Escartin (Coast) s.t.
7. Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Kelme) @ 9sec
8. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) s.t.
9. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) s.t.
10. Michele Scarponi (Acqua Sapone) @ 14sec
11. Pavel Tonkov (Lampre) s.t.

GC after Stage 5:

1. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 26hr 21min 28sec
2. Francesco Casgrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 43sec
3. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 1min
4. Santiago Perez Fernandez @ 1min 3sec
5. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1min 6sec
6. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) @ 1min 10sec
7. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 1min 11sec
8. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 1min 13sec
9. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 1min 14ec
10. Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) @ 1min 19sec
11. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 1min 29sec
16. Paolo Savoldelli @ 1min 38sec

Here is a rough translation from a story about the stage in Thursday's La Gazzetta Dello Sport:

"The first GPM (climber's prize) comes after 84 kilometers in the middle of the race in Colletto di Rossana. It is a 3rd category climb, 2.2 kilometers long, and gains 617 meters in elevation. After 127.5 kilometers they come up against the Colletto del Moro with a 940 meter elevation gain. It is a 2nd category, but there are places where the gradient is terrible. There are 3.9 kilometers of climbing on a road that is only 2 to 3.5 meters wide (Chairman Bill's note: This road is so small it doesn't even show up on the good TCI Italian maps), with an average gradient of 8.8%, with places at 21%. The climb begins at Cerati which is 25.3 kilometers from the finish line. The gradient goes gradually to 8%, then descends at 5.3%. Then the road climbs with gradients of up to 21%.

The final climb begins 14.2 kilometers from the finish in Vernante with a very difficult part that begins 7.8 kilometers from the summit. It arrives in Panice Soprana, 1,400 meters high. After having ridden an average gradient of 4.4% with a maximum of 10% and having gained 621 meters of elevation, the first 7.6 kilometers of the final climbs have a gradient of between 0.4% and 4.1%. Then the road goes up decisively going to 8.3% for 300 meters between kilometers 8.85 and 9.15 of the final climb, then 7.9% between kilometers 13.61 and 14.2. The finish is 7.7%. The finish is not extremely difficult because of the good condition of the road. It is likely that the race will be decided on the Colletto del Moro."

Live updates:

Garzelli wins the stage!

Garzelli leads the chase, and his form is awsome as he blows by.

Within 2 km to go, Garate (Lampre) goes after Pelizotti

Less than 3 km to go. Pelizotti (Alessio) goes. Cadel Evans leads the pack in chase

De Los Angeles (Kelme) goes and passes Laverde. Hamilton takes a pull. Together again.

Laverde (Mobilvetta-Trentini) has attacked and is gone. No reaction at 5 km to go

6 km to go, a bunch of Mapei riders lead Garzelli. Bettini sits up on the climb. He's done and will roll on in and save his strenth for another day.

Lead group is about 40 riders now.

10 km to go: Savoldelli, Gotti, Savoldelli, Rebellin, Frigo, Tonkov have closed the gap. The lead group is big with all the contenders. Hamilton is riding Sastre's bike. He look beat up but OK.

The chasers with Frigo is 25sec behind the Pink jersey lead group of about 12

Bettini hammering away at the front of the lead group. Fernandez of Kelme has joined the lead group.. Hamilton, who is 100% courage, has joined the leaders

After the descent, a group of 6 with Bettini, Garzelli, Belli, Simoni, Hiekmann Casgrande, Simoni. A chase Group with Hamilton, Evans who has crashed hard and some Gerolsteiners with Rebellin are chasing hard at 30sec

1st over the Moro: 1st Bettini, 2nd Hiekmann, 3rd Garzelli. The break is gone. Casagrande, Simoni and Hamilton are right there. The field is shattered

Leading the pack: Evans, Garzelli, Casagrande, Simoni, Hamilton.

25 km to go: Gap is 38sec. Casagrande and Garzelli are at the front of the pack at the serious climbing starts. Garzelli is setting tempo the front of the pack. Simoni is up at the front. Bettini is blasting off the front of the break. This is really steep.

30 km to go, 4 km to the climb, break advantage 2min. Pack looks strung out now, break less organized.

35 to go, break still has 2min 30sec advantage. Bettini would love to be way up the road for Garzelli for the crucial climbs. Lampre is pulling the pack

43 to go, advantage of the breakaway, 2min 30sec.

50 km to go: 13 riders off the front, including Bettini, Sacchi, Piccoli (no GC contenders) have a 42sec lead.

Intergiro: It looks like it came back together. 1st Strazzer, 2nd Guidi, 3rd Graeme Brown. 42.5 km/hr average for the first 2 hours

Km 85, first GPM: 1st Mesa Mesa, 2nd Nardello, 3rd Faresin. Group of 8 @ 16sec, Pink jersey group at 33sec.

Kilometer 70: It's starting to go up a bit now. 1st hours average speed was 42,1 km/hr. Lotto's Van Lancker has abandoned. Rabo's Veneberg has an 18 second advantage as constant attempts to breakaway are quickly snuffed out. Oops, now he's caught.

Stage 5, Kilometer 40: All together. There was a crash at km 28, but all regained the pack. There are 4 non-starters today; Danilo Honod, whose mother died, Secchiari and Clavero who crashed in stage 4, and Romano who has pain in his wrist.

---

Saturday, May 18: Stage 6, Cuneo - Varazze, 191 kilometers.

Race leader Stefano Garzelli was found "non-negative" for the banned drug Probenecid. He can remain in the race until the "B" sample is confirmed.

