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88th Giro d'Italia - PT
Italy, May 7-29, 2005
Photography
Team presentation - Thursday, May 5
Press conference - Friday, May 6
Prologue - May 7 : Reggio Calabria ITT, 1,150 m
Stage 1 - May 8: Reggio Calabria - Tropea, 208 km
Stage 2 - May 9: Catanzaro Lido - S.M. del Cedro, 182 km
Stage 3 - May 10: Diamante - Giffoni Valle Piana, 210 km
Stage 4 - May 11: Giffoni Valle Piana - Frosinone, 220 km
Stage 5 - May 12: Celano - L'Aquila, 223 km
Stage 6 - May 13: Viterbo - Marina Di Grosseto, 153 km
Stage 7 - May 14: Grosseto - Pistoia, 211 km
Stage 8 - May 15: Lamporecchio - Firenze ITT, 45 km
Stage 9 - May 16: Firenze - Ravenna, 139 km
Stage 10 - May 18: Ravenna - Rossano Veneto, 212 km
Stage 11 - May 19: Marostica - Zoldo Alto, 150 km
Stage 12 - May 20: Alleghe - Rovereto, 178 km
Stage 13 - May 21: Mezzocorona - Ortisei, 218 km
Stage 14 - May 22: Egna - Livigno, 210 km
Stage 15 - May 23: Villa di Tirano - Lissone, 154 km
Stage 16 - May 25: Lissone - Varazze, 210 km
Stage 17 - May 26: Varazze - Limone Piemonte (Colle di Tenda),
194 km
Stage 18 - May 27: Chieri - Torino ITT, 34 km
Stage 19 - May 28: Savigliano - Sestriere (Le Valli Olimpiche),
190 km
Stage 20 - May 29: Albese con Cassano - Milano, 119 km
May 29: Paolo Savoldelli celebrates in Bergamo
May 29: Paolo Savoldelli celebrates in Bergamo
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Paolo Savoldelli was greeted by thousands of fans in his home town of Rovetta, Bergamo
- Giro winner Paolo Savoldelli in front of his home crowd
- Paolo Savoldelli with daughter and wife
Stage 20 - May 29: Albese con Cassano - Milano, 119 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins the final stage in Milano
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) gives the V sign as he beats Zabel to win the final stage
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) smiles from the podium
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) kisses the winner's trophy
- Giro winner Paolo Savoldelli salutes from the podium
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) with his winner's trophy
- The final podium (L to R): Gilberto Simoni (2nd), Paolo Savoldelli (1st), and Jose Rujano (3rd)
- The arms go up as AleJet cruises home
- Number four or two 'peace' signs to the rest of us
- Petacchi takes number four with Erik Zabel coasting home in second
- Alright, peace Ale...
- The end of a tough Giro for Mr Petacchi
- No, not two - four wins! Petacchi gets his numbers mixed up
- Alessandro Petacchi is a happy man after taking stage win number four
- Relief for Petacchi
- How you doin' Milan? Alessandro Petacchi thanks his many fans
- And lets rip with the spumante
- The happiest man in Italy Paolo Savoldelli with his winner's trophy
- Savoldelli and the reward for three tough weeks
- You're mine, baby! big kisses for the trophy from Savoldelli
- Tickled pink like a kid in a candy shop
- Yeeah! It's been a long time since the triumph of 2002
- Trophies and kisses... what more could you want?
- Actually, forget the girls I'll just kiss the trophy
- Savoldelli satisfaction
- It's going to get heavy soon for Rujano, the mountain man
- A gallant second for Simoni and the trophy to prove it
- The podium: Simoni (Lampre), Savoldelli (Discovery), Rujano (Selle Italia)
- The Giro's top three pleased to be in Milan
- Paolo Bettini (Quickstep) finished in purple
- Bettini e bambina look satisfied
- Who's your daddy? Jose Rujano took the mountains prize
- Reward for some great climbing for Selle Italia's Jose Rujano
- I might be little, but I get the girls! Joes Rujano looks a happy camper
- Stefano Zanini (Quick.Step) took the Intergiro crown
- Zanini and the boys soak it up in Milan
- Now that's a cool trophy for Ivan Basso, who may well have been on the winner's step if not for illness
- Claps for papa from baby Basso
- Discovery escorts another winner through the streets on the final day of a grand tour
- Cunego knows what it feels like to be rolling into Milan a winner of the Giro
- Sitting safely in the pack Savoldelli cruises to overall victory
- 99 pink balloons
- There's a balloon for everyone so you don't have to race too hard
- His balloon's gone and it's flying away
- Pink in a see of blue as Savoldelli is surrounded by Fassa riders
- Bringing home the bacon as Petacchi takes stage number four
- Anna Chiara congratulates Alessandro after Petacchi wins on the last day
- Tired but happy
- When I get my arm through here it'll be mine for good. Savoldelli squeezes into the maglia rosa
- That is MY trophy!
