Tag Archive for ‘Giro d’Italia 2009’
Giro d’Italia – Day 8: Stage 21, Roma (0)
“Super Grinta,” Denis, Roma and Ignatas Konovalovas. That was what the Gazzetta said about Danilo after the Vesuvio stage; “grinta” is the quality of physical and mental toughness that the true greats have – “Super Grinta” – great expression.
And now it’s 09:55, Ciampino Airport, Rome on Monday.
The hire car is gone, we’re in the departure lounge – and it’s all over.
Giro d’Italia – Day 7: Stage 20, Napoli – Anagni (0)
How is it that a country which spawned Campag, Ducati, Ferrari and Armani can’t get the plumbing to work?
Last night’s hotel had the electrical switch for the shower just a couple of inches from the shower head; the difference between being scalded and freezing was two microns on the control.
The people are so friendly here in Naples; the boy in the toll booth last night gave us a row for not having the €1:60 ready – we should have known it was a pre-pay toll. The roads are horrific, a lot of them are concrete, which has split and potholed – dire.
Giro d’Italia – Day 6: Stage 19, Avellino – Vesuvio (0)
It’s 12.25 and we’re headed for a road that the men’s lifestyle and driving mags rave about; The Amalfi Coast.
Amalfi, Porto Fino, Sorrento – playgrounds of the rich and famous.
The stage today is the last big bare knuckle battle; Di Luca’s last chance to unseat Menchov.
Giro d’Italia – Day 5: Stage 18, Sulmona – Benevento (0)
Ciao, ciao ! To go in the “it’s a small world” file – when we left you last night, we’d narrowly escaped running out of gas en route Sulmona.
After a bit of messing around, we found the apartment; who answered the door?
Scott McGrory, former six day star – with 15 wins – and that isn’t easy in ‘the race to nowhere’. He works for Fox Sports TV in Australia now and was sharing our digs.
Giro d’Italia – Day 4: Stage 17, Chieti – Blockhaus (0)
I woke with a start, in the middle of the night, damn! I thought, things I should have mentioned, in the diary – Blockhaus; today’s mega climb, we caught sight of it yesterday morning as we hurtled down the Autostrada.
The computer was reading 30+ degrees, the road was gently rolling along, parallel to the Adriatic and in front of us was this huge mass of snow covered rock – awe inspiring, but with too much heat haze to photograph: we’ll get a close look today.
And I should also have mentioned – Cipo; he strode into the hotel lobby, just off his bike, tall, slim, tanned and looking very fit – I do have concerns however, that he shaves his chest.
Giro d’Italia – Day 3: Rest Day (0)
I just don’t feel right in the mornings ’til I get my Gazzetta. Dave drove past a couple of newsagents this morning, I could see the pink pages, but not get to them – it was terrible!
Dave predicted that Carlos would get 9 out of 10 – he was spot on. Levi got 4 and the man that the Gazzetta loves to hate; Gibo Simoni didn’t even get a mention.
Silvi Marina was the destination; Dave battered the Peugeot down the Autostrada for our rendezvous with Rubens Bertogliati, Ben Swift and Dario Cioni.
Giro d’Italia – Day 2: Stage 16, Pergola – Monte Petrano (0)
La Gazzetta Dello Sport doesn’t like Gibo Simoni, he gets a 3 out of 10 for yesterday’s effort, where he contrived to drop 17:59 on the stage – ouch! Saving it for today? We’ll see.
At 08:00 it’s already 28 degrees! It’s going to be a “Hot one!”
Dave’s at the helm of the Peugeot – we’re following Ale (Pez’s man in Italia) to the start at Pergola – the Stereophonics are telling us to “Have a nice day” and I’ve got my Gazzetta – can’t be bad.
Giro d’Italia – Day 1: Stage 15, Forlì – Faenza (0)
Coming down the stairs at 05:00 am to the find the car had been broken into wasn’t a good start to the day. But that’s life.
The M8, M77, Prestwick, Ryanair and here we are; in the 37 degree heat of Bologna, heading south to Faenza and our credentials.
Getting the ‘creds’ is always a big relief; there’s usually hassle to get them; it’s always nice to feel those bits of plastic around your neck.
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