Km 151: Bric Berton, 773 meters elevation.

Results:

1. Giovanni Lombardi (Acqua & Sapone) 4hr 56min 43sec. 38.62 km/hr
2. Ruggero Marzoli (Mobilvetta-Trentini) s.t.
3. Bert Grabsch (Phonak) s.t.
4. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) s.t.
5. Angel Vicioso (Kelme) s.t.
6. Yaroslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) s.t.
7. Jens Heppner (Telekom) s.t.
8. Mario Piccoli (Lampre) s.t.
9. Francisco Leon Mane (Kelme) @ 18sec
10. Thorwarld Veneberg (Rabobank) s.t.
11. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
12. Juan Ramirez (Colombia-Selle Italia) @ 22sec
13. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 4min 21sec
14. Myhaylo Khalilov (Selle Italia) @ 5min 5sec

GC after Stage 6:

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 31hr 19min 45sec
2. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 3min 33sec
3. Yaroslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) @ 3min 43sec
4. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 3min 45sec
5. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) @ 3min 57sec
6. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 16sec
7. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 4min 27sec
8. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 4min 33sec
9. Santiago Perez (Kelme-Costa Blanca) @ 4min 36sec
10. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 39sec

Live updates:

Lombardi (Acqua Sapone) wins. Jens Heppner is almost certainly the new Pink Jersey. Pack comes in at 5min 5sec

Km 151: The GPM climb, Bric Berton: 1st Marzoli, 2nd Popovych, 3rd Piccoli. The 12 man break is holding at about 6 minutes. I think they're gone for the day. It's still raining.

Km 125: 12 riders have a 7min 27sec lead on the field. The group includes Popovych, Mazzoleni, Lombardi, Piccoli and Jens Heppner, who is the virtual Pink Jersey on the road.

It's raining. Strazzer took the Intergiro followed by Guidi and Streel.

---

Sunday, May 19: Stage 7, CIRCUIT of VERSILIA, 159 Km. Three times around the big loop on the map below. Viareggio is just north of Pisa on the west coast of Italy.

Results:

1. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) 4hr 3min 59sec
2. Raphael Schweda (Coast) @ 59sec
3. Cristian Moreni (Alessio)s.t.
4. Max Sciandri (Lampre) @ 1min 2sec
5. Gianni Faresin (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
6. Oscar Periero (Phonak) s.t.
7. Denis Lunghi (Colpack) s.t.
8. Dario Cioni (Mapei) @ 1min 8sec
9. Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) S 1min 46sec
10. Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) s.t.

GC after Stage 7:

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 35hr 25min 30sec
2. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 3min 33sec
3. Yaroslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) @ 3min 43sec
4. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 3min 45sec
5. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) @ 3min 57sec
6. Angel Vicioso (Kelme) @ 4min 9sec
7. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 16sec
8. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 4min 27sec
9. ilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 4min 33sec
10. Santiago Perez (Kelme-Costa Blanca) @ 4min 36sec
11. 11. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 39sec
12. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) @ 4min43sec
13. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 4min 44sec
14. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 4min 46sec
15. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 4min 47sec

Mountains leader: Stefano Garzelli (Mapei)
Points Leader: Mario Cipollini (Acqua Sapone)

Live updates:

Verbrugghe (Lotto) holds on to the end for a solo win.

Final time up the hill. The break blows up. Verbrugghe gets away and screams down the hill.

Km 120: 10 riders got off the front when the pack went through Viareggio. The break is working well together and they have increased their lead to about 1min 30sec. In the break are some good tough guys; Verbrugghe, Lunghi, Faresin, Sciandri and Tosatto.

Km 88: GPM climb: 1st Jose Castelblance of Selle Italia, 2nd Dario Cioni, 3rd Francesco Casagrande. Astonishingly, Paolo Bettini is in trouble and has come off.

Km 59: Intergiro sprint. 1st Ivan Quaranter, 2nd Strazzer, 3rd Di Biase

---

Monday, May 20: Stage 8, CAPANNORI - ORVIETO, 237 Km.
Km 170: Radicofani (716 meters elevation).

Results:

1. Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) 5hr 47min 54sec. 41.908 km/hr
2. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4sec
3. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) s.t.
4. Juan Garate (Lampre)s.t.
5. Cristian Moreni (Alessio) s.t.
6. Ruggero Marzoli (Mobilvetta-Trentini) s.t.
7. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi)s.t.
8. Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
9. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) s.t.
10. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) s.t.

GC after Stage 8. Things changed a bit from yesterday:

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 41hr 13min 28sec
2. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 3min 33sec
3. Yarslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) @ 3min 43sec
4. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) @ 3min 57sec
5. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 8sec
6. Angel Vicioso (Kelme) @ 4min 9sec
7. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 4min 27sec
8. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 4min 33sec
9. Wladimir Bell (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 39sec
10. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 4min 41sec

Live updates:

3km to go. Guidi sits up. He's caught. The field is just screamingly fast.

6K. Gap is 1min 11sec

15 km to go. Strazzer and Petacchi have been caught. Guidi has 2min 20sec.

22Km to go: Guidi has left his two breakaway companions. He is alone with 3min 20 seconds on the pack. Strazzer and Petacchi are in the middle, 1 min 30 seconds away from the group. Gerolsteiner and Saeco are leading and the speed is increasing.

Km 191: Strazzer takes the Intergiro without any fight from his breakaway companions. Guidi is 2nd, Petcchi is 3rd. The pack passes through at 4min 3sec. None of the the 3 are GC threats. Guidi is the highest placed at almost 8 minutes down.