- Il Falco's wings raised high as he celebrates victory in Milan
- Gentle kisses for a lot of effort
- The face of a conquerer with a Giro conquest complete
- Still the ProTour leader's jersey for Danilo Di Luca
- Di Luca and Moser two successful Italian bike racers
- Di Luca's still a winner while he still gets kisses
- The Basso family - nice
- The pink saddle award which Di Luca looks overjoyed to be holding
Images by Tim Gasperak/www.bigempty.com
- The publicity caravan arrives in Milan, preceding the peloton.
- Freshly unpacked trophies await the winners.
- The main winner's trophy, reserved for 2005 winner Paolo Savoldelli.
- Riders arrive on the Corso Venezia for 12 circuits around the streets of Milan.
- 2005 Giro winner-in-waiting Paolo Savoldelli (L) and Danilo Di Luca (R) were often visible at the front of the group in Milan.
- Fassa Bortolo controlled the pace for many of the finish laps, with Ivan Basso and Danilo Di Luca never far behind.
- Four laps to go with the Fasso Bortolo train in full effect, with Paolo Bettini going along for the ride.
- Three laps to go and Discovery Channel shares the effort with Fassa Bortolo.
- Alessandro Petacchi and Paolo Bettini sitting pretty with two laps to go.
- Alessandro Petacchi takes the stage win from Erik Zabel, and the Italian crowd goes ballistic!
- Paolo Bettini looking spent after the sprint finish.
Stage 19 - May 28: Savigliano - Sestriere (Le Valli Olimpiche), 190 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Gibo gives it gas
- Savoldelli with Belli and Ardila
- Through the trees on gravel roads
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) suffering, but riding well
- Vai Paolo!
- Savoldelli and Van Huffel look for the top
- Paolo Savoldelli tries to limit his losses
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) saved his energy on the Finestre
- Di Luca rode a fair chunk of the Finestre in front
- One of Simoni's helpers is ready with the spare wheels and bidon
- Di Luca leads Simoni and Rujano
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) with Rujano behind
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) fighting all the way to the top
- Ardila driving the Savoldelli group
- Savoldelli and Belli go uphill in the dust
- Paolo Savoldelli starts hallucinating
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) gets plenty of encouragement
- Di Luca rehydrates at the top
- Di Luca keeps ahead of Simoni
- Savoldelli and Belli together
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) gets some encouragement
- Di Luca, Simoni, and Rujano on the Finestre
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) leads Simoni towards the top
- Ardila and Savoldelli ascending the Colle delle Finestre
- Ardila and Savoldelli leave Ivanov behind
- Mauricio Ardila (Davitamon-Lotto) setting the pace for Savoldelli
- Il Falco flies on a descent
- Crowds at Sestriere
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) can sense victory
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) almost there
- Rujano nears the finish
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) almost, but not quite
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) approaches the finish
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) can see the end
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) gets encouragement from his team director
- Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) working hard with 1 km to go
- Gonchar inside the last kilometre
- Savoldelli can sense the finish
- Gonchar leads the Savoldelli group
- Emmanuele Sella (Panaria) was top 10
- Marzio Bruseghin wonders when it'll finish
- Liquigas riding for Cioni
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) after another long day
- Cunego gets to 500m to go
- The tiny figure of Jose Rujano crosses the line in Sestriere
- I did it! Jose Rujano across the line
- Jose Rujano wins the stage
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) is a happy man in green
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) salutes as he wins the stage
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) celebrates his win
- That was hard
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) gave it everything, but needed another 28 seconds
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) is annoyed at himself for cramping
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) crosses the line in third
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) after saving his Giro
- A smiling Rujano
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) salutes from the podium
- Strewth! This thing weighs nearly as much as I do.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) puts on his second last maglia rosa
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) salutes in pink
- Savoldelli prepares to pop the cork
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) climbing the Colle delle Finestre
- Savoldelli grits his teeth on the Finestre
- Savoldelli on the stones
- The summit of the Colle delle Finestre
- The crowds at the top of the Finestre
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) salutes as he wins the stage
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) takes a deep breath
Stage 18 - May 27: Chieri - Torino ITT, 34 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- David Zabriskie (Team CSC) set the early best time until his team-mate Ivan Basso came through with the winning mark.
