Giro d'Italia: On the Scene for Stages 10 and 11

It was a beautiful afternoon in Sestola for stage 10, and we got to see the race twice, as first the breakaway, including eventual stage winner Giulio Ciccone, and then the Astana-led peloton did a first pass through the town with 20 kilometers still to race.

Just after crossing the finish line, Ciccone, in tears, embraced a team soigneur and happy bike sponsor Mario Cipollini.

Uran and Henao grabbed some drinks as they made their way through the hectic finish area.

Cunego did enough on the climbs to regain the mountains jersey.

After a few minutes' recovery, Chaves was back to his usual, smiley self.

Instead of watching the flat finish of stage 11, a couple of friends and I walked up the hill to the lovely town of Asolo, which the race passed through with about three kilometers left to go.  We checked out the top of the scenic climb into the town, but decided the atmosphere was even better on the steep little cobbled climb into the town center, where the tifosi lined the narrow street and filled every available doorway and window.

We didn't know what had been going on in the race, so it was surprising, and thrilling, to see Jungels, in the maglia rosa, leading the breakaway trio.

That trio also contained Ulissi, who went on to win the stage.

The big GC favorites were not far behind.

The crowd continued to cheer on each rider who appeared.  When Pozzato and Greipel appeared at the head of one group, the tifosi started chanting "Pip-po, Pip-po!"