Km 170: Petacchi take the GPM, Guidi is 2nd and Strazzer is 3rd. The trio is still 5 minutes ahead of a pack being lead by Telekom.

Km 127: Going through Buonconvento, Guidi, Strazzer and Guidi have a lead on the pack of 4min 55sec. The break, whoich started at km 67 was at one time almost 6min.

---

TUESDAY, May 21: Stage 9, TIVOLI - CASERTA, 208 km.

Results:

1. Mario Cipollini (Acqua & Sapone), stage win #37. 4hr 38min 56sec. 43.24 km/hr
2. Robbie McEwen (Lotto) s.t.
3. Cristian Moreni (Alessio) s.t.
4. Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) s.t.
5. Ivan Quaranta (Alexia) s.t.
6. Angelo Furlan (Alessio) s.t.
7. Moreno Di Biase (Formaggi-Trentini) s.t.
8. Mykhaylo Khalilov (Colombia-Selle Italia) s.t.
9. Sven Teutenberg (Phonak) s.t.

GC after stage 9. Garzelli was found positive for Probenecid and was ejected from the Giro

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 45hr 52min 24sec
2. Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) 3min 33sec
3. Yaroslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) @ 3min 43sec
4. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) @ 3min 57sec
5. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 8sec
6. Angel Vicioso (Kelme) @ 4min 9sec
7. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 4min 27sec
8. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 4min 33sec
9. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 39sec
10. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 4min 41sec

Live updates:

24k to go: All together.

30 km to go. Gualdi took off from his two companions. They have been caught by the field and Gualdi has a shrinking 30sec lead on the pack.

70 km to go: 3 riders Mariano Piccoli, Domenico Gualdi and Ruben Maruin broke away at the 16km mark. They are still away, but their lead is shrinking and it is now under 3 minutes. They took the first 3 Intergiro places: 1st Piccoli, 2nd Marin, 3rd Gualdi.

---

WEDNESDAY, May 22: Stage 10, MADDALONI - BENEVENTO, 118 km. Maddaloni is just a few kilometers southeast of yesterday's finishing city, Caserta. We're sitting just north Of Naples. This is really hilly terrain,but most of the tough possiblities are being avoided. That's for tomorrow.

Km 39: Monteforte Irpino, 519 meters elevation.

Weather for Wednesday's stage, windless and hot (30c).

Results:

1. Robbie McEwen (Lotto) 2hr 57min 24sec. 39.81 km/hr
2. Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) s.t.
3. Giovanni Lombardi (Acqua & Sapone) s.t.
4. Mykayho Khalilov (Selle Italia) s.t.
5. Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) s.t.
6. Cristian Moreni (Alessio) s.t.
7. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre)s.t.
8. Uros Murn (Mobilvetta-Trentino) s.t.
9. Yaroslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) s.t.
10. Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) s.t.

GC after Stage 10:

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 48hr 49min 48sec
2. Yaroslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) @ 3min 50sec
3. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) @ 3min 57sec
4. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 8sec
5. Angel Vicioso (Kelme) @ 4min 9sec
6. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 4min 27sec
7. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 4min 29sec
8. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 4min 39sec
9. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 4min 41sec
10. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) @ 4min 43sec

New Mountains Leader: Ruggero Marzoli
Points Leader: Massimo Strazzer (Phonak)

Live updates:

18 Km to go: The race is together at the start of the the three circuits of Benevento.

60 Km to go: The race started without Stefano Garzelli. It's all together.

GPM climb: 1st Castelblanco (Selle Italia), 2nd Ruggero Marzoli (Mobilvetta-Trentino), 3rd Denis Lunghi (Colpack).

Intergiro Sprint: Massimo Strazzer (Phonak), 2nd Fabrizio Guidi (Coast), Conte (Saeco) 3rd.

---

Wednesday, May 22: Gilberto Simoni was found "non-negative" for Cocaine at the Giro del Trentino. Cocaine is a banned stimulant. Simoni says that he went to the dentist the day before the test. Speculation is that perhaps the anesthetic contained traces of cocaine. If confirmed, he will still be allowed to complete the Giro, because the testing was before, not during the Giro. And, La Gazzetta Dello Sport reports that the substances labeled "hemassist" found in Dario Frigo's luggage during last year's Giro Blitz were not drugs, but salt water.

---

Thursday, May 23: Stage 11, Benevento - Campitello Matese, 140 km.

Campitello Matese, hilltop finish

Results:

1. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) 4hr 3min 37sec. 35.219 km/hr
2. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
3. Franco Pellizotti (Alessio) @ 4sec
4. Fernando Escartin (Coast) s.t.
5. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) s.t.
6. Andrea Noè (Mapei) s.t.
7. Joaquim Castelblanco (Selle Italia) s.t.
8. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
9. Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) s.t.
10. Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) s.t.

GC after Stage 11:

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 52hr 54min 27sec
2. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 2min 58sec
3. Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) @ 3min 15sec
4. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 3min 43sec
5. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 3min 43sec
6. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 3min 46sec
7. Yaroslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) @ 3min 50sec
8. Wladimir belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 3min 55sec
9. Aitor Gonzalez-Jimenez (Kelme) @ 3min 58sec
10. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 4min 4sec
11. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 4min 4sec
14. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 4min 26sec

Live updates:

Weather for stage 11: here's what La Gazzetta Dello Sport says: "The heat is heavy, with a lot of humidity, but the sky is cloudy."