- Dario Cioni (Liquigas-Bianchi) powers to fifth place.
- Soaking up the rays in the chrono.
- Josè Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) will need to give it his all in the mountains tomorrow to unseat Savoldelli.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) up the Superga climb.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) isn't giving up his maglia rosa without a fight.
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Ivan Basso (Team CSC) awaits the call-up.
- And he's away!
- Ivan Basso (Team CSC) set the fastest time at each checkpoint.
- Basso was power in motion.
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) puts his head-shield on.
- Hmm, I wonder if today will end in a bunch sprint...
- Stefano Zanini (Quick.Step) awaits his turn.
- And off he goes... weeeeeeeee!
- American TT champ David Zabriskie (Team CSC) a picture of focus.
- And there goes Dave Z!
- Hmm, that episode with Cooke is still bothering me...
- Vai Dani!
- Il Falco stretches his wings, er, legs.
- The incredible Hulk leaves the start house in Chieri.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) rode an excellent time trial to finish 9th.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) saves himself to help out his team-mate Gilberto Simoni tomorrow.
- Marzio Bruseghin was Fassa Bortolo's best rider in 7th place.
- Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) working hard.
- Dario Cioni (Liquigas-Bianchi) did very well to finish fifth.
- Emanuele Sella (Ceramica Panaria) struggled in today's time test.
- Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) rode solidly to finish 6th, and hold his top 10 position on GC.
- Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) gets the head tilt happening.
- Juan Manuel Garate (Saunier Duval) rode superbly to also keep his top 10 position on GC.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) appears to be tiring towards the end of the Giro, losing almost two minutes today.
- Josè Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) en route to 16th place, and holding onto his third spot on GC.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) rode a great TT to finish 10th.
- Maglia rosa Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) pounds away to fourth spot on the day.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) will face his real race of truth in the mountains tomorrow.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) comes home strong to finish just 23 seconds down on Basso.
- Italy has plenty of attractions besides the Giro.
- Good well done - Il Falco receives a helping hand.
- Ivan Basso (Team CSC) - humble in victory.
- These podium girls have been getting plenty of photo time, too!
- Ivan Basso (Team CSC) pops the cork.
- And there goes the spray...
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) looks like he's already thinking about tomorrow.
Stage 17 - May 26: Varazze - Limone Piemonte (Colle di Tenda), 194 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) is gaining fans
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) is always popular
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) signing autographs
- Whaddya reckon, will these guys stay away? "Nah."
- The break looking for relief?
- Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) after being left by the break
- Dario Cioni on the Colletto Del Moro
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) on the Colletto Del Moro
- Cristian Moreni (Quick.Step) on the Colletto Del Moro
- Put some effort in!
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) leads Di Luca on the Colletto Del Moro with 30 km to go
- Garate and Basso on the Colletto Del Moro
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) on the Colletto Del Moro
- Frank Schleck (CSC) was largely responsible for Basso's 1'40 cushion at the foot of the last climb
- The Lampre train in action
- Gonchar and Savoldelli work hard to limit their losses
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) towing the chase group up the final climb
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) once again did the job for Simoni
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) gets ready to make his move
- Rujano and Simoni make good their escape
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) follows Gonchar
- Di Luca hurting
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) was in difficulty today
- Ivan Basso (CSC) comes up the climb
- Giampaolo Caruso (Liberty) after Basso left him behind
- At 'em lads!
