Giro d’Italia: On the scene at Passo dello Stelvio

On Tuesday, I spent a long but brilliant day at Passo dello Stelvio/Umbrail Pass, savoring the rare opportunity to see the Giro peloton cover two mountain passes only three kilometers apart.

It was a hectic scene at Passo dello Stelvio, with seemingly thousands of tifosi having made their way up to the pass by bike, bus, or campervan.

I walked up to have a look at the famous hairpinned descent route, but decided that the small barricaded area near the KOM point would be a better spot for unobstructed photos.

Breakaway riders were still in front as they topped the Stelvio, with Mikel Landa taking the Cima Coppi prize.

As i big crested the pass, Pozzovivo kicked it old style by grabbing a newspaper from a soigneur while others zipped up jackets and vests.

After many of the other sprinters have headed home, the impressive Fernando Gaviria appears determined to carry the maglia ciclamino all the way to Milano.

Next stop, Switzerland, where Quintana and Nibali were second and third over Umbrail Pass.