4K to go: Verbrugghe back in the pack. the two Latinos are battling off the front. Simoni takes a hard pull, can see the two off the front and has reduced the field to the best. I think Hepnner is still there. Ausgezeichnet!

6k to go: Breakaways caught. Perez-Cuapio, Castelblanco and Verbrugghe are a little off the front of a hugely reduced pack on the final kms of the climb.

20 km to go: Through Bojano, the lead has dropped to under 4 minutes.

Km 98: The two breakaways have increased thier lead to 8 minutes. Fassa has come to the front of the pack. Is Casagradne trying to set things up for a stage win and a Pink Jersey?

Km 70: Renzo Mazzolei (Colpack) and Steve Zampieri (Tacconi) broke away at km 19 and have a 6min 50sec lead on the pack Neither is a GC threat to Heppner. Telekom is leading the chase.

---

Friday, May 24: Stage 12, Campobasso - Chieti, 200 km.

Ascents:

Valico il Macerone (mt. 787) - Km. 5.7 of climbing - average gradient 6.38%
Roccaraso (mt. 1236) - Km. 8.8 of climbing - average gradient 5.1%

Results: Gilberto Simoni has left the race after his cocaine positive in the Giro del Trentino

1. Denis Lunghi (Colpack) 5hr 38min 19sec. 35.47 km/hr
2. Bert Grabsch (Phonak) @ 36sec
3. Lorenzo Bernucci (Landbouwkrediet) @ 38sec
4. Alessandro Bertolini (Alessio) @ 54sec
5. Matthias Buxhofer (Phonak) s.t.
6. Peter Wrolich (Gerolsteiner) @ 3min 43sec
7. Mykhaylo Khalilov (Selle Italia) @ 7min 47sec
8. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre) s.t.
9. Alexandre Moos (Phonak) s.t.
10. Jon Freddy Garcia (Selle Italia) s.t.

GC after Stage 12:

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 58hr 40min 30sec
2. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 2min 58sec
3. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 3min 43sec
4. Pietro Caucchioli @ 3min43sec
5. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 3min 46sec
6. Yaroslav Popovych (Landbouwkrediet) @ 3min 50sec
7. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 3min 55sec
8. Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) @ 3min 58sec
9. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 4min
10. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 4min 3sec
11. Franco Pellizotti (Alessio) @ 4min 17sec
12. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 4min 22sec
13. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 4min 26sec

Mountains leader: Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo)
Points leader: Massimo Strazzer (Phonak)
Intergiro leader: Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) Cmbativity leader: Massimo Strazzer (Phonak)
Team Classification: Alessio

Live updates:

The gap between Lunghi and the pack is approaching 5 minutes.

On the first of two wet finishing circuits of Chieti: Denis lunghi alone, @ 40 sec Bertolini, Bernucci, Buxhofer, Grabsch. A very reduced field follows at about a minute.

60 km to go. It's raining and 60F. 6 riders are off the front: Bertolini, Buxhofer, Grabsch, Bernucci, Wrolich and Denis Lunghi with a lead of about 4 minutes.

Stage 12, Km 95: Intergiro sprint: 1st Michael Boogerd, 2nd Dario Frigo, 3rd Khalilov.

2nd GPM climb: Castelblbanco, 2nd Munoz, 3rd Ramirez Calderon.

1st GPM climb: Marzoli,2nd Castelblanco, 3rd Perales.

A lot of racers have quit the race today. There is Simoni's withdrawal, of course. Also Mercatone Uno pulled Sgambelluri after his test showed NESD (the new EPO). Ivan Quaranta called it quits as did Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and Van Dijk (Lotto).

---

Saturday, May 25: Stage 13, Chieti - San Giacomo (Monti della Laga), 190 km.

Ascents:
Km 121: Pagliaroli (mt. 980), Km. 14.2 of climbing, average gradient 4.8%
Km 151: Ceppo, 1,334 meter, 7.3 km of climbing, 4.44%.
Km 190: San Giacomo, 7.3 km of climbing, 4.44%

Results:

1. Julio Perez Cuapio (Panraia) 5hr 4min 2sec
2. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 13sec
3. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 17sec
4. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 19sec
5. Fernando Escartin (Coast) s.t.
6. Franco Pellizzotti (Alesio) s.t.
7. Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) @ 22sec
8. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
9. Ivan Gotti (Alessio) @ 22sec
10. Aitor Gonzalez-Jimenez (Kelme) s.t.
11. Juan Garate (Lampre) s.t.
12. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 31sec
13. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) s.t.
14. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) s.t.
15. Pavel Tonkov (Lampre)@ 41sec
16. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) s.t.

GC after stage 13:

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 63hr 46min 1sec
2. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1min 48sec
3. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 2min 36sec
4. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 2min 37sec
5. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 2min 39sec
6. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 2min 44sec
7. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 2min 45sec
8. Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez @ 2min 51sec
9. Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) @ 3min 7sec
10. Franco Pellizotti (Alessio) @ 3min 38sec
11. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 3min 38sec

Mountains Leader: Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo)
Points Leader: Massimo Strazzer (Phonak)
Team GC leader: Alessio

Live updates:

9Km to go, on the final climb: Lotz is still alone with something like 3 minutes and shrinking. Behind him are Kessler, Piccoli strung out and slightly in front of the field. Rasmussen had been chasing Lotz but actually got off his bike with what looks like leg cramps.

36 Km to go. Lotz took the GPM climb at Ceppo, Castelblanco 2nd at 2min 20sec, 3rd Casagrande.

50 Km to go: Lotz is still away and on the climb to Ceppo. At 6min 45sec behind him are seven riders: De Paoli, Cioni, De Los Angeles, Munoz, Mazzoleni, La Verde, Moreni. A fast moving, motivated pack. Did Frigo send Eddy Mazzoleni up ahead for a big move? CSC-Tiscali riders have been leading the pack's chase. Tyler Hamilton must be feeling good today.

Stage 13, Km 100: Mark Lotz has passed the Intergiro point with a lead of about 9min 35sec. 160 riders started today. Giro management has recalculated the Mountains jersey points and awarded it to Casagrande. After Friday's stage, they had given it to Castelblanco of Selle Italia.

---

Sunday, May 26: Stage 14, Numana 30.3 km Individual Time Trial.

Results for Stage 14:

1. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) 41min 21sec. 53.97 km/hr
2. Sergei Honchar (Fassa Bortolo) @ 31sec
3. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 41sec
4. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 53sec
5. Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Kelme) @ 56sec
6. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) s.t.
7. Dario Cioni (Mapei) @ 1min 2sec
8. Juan Mmanuel Garate (Lampre) @ 1min 8sec
9. Georg Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
10. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 1min 16sec
11. Oscar Pereiro (Phonak) @ 1min 25sec
12. Vladimir Duma (Panaria) @ 1min 34sec
13. Andrea Noè (Mapei-Quick Step) s.t.
14. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 1min 36sec

GC After Stage 14:

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 64hr 29min 54sec
2. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 48sec
3. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 1min 6sec
4. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1min 7sec
5. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 1min 11sec
6. Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Kelme) @ 1min 15sec
7. Pietro Caucchioli (Alesso) @ 1min 26sec
8. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 1min 40sec
9. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 1min 49sec
10. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 2min 13sec

---

27 MONDAY: REST DAY

---

Tuesday, May 28: NEWS Francesco Casagrande has been tossed from the Giro. On Today's GPM climb, Casagrande was ruled to have forced John Freddy Garcia (Selle Italia) into the barriers, causing a bad crash. Garcia required 30 stitches and is out of the race. The race jury's decision was unanimous.

Tuesday, May 28: Celestino Vercelli, 5-time Giro and 2-time Tour finisher and owner of Vittoria Shoes sent me his thoughts about the Giro:

"We are now in the last week of the Giro, the decisive stage for determining the victor. We await two very hard consecutive stages on the big Dolomite slopes followed by the truth of the individual time trial.

If the old continent has been the cradle of cycling, with its legendary champions, now the USA can boast another great champion in addition to Armstrong... Hamilton, in fact, is proving to be a great rider, strong in both the chrono and the climbs. Perhaps victory in the Giro will go to him along with an equal chance to Dario Frigo.

Frigo, if we think of his disqualifiacation and all that he suffered during the eight months without racing, is showing all of his character and determination. We don't wish to take anything away from the other favorites, Casagrande and Evans. Evans is a big surprise. His recent passage from MTN to road, considering that he is not accustomed to stage races, is runnning very well.

A great future awaits him.

We wait for the best.

Saluti,
Celestino."

---

Tuesday, May 28: Stage 15, Terme Euganee - Conegliano, 156 km.

Ascent: Castelnuovo

Results:

1. Mario Cipollini (Acqua Sapone) 3hr 42min 49sec. 42.0 km/hr
2. Isaac Galvez Lopez (Kelme) s.t.
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
4. Steven De Jongh (Rabobank) s.t.
5. Zoran Klemencik (Tacconi) s.t.
6. René Haselbacher (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
7. Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) s.t.
8. Christophe Detilloux (Lotto) s.t.
9. Igor Astarloa (Saeco) s.t.
10. Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) s.t.

GC after Stage 15

1. Jens Heppner (Telekom) 68hr 12min 43sec
2. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 48sec
3. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 1min 6sec
4. Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1min 7sec
5. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 1min 11sec
6. Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Kelme) @ 1min 15sec
7. Pietro Caucchioli (Alesso) @ 1min 26sec
8. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 1min 40sec
9. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 1min 49sec
10. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 2min 13sec

---

Wednesday, May 29: Stage 16, Conegliano - Corvara in Badia, 163 really tough kilometers.

Ascents:

Forcella Staulanza (mt. 1773) - 12.9 Km of climbing - average gradient 6.50% Passo di Fedaia (mt. 2057) - 13.7 Km of climbing - average gradient 7.7% Passo di Pordoi (mt. 2239) - 12.1 Km of climbing - average gradient 6.4%
Passo di Campolongo (mt. 1875) - 4 Km of climbing - average gradient 4 %

Results:

1. Julio Perez Cuapio (Panaria) 4hr 54min 54sec
2. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 53sec
3. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 55sec
4. Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) s.t.
5. Aitor Gonzalez Jeminez (Kelme) s.t.
6. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 58sec
7. Cadel Evans (Mapei) s.t.
8. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
9. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) @ 2min 9sec
10. Oscar Pereiro (Phonak) @ 2min 10sec

GC after Stage 16:

1. Cadel Evans (Mapei) 73hr 9min 16sec
2. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 16sec
3. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 18sec
4. Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Kelme) @ 24sec
5. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 32sec
6. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 48sec
7. Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) @ 1min 26sec
8. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 2min 9sec
9. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 2min 21sec
10. Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) @ 4min 26sec
11. Andrea Noé (Mapei-Quick Step) @ 5min 4sec
12. Jens Heppner (Telekom) @ 5min 6sec

Live updates:

Over the Pordoi: Perez-Cuapio, Caucchioli trying to steal the Pink at about a minute+. Then a small group with Frigo leading including Savoldelli and Evans. Hamilton is just a bit back.