- Spectators on the final climb
- Ivan Basso (CSC) with his smile turning into a grimace
- Ivan Basso (CSC) wins the 17th stage
- Ivan Basso (CSC) celebrates across the line
- Ivan Basso (CSC) is a happy man
- Rujano beats Simoni for second
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) happy with second
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) in pain as he finished third
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) crosses the line, 1'48 down on Basso
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) leads Garate home
- Emmanuele Sella (Panaria) crosses the line
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) finishes
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) lost 2'49 to Basso
- Cunego comes across the line
- Ivan Basso (CSC) after the finish
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Panaria) was not in a good way
- Pain
- A Bouygues rider rehydrates after the stage
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Riders collapse after the finish
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Panaria) is seen to by the medical staff after crashing during the stage
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Panaria) is airlifted off the finishing climb
- Ivan Basso (CSC) on the podium as stage winner
- Ivan Basso (CSC) knows how to open a bottle of spumante
- Savoldelli still looks nervous on the podium
- Careful with that thing! Someone could lose an eye
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) is getting the hang of it now
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) smiles from the podium
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) on the podium in green
Stage 16 - May 25: Lissone - Varazze, 210 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Ivan Basso (CSC) can still smile, despite a hard few days
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) obliges the fans
- ProTour leader Danilo Di Luca happily signs autographs
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) has a job to do
- Selle Italia's Gianni Savio with his stars Ivan Parra and Jose Rujano
- Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) in refueling mode
- Massimo Codol (Fassa) had to work a lot early in the stage
- Savoldelli and Petacchi sticking close
- Savoldelli and Petacchi
- Michael Barry on the front
- It was a hot stage
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) could sit behind his train for most of the day
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) staying relaxed
- Antonio Cruz drives the Discovery bus
- Jegou and Ongarato on the front of the break
- Le Mevel and Vanotti leading the big break
- Alessandro Vanotti (Domina Vacanze) made the first attack on the Bric Berton
- Alessandro Vanotti (Domina Vacanze) goes it alone
- Christophe Brandt (Davitamon-Lotto) on the front
- The final break is formed on the Bric Berton
- Frank Schleck (CSC) leads Vanotti and Le Mevel on the Bric Berton
- The Discovery train: First stop, Varazze
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) enjoying another day in pink
- Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) started celebrating early
- Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) crosses the line
- Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) rides through the photo mob
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) post-stage
- Mario Cipollini is still a popular figure
- Ongarato and Cipo after the stage
- Mario Cipollini has a quiet word with Alberto Ongarato after the stage
- Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) smiles on the podium
- To absent friends
- Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) with the podium girls, who are about to get very wet
- Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) in eager anticipation
- Is that it?
- Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) looks a bit bemused
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) gets ready for the hard job: popping the cork
- Alas, poor cork, I knew him, etc.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) struggles with the cork
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Rolling along in stage 16
- Looks like it rained here recently
- Discovery Channel leads the peloton during stage 16
- Savoldelli can smile, he's in pink
- Mmm…cake
- Savoldelli and Cunego keep close to each other
Stage 15 - May 23: Villa di Tirano - Lissone, 154 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Benoit Joachim (Discovery Channel) leads the bunch with two laps to go in Lissone
- Ongarato and Tosatto were towards the back of the Fassa train
- One lap to go and it was all Fassa, all the time
- Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) leads the train with just under a lap to go
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) well placed in the finale
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) corners with Danilo Di Luca
- Petacchi crosses the line with a bike length to spare on Zabel
- Petacchi defeats Zabel and Bettini to win stage 15
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) celebrates his third stage win
- Petacchi can celebrate again
- Yeah
- Isaac Galvez (L) and Aurelien Clerc ('R) hit the deck after the finish
- Clerc is not happy with Galvez
- Are you having a go at me? Nah mate, nah.
- Clerc and Galvez get chummy
- It was your fault anyway
- Galvez and Clerc settle their differences
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) salutes from the podium
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) is a lot happier than he was in the first week
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) with the spoils of victory
- Here ya go, get some of this down ya
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) thinking, thinking
- Race leader Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) wonders whether he can hold it for another five days
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) smiles in pink
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) now in purple again
- The Incredible Hulk Jose Rujano (Selle Italia)
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) finally claimed the blue Intergiro jersey
- Selle Italia kings Rujano and Parra
Stage 14 - May 22: Egna - Livigno, 210 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) descends after sign on
- Magenta versus pink?
- Bettini and Zabel at the start
- Bettini and Di Luca talk turkey
- So then I said…
- Discovery Channel in action very early on
- Joachim and Barry set the tempo for Savoldelli
- Rafaele Illiano (Selle Italia) tows his teammates in the early break
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) played another important role today
- Parra and Cunego in the early break
- Di Luca with Savoldelli and Basso
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) is still in a position to win the Giro
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) rides in pink
- Ivan Basso (CSC) began to struggle very early on
- Savoldelli checks on Basso
- Savoldelli and Di Luca
- Rather nice
- Lampre took the race in hand after Savoldelli ran out of teammates
- Tortuous is one word to describe the Stelvio.
