Giro d'Italia: pre-race fun in Sanremo

The Giro doesn't start for another few hours, but the pre-race fun has already commenced here in Sanremo.

I don't have my bike here, so yesterday I hopped on this hotel rental, threw my camera bag in the basket, and headed out to check out the ttt course, a bike trail along the Ligurian coast.

I saw several teams training on the course, including Tinkoff-Saxo.

In the afternoon, there were a bunch of press conferences featuring various bigs, but let's be real.  There was only one presser that mattered.

Tommeke!

After the press conferences, it was off to the Sanremo Casino for the teams presentation.  The presentation ceremony was inside the casino, but it was such a beautiful afternoon that I decided to stay outside and see the teams as they climbed the "pink carpet" up to the building.

Several of the riders took selfies as they climbed the pink stairs.

Strange to see Cunego in orange instead of fuchsia.

BMC opted for orange shoes with their red kit, maximizing their clashing potential on the pink carpet.

Andre Greipel, the only supersprinter in this Giro, looked ready to rumble.

Contador and Basso stopped to sign a few autographs as they made their way up the stairs.

Walking in with Astana, Vino looked sharp in a grey suit and pink shirt, but I'd been hoping for the Vino4ever kit.

Ag2r selfie

Betancur

Men in Black

Uran and Boonen looked chummy as they walked up together.

Bernie!

Already thinking like a team leader, Richie Porte sheltered behind Nieve on the climb.