Over the Fedaia: 1st was lone breakaway Daniele De Paoli, followed by a screamingly fast Perez-Caupio, then Christian Moreni. Frigo leads thre GC contenders a bit back; Evans (who tried to match Perez-Cuapio's attack but went back to the group), Savoldelli, Caucchioli, Tonkov. Hamilton is probably a minute back.

Wladimir Belli did not start the stage because of bronchitis. The sky is cloudy. It is 14C.

---

THURSDAY, May 30: Stage 17, CORVARA IN BADIA - FOLGARIA, 222 Km. Hill top finish.

Here are the major climbs:

Passo Gardena (mt. 2121) - 9.5 Km of climbing - average gradient 5.96%

Passo Sella (mt. 2213) - 5.3 Km of climbing - average gradient 8.17%

Santa Barbara (mt. 1165) - 13 Km of climbing - average gradient 8.29%

Passo Bordala (mt. 1253)

Folgaria (mt. 1340) - 14.8 Km of climbing - average gradient 7.79%

Results:

1. Pavel Tonkov (Lampre) 7hr 24min 57sec
2. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 2min 10sec
3. Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) @ 3min 8sec
4. Georg Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) @ 3min 14sec
5. Denis Lunghi (Colpack) s.t.
6. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) s.t.
7. Hernan Dario Munoz (Selle Italia) @ 3min 21sec
8. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 4min 1sec
9. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) s.t.
10. Addy Engels (Rabobank) @ 4min 14sec
33. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 12min 16sec
41. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 17min 11sec

GC after Stage 17:

1. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) 80hr 37min 11sec
2. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 55sec
3. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 1min 28sec
4. Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) @ 1min 39sec
5. Pavel Tonkov (Lampre) @ 3min 8sec
6. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 3min 19sec
7. Georg Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) @ 5min 32s
8. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 7min 54sec
9. Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) @ 8min 12sec
10. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @9min 41sec
15. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 14min 20sec

Live updates:

Upper Folagaria climb: Cadel Evans hesitates a bit on Noe's wheel, Hamilton attacks. Evans has now cracked. A group of 5 or 6 has formed and Savoldelli has taken off. Hamilton cannot respond and rides with a Totschnig led group, minimizing his losses.

On the climb to Folgaria: Frigo has been dropped. Mazzoleni has gone back to help him. Tonkov has dropped PErez Cuapio by 20 seconds.

Km 181, over the top of the Bordala: Perez-Cuapio takes the GPM with Tonkov right with him. The pack follows at 1min 57sec. It's all going to happen on the climb to the finish at Folgaria.

Over the top of the Santa Barbara: Tonkov and Perez-Cuapio are riding together with a lead of about 1min 23sec. Perez-Cuapio takes the summit without a contest from Tonkov. The three GC leaders are comfortably riding at the front of what remains of the peloton with Mapei's Dario Cioni doing the pacemaking.

Stage 17: On the Santa Barbara climb: They rolled up to it with speed. Frigo's Tacconi boys did some work at the front. The GC contenders know they have to put some real time between Hamilton and themselves before the last Time Trial. The sparks are flying with Perez-Cuapio and some Colombians doing some testing and getting reeled in.

---

Friday, May 31: Stage 18, Rovereto - Brescia, 143 km.

Paolo Savoldelli in pink

Ascent: Molina de Ledro

Results:

1. Mario Cipollini, #5 for this Giro. 4hr 12min 44sec. 34.43 km/hr
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
3. Rene Hasselbacher (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
4. Lars Michaelsen (Coast) s.t.
5. Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) s.t.
6. Mariano Piccoli (Lampre) s.t.
7. Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) s.t.
8. Aart Vierhouten (Lotto-Adecco) s.t.
9. Mauro Gerosa (Tacconi Sport) s.t.
10. Biagio Conte (Saeco) s.t.

GC after Stage 18:

1. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) 84hr 49min 55sec
2. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 55sec
3. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 1min 28sec
4. Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) @ 1min 39sec
5. Pavel Tonkov (Lampre) @ 3min 8sec
6. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 3min 19sec
7. Georg Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) @ 5min 32sec
8. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 7min 54sec
9. Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) @ 8min 12sec
10. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @9min 41sec

Sprinter's Jersey: Mario Cipollini, but it's very close between SuperMario and Strazzer.

Climber's Jersey: Julio Perez Cuapio. He has this sewn up. There are not enough points available in the last 2 stages to take it from him.

The man who wore the Pink Jersey for so long, Jens Heppner of Telekom did not start today's stage.

---

Saturday, June 1: Stage 19, Cambiago - Monticello Brianza, 44.3 km Individual Time Trial.

