Giro d'Italia: on the scene at stages 3, 4, and 5

Pink balloons decorated Rapallo's seaside castle in honor of the start of stage three of the Giro.

Tom Boonen and Richie Porte had a chat while awaiting the start.

I found an unintentional selfie when perusing my photos from the stage start.  That's me in the pink pants and green vest, reflected in Ivan Basso's sunglasses.

Bling won the sprint in Sestri Levante, and looked characteristically sparkly on the podium.

Contador rode the finishing circuit through La Spezia in a sea of blue.

Stage winner Davide Formolo, sitting at the grownups' table:

Another youngster, Jan Polanc, wins in Abetone, with i big close behind.

Porte looked happy after the finish.

Damiano Caruso:

Fumiyuki Beppu:

Matteo Montaguti:

Benat Intxausti:

A smiley Contador pulls on his first maglia rosa of this Giro:

Some press conference shots: