Giro d'Italia: On the Scene in Saltara for Stage 8

At Saturday's stage finish, poster displays celebrated Saltara's place in the history of Italian cycling.

When the sun was out, Saltara provided a scenic backdrop for the stage drama.

Italian crono champion Dario Cataldo, who's been ill for most of the Giro, had a strong ride to finish 30th on the stage, then grabbed a barricade just after the finish line and hung on for dear life.

Alex Dowsett set the best time early in the afternoon, then waited three hours to find out he'd won the stage.

Killer bee!

A rain-drenched Bradley Wiggins finished second on the stage to move up to fourth on GC.

Rigoberto Uran Uran:

Rafal Majka had obviously left everything on the battlefield in his unsuccessful quest to hang onto the maglia bianca.

Erstwhile maglia rosa Luca Paolini rocked a red and black ensemble for the ride back down to the team bus.

Robert Gesink looked like he was smiling just after crossing the finish line, but I'm guessing it wasn't really a smile.

Cadel Evans:

Ryder Hesjedal:

Vincenzo Nibali takes the maglia rosa:

There's a little bit of Minnesota in the Giro podium ceremony every day, courtesy of my high school classmate, Prince (but really, shouldn't it be Little Red Corvette?)