Results:

1. Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) 55min 56sec. 47.52 km/hr
2. Serguie Gontchar @ 44sec
3. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) @ 1min 17sec
4. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 1min 31sec
5. Bert Grabsch (Phonak) @ 2min 22sec
6. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 2min 35sec
7. Georg Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) @ 2min 47sec
8. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 2min 48sec
9. Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) @ 2min 53sec
10. Daniele Nardello (Mapei) @ 3min 14sec
11. Cadel Evans (Mapei) @ 3min 23sec

GC after Stage 19:

1. Paolo Savoldelli (Alexia) 85hr 47min 9sec
2. Tyler Hamilton (CSC Tiscali) @ 1min 41sec
3. Pietro Caucchioli (Alessio) @ 2min 12sec
4. Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) @ 3min 14sec
5. Pavel Tonkov (LAmpre) @ 5min 34sec
6. Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) @ 6min 54sec
7. Georg Totschnig (Gerolsteiner) @ 7min 2sec
8. Fernando Escartin (Coast) @ 7min 7sec
9. Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) @ 9min 24sec
10. Dario Frigo (Tacconi) @ 11min 50sec

Mountains leader: Julio Perez-Cuapio (Panaria)
Points leader: Mario Cipollini (Acqua Sapone) 159 points. 2nd is Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) @ 158 points.
Intergiro: Massimo Strazzer (Phonak)
Team: Alessio

Here's how La Gazzetta Dello Sport described the course: "The 42 kilometres and 900 metres after the start in Cambiago are flat almost until Missaglia, at 35 km, then the road begins to rise and the last 5 km boast two bits measuring an incline of 5% to 6% and a series of curves concentrated most of all in the residential centre of Monticello Brianza, which could be good for Savoldelli, who knows how to get the right trajectory and make his move".

If you were to look at a map of the big urban spider of Milan, the course starts at about the 2:00 position. If you look at the course map below, just slightly to the west of the start is the little town of Concorezzo, home of Mondonico. The finish, Monticello Brianza, sits almost due north of the Monza Speedway.

---

Sunday, June 2: 20th and Final stage, Cantu - Milano, 141 km.

The jersey winners on their way to Milan. From left: Massimo Strazzer, Julio Perez-Cuapio, Mario Cipollini and Paolo Savoldelli

Results:

1. Mario Cipollini (Acqua & Sapone), Stage win #6 for this Giro and #40 for his career, 1 short of the great Binda. 3hr 35min 29sec. 39.54 km/hr
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) s.t.
3. Rene Hasselbacher (Gerolsteiner) s.t.
4. Isaac Galvez Lopez (Kelme) s.t.
5. Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) s.t.
6. Steven de Jongh (Rabobank) s.t.
7. Lars Michaelsen (Coast) s.t.
8. Aart Vierhouten (Lotto-Adecco) s.t.
9. Cristian Moreni (Alessio) s.t.
10. Angelo Furlan (Alessio) s.t.

2002 Giro d'Italia Complete Final General Classification

---

Monday, May 6. Today's La Gazzetta dello Sport had a short article about Saturday's start to the Giro. Here is a very loose translation of the first paragraphs.

"The Giro starts Saturday without any clear masters

20 stages and one prologue, 3 hilltop finishes, 2 time trials: these are the principal characteristics of a race that still remains uncertain.

Almost the same number of kilometers as last year, 3,334 versus 3,364, but 18 more in time-trials. 7 stages out of 20 total in the high and medium mountains, one less in respect to 2001 and 3 less compared to 2000, but with the same number of hill-top finishes, 3, and more meters in climbing, 18,200 meters compared to 17,223 of last season's race. 2 rest days instead of the 1 that characterized the last 2 Giros.

Here are the statistics of the 2002 Giro, running from May 11 to June 2. The departure is in Groeningen, Holland, in honor of the Unified Europe and its unified currency, with the customary arrival in Milan, the home of La Gazzetta dello Sport that has organized the Giro for 85 years. 20 stages plus a prologue time trial are designed to balance the flat and mountain stages, and offer all of the passionate fans as much emotion as possible. The whole point is to, at least on paper, for as long as possible thoughout the three weeks of the race, maintain the uncertainty and the possible upset in classification."

---

March 31: Here are the teams of 9 riders each entering the Giro. I will note their principal contenders as the teams make their plans known. Teams with an * are wild cards. I last updated this list on the evening of May 8:

Alessio: Gotti, Zanetti

Alexia* Savoldelli, Quaranta, Hamburger

Aqua Sapone*: Cipollini, Lombardi

Coast*: Escartin, Beltran, Guidi, Hoj (No Zulle) Some lists have Casero, but he has a bum knee.

Colpack*: Lunghi

CSC-Tiscali: Hamilton, Sastre

Fassa Bortolo: Casagrande, Belli, Bartoli, Honchar, Petacchi, Konyshev, Zanette. If Casagrande doesn't win it, it's not because he has a weak team.

Gerolsteiner*: Rebellin, Ruskys, Totschnig

Kelme: Vicioso

Lampre: Tonkov, Sciandri, Missaglia

Landbouwkrediet*: Sorensen, Popyvich

Lotto: Verbrugghe, McEwen, Van de Wouwer

Mapei: Garzelli, Bettini, Evans, Noe, Nardello, Hunter

Mercatone Uno*: Pantani

Mobilvetta-Formaggi Trentini*: Di Biase

Panaria: Perez-Cuapio. Figueras is out with a suspension.

Phonak*: Strazzer, Moos

Rabobank: Boogerd, De Jongh

Saeco*: Simoni, Sacchi.

Selle Italia*: Fredy Gonzalez, Hernan Dario Munoz

Tacconi: Frigo, Mazzoleni, Zampieri

Telekom: Hondo, Hundertmark, Kessler, Hepner

---

Predictions

I've asked some of my knowledgable friends to give me their predictions for the Giro.

