Giro d'Italia, On the Scene at Stage Eight
Today in Bergamo, I decided to watch the race out on the road, rather than stay in the finish area. In my morning scouting trip, I found a good spot near the top of the steep climb into Bergamo Alta, about 4 kilometers from the finish. I timed how long it would take me to walk from there to the funicular that goes down to the Citta Bassa, where the stage headquarters was, and then to go down on the funicular, and walk to the stage headquarters, and I figured that if there wasn't a long line for the funicular, I could make it down in time for the press conference. It worked perfectly!
More on the flip...
I got to my chosen spot about an hour before the race came through, and had a lot of fun during the wait. A group of guys just above us on the road, apparently thinking that Cipollini might be in one of the race organization cars coming past, started shouting "Mario! Dai, Mario!" at every car. Others got into the act, and before long whenever any sort of vehicle came by, police car, van selling souvenir T-shirts, or whatever, everyone on the road was calling out, "Mario! Mario! Dai, dai, Mario!" and peering into the windows to look for Cipo. The road was very narrow, so the cars were crawling through the crowd, giving us all plenty of time to scan each car for signs of Cipo, who (for once) was nowhere to found.
I didn't get any really good pictures, but here are the few that were the best of the bunch.
Horner and Pellizotti
Basso
Menchov and Armstrong
And here are a few from the press conference, which was held in the Bergamo City Council chambers.
When Sivtsov was asked who was the captain of Columbia-High Road, he answered, "Tutti" (everyone).
-- Susie Hartigan for Podium Cafe
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I like the last pic
with Girbecco on DiLuca’s shoulder – it’s almost like Girbecco is staring at him :)
speaking of the jersey,
it was announced at the press conference that Esta The, the sponsor of the maglia rosa, has decided that for the rest of the Giro, one of the Esta The logos on the jersey will be replaced with “Aiutiamo Abruzzo” (let’s help Abruzzo), signifying the earthquake relief effort. This drew a round of applause from the assembled press.
by Susie Hartigan on May 16, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Marco Pinotti was a bit more precise on the Columbia hierarchy
We have Rogers and Lovkvist for the GC, Cavendish for the sprints, and six helpers.
A tad modest
considering Boasson Hagen’s form and the likelihood that the points title won’t go to a pure sprinter, least of all Cavendish.
Abruzziamo!
by Chris Fontecchio on May 16, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
well done again
I think it’s always extra fun to watch atop a hill with a huge crowd
formerly known as cyclingchallenge
Totally agree
The waiting is more fun and the race goes by at a reasonable enough pace so you can tell who’s who. Nice work Tifosa. Tomorrow is going to be another great day as well.
More Muur...
The more i see that Columbia jersey... the more i like it.......
Great photos.. I want your job.
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
Love the pics Tifosa!
Not sure much can beat being out there in the crowds on a good climb. :-) Still have many hours of recorded Giro to catch up on. Thank goodness for dvr’s. :-)
I love C, not because he rocks as a cyclist, but because deep down he's a band geek! LOL!















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