Video: Giro d'Italia stage 4 clips
A pair of video clips from today's fourth stage, which was run off in memory of Wouter WeylandtNote: due to geo-restrictions, readers outside the US might not be able to view these videos.
Video: peloton pays tribute to Wouter Weylandt
Images from this morning's start in GenovaThe tragic passing of Wouter Weylandt was on everyone's mind at this morning's start in Genova, and no more so than the riders themselves. Be they team-mates, friends or simply working companions, everyone was in a sombre, reflective mood. They and the race organisers paid a fitting tribute, holding several minutes of respectiful silence, applauding his memory, and then remaining quiet once again when his Leopard Trek team rolled to the front. A band played a slow tune, causing emotions to well up further, then the riders moved off for a long, slow day in the saddle. Below are some images from what was a sad day at the Giro d'Italia, but one which also showed a real display of rider solidarity and support.
Video: Sastre targeting stage win in Giro d’Italia
Spaniard loses time due to crash and mechanical issuesYesterday’s stage was a frustrating one for Carlos Sastre, who finished a distant 117th into Rapallo after crashing on a descent and suffering mechanical problems. The Spaniard broke both wheels in his fall and while he received a bike from his team-mate Mauricio Ardila, the height difference between the two made chasing very difficult. “In the final part of the race, with just ten kilometres left before the finish line, my team mate Ardila gave me his bike, which meant that I was able to finish the stage losing as little time as possible,” he said. “His bike is a lot smaller than mine and I did the last six kilometres practically standing, I could hardly sit down as we are different heights and I really had to give it my all to complete the last six kilometres without losing too much [...]
Video: Menchov satisfied with form, pleased with Giro route
Russian rider aiming to repeat two year cycle of Grand Tour winsAlberto Contador went into this Giro d’Italia as the clear favourite for the overall victory. His record of three Tours, one Vuelta and one Giro title is unmatched by the others in the peloton. Denis Menchov is however another with a very strong record in Grand Tours, having won the Giro d’Italia two years ago, and taken the Vuelta a España in 2005 and 2007. He’s had a record of taking a three week race every two years and if history follows that pattern, he’s due to take either the Giro or Vuelta this year. Both races are of major importance to his Geox – TMC team, given that it wasn’t invited to the Tour de France. It had been pushing for a ProTeam licence but the UCI’s complex system of team rankings left it in a difficult position, [...]
Video: McEwen ambitious for stage win and Maglia Rosa
Says he isn’t yet in top form, but going well anywayWith twelve stage wins to his credit, Robbie McEwen has some of the best results of those competing in this year’s Giro d’Italia. The Australian RadioShack rider was in a good mood this morning, enjoying the sun at the start in Alba, and also looking forward to the chance to grab another stage victory. He was first home of his team in yesterday’s team time trial and had they not been beaten by HTC Highroad, he would have been in the Maglia Rosa today. “Yesterday was a really good result for the team. We are very pleased with how we went…second at ten seconds is really great,” he told VeloNation, queuing in the line of riders waiting to sign on. “[As regards] crossing the line first…we didn’t have a plan as to who was going to cross the line first, [...]
Video: Piva says HTC Highroad will help Cavendish to win stage and take Maglia Rosa
Directeur sportif talks about HTC Highroad’s ambitions in the raceAfter Marco Pinotti led the HTC Highroad team across the finish line yesterday, his team is hoping to chase more success today. All going to plan, Mark Cavendish will win the stage to Parma and inherit the pink jersey. “We have a sprint and normally we can switch the jersey if Mark wins the stage,” directeur sportif Valerio Piva told VeloNation prior to the start of the team time trial, speaking about what would happen if Pinotti is in pink. “That is the nice dream that we have, but of course we have to finish [first] today.” Piva was delighted with how things worked out yesterday and, like Pinotti, Cavendish and the others, was smiling for a long time after the finish. He and they will remain hungry, though, and chase success in the days ahead. “Mark has a chance in [...]