Felice Gimondi, Tour de France and Giro D'Italia winner:

Pink Jersey: 1st Simoni, 2nd Frigo, 3rd Garzelli, 4th Casagrade

Sprinter's Jersey: 1st Cipollini, 2nd Lombardi, 3rd Hondo, 4th Fagnini

Climber's Jersey: 1st Perez-Cuapio, 2nd Fredy Gonzalez, 3rd Escartin

Franco Bitossi, one of the very greatest Italian racers from the 60's and 70's:

Pink Jersey: 1st Dario Frigo, 2nd Garzelli, 3rd Casagrande. Signor Bitossi leaves a question mark by Marco Pantani. The Pirate may do something.

Sprinter's Jersey: Cipollini

Climber's Jersey: 1st Fredy Gonzalez, 2nd Perez-Cuapio

Celestino Vercelli, 5-time finsher of the Giro, 2-time finisher of the Tour and owner of Vittoria Shoes

We are now at the 85th Giro! It is the most important cycling race after the Tour. It is so important that the winners become popular and famous.

This year, as a symbol of the United Europe, the Giro will arrive in Italy after having been in Holland, Germany, Luxembourg and France. All Europeans are involved in the passion for cycling and the Giro.

In my opinion there are 4 racers who start rating high in the predictions: Casagrande, Simoni, Garzelli and Frigo.

Personally, I think the course is more suited to Frigo, one of the best in the time-trials. Let us not forget, by the way, Tyler Hamilton, who is a good climber and time trialist.

And the pirate Pantani is a question mark. There are too many pressures from the judging public. Will he be able to react and have a good Giro? I'll wish it to him.

The war on doping seems to have borne good fruit, but this topic is much too complicated. In any case, it is right that the winner will be the strongest and not the most cunning. I am bitter about how some situations have turned out. Those who have paid, became the bad guys. The rest have remained "clean" (we do not know how much in reality). Justice is not of this world.

In any case, I wish the winner will be a great rider and the strongest of this moment.

Paolo Guerciotti, former Champion of Italy and owner of Guerccioti Bicycles (and all-around good-guy):

Pink Jersey: 1st Dario Frigo. He is very motivated and has great form. 2nd Garzelli. He has shown great strength since Liege-Bastogne-Liege. 3rd Casagrande.

Sprinter's Jersey: 1st Cipollini, 2nd Hondo, 3rd Quaranta

Climber's Jersey: 1st Fredy Gonzalez, 2nd Perez-Cuapio, 3rd Simoni

Antonio Mondonico:
Pink jersey: Casagrande
2nd Simoni
3rd Garzelli
Green climber's jersey: Perez Cuapio
Ciclamino Sprinters jersey: Cipollini

Gordon McCauley, New Zealand Pro Road Champion, rides for RDM-Flanders. Gordon had a chance to size up most of the Giro contenders while racing the Giro del Trentino. His predictions:

Pink Jersey: Francesco Casagrande
Climber: Julio-Perez-Cuapio
Sprinter: Robbie McEwen

Owen Mulholland, Racing Expert Extraodinaire:
1 - Francesco Casagrande: He has thus far shown extraordinary creativity in how to lose the Giro, but, all kidding aside, these years of frustration have only made him hungrier than ever. Francesco knows it's now or never, he has experience in inexhaustible supply, he has the best team with the best directeur sportif, and his Trentino win shows he's brought himself to top form at just the right time.
2 - Stefano Garzelli: If I weren't so sentimental and just looked at the facts, I'd have to pick Garzelli to win. It's hard to imagine Garzelli actually getting dropped by Casagrande, and that's what will have to happen in order for Garzelli to lose the Giro, because Garzelli is way better in the time trials.
3 - Tyler Hamilton: Obviously, another sentimental choice. Talk about a wild card. Tyler has had all sorts of ups and downs in his career, and none as a team leader, so it's hard to say how he will perform. But he can be a great climber, and if he gets it right he should be the best time trialist in the race. Can he avoid off days, crashes and other misfortunes, hold form for 3 weeks, and ride with the inspiration of the Italians? These are big caveats, but as someone who has followed his racing days since he rode at Nevada City, I believe there is real greatness in this man. This is the first chance for him to turn the spotlight on himself and I don't think he'll miss the opportunity. And beyond himself, because he can be amazingly self-effacing at times, I think he has that deep Puritan New England sense of responsibility. Knowing his team is relying on him will motivate him even more than personal desires.
4 - Gilberto Simoni: Undoubtedly, Simoni is a pretty good climber, but no better than Garzelli and Casagrande and Hamilton. Last year he won over rather modest opposition. This year he'll be really pressed. I don't see him winning in the mountains, but I do see him losing big in the time trials, notwithstanding all his winter wind tunnel training.
So Bill, am I crazy or what?

Chairman Bill:

Pink Jersey: 1st Frigo, 2nd Garzelli, 3rd Simoni

I think it will be a dead heat between Dario Frigo and Stefano Garzelli. Both are in superb shape and time-trial well. Both ride in a heads-up manner that reduces misfortune. Both have won big races against stellar fields. Simoni's Giro win last year was against a field reduced by crashes, dope raids and even a fight with the tifosi. But, he is also in fine shape, so I think he will do well. I just don't think he can beat a Frigo seeking redemption who has just won Romandie and a Garzelli who races intelligently and has a lot of team muscle riding for him. Garzelli is patient, a real virtue in a 3 week race. I think both Frigo and Garzelli can out-crono Simoni. Casagrande is a problem for me. He is so strong, but he's never is able to quite put it together for a Grand Tour. After a while, it's not external circumstances, it's a failure to ride races in such a way as to avoid exhaustion (2000), crashes, etc. It takes head and legs.

Climber's jersey: Simoni, 2nd Perez Cuapio

Sprinter's jersey: Who else but Cipollini?

.