- Snow covered slopes greeted the riders on the Stelvio
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) checks the road ahead
- Cunego and Caucchioli on one of the 48 hairpins
- What a sight!
- Gibo and Paolo
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) looking comfortable on the Stelvio
- Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) rode well again today
- Just don't shout loudly
- Riders ascend through the snow and sun
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) on his own
- The Passo di Stelvio is a mighty climb
- The maglia rosa near the top of the Stelvio
- Some sun as Vila leads Simoni and Savoldelli on the Stelvio
- Simoni, Savoldelli, and Di Luca
- Savoldelli climbs the Stelvio
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) ascends the Stelvio alone
- The final series of hairpins at the top of the Stelvio
- Di Luca leads the maglia rosa group over the Stelvio
- Di Luca on the front as Vila grabs a jacket
- Anyone got a bobsled?
- This looks fun
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) admires the view on the Stelvio descent
- The Passo di Stelvio was the highest point in the Giro
- Off the Stelvio through the snow
- Donwhill skiiers? Or bike riders?
- Descending off the Stelvio through the snow
- Emmanuele Sella (Panaria) made it up to the break, but couldn't go with Parra
- Emmanuele Sella (Panaria) leading the break behind Parra
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) in his first day in pink
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) leads the maglia rosa group over the final climb
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) leads Belli, Van Huffel, and Savoldelli
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) leads Van Huffel on the last climb
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) leading Van Huffel and Savoldelli
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) dictates the tempo
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) attacks the maglia rosa
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) gets a gap!
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) with Van Huffel and Garate in tow
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) hammers away
- Vai Danilo!
- Savoldelli fights to stay in contact with Simoni, as Caucchioli follows
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) at his own tempo
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) away solo
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) crosses the line in Livigno to win his second stage
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) celebrates his win in Livigno
- Di Luca leads Simoni and Garate in for fifth
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) on the podium for a second time
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) with his solid state spumante
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) celebrates
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) zips up his maglia rosa with his daughter on hand
- Savoldelli and child
- The podium girl looks slightly nervous today
Images by Christine Grein/www.capture-the-peloton.com
- Stefano Zanini (Quick.Step takes junior for a ride)
- Matt White (Cofidis) after a hard day)
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) on the podium
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia) on the podium
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) accepts a congratulatory kiss
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) and his daughter on the podium.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) uses his Jedi mind powers to pop the cork
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) cuts loose with the fizzy stuff
- Julio Alberto Perez Cuapio (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) gives and interview
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia-Colombia) on the podium
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia-Colombia) pops the spumante
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia-Colombia) training for a post-cycling career as a firefighter
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) pulls on the leader jersey in the Intergiro classification
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) with the Intergiro podium girls
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) in the points jersey
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) waves from the podium
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) waves from the podium
- The Credit Agricole team - everyone gets a turn on the podium at the Giro...)
Images by Andrea Hübner/www.velo-photos.com
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) is happy of wearing the maglia rosa
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) at the signing in before the start of stage 14
- Ivan Basso (Team CSC)
- Michele Scarponi (Liberty Seguros)
- Addy Engels (Quickstep)
- Leader of the UCI ProTour Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas)
Stage 13 - May 21: Mezzocorona - Ortisei, 218 km
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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Ivan Basso (CSC) signs autographs
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) signs on
- The peloton flanked by snow covered mountain sides
- Ivan Basso (CSC) descends
- Ivan Basso (CSC) ringed by teammates
- Ivan Basso (CSC) looking comfy…for now
- Michael Blaudzun (CSC) really likes pain
- Dave Z did a lot of work for Basso today
- The break admires the view
- The gruppetto admires the view
- Joseba Beloki (Liberty) quit the race today
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) seemed to manage the steep gradients ok
- Ivan Basso (CSC) struggled a bit today
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) looks ahead…
- The CSC train in South Tyrol
- CSC also led on the descents
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) settles in
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) alone, after being dropped by the break
- There was a lot of climbing action today
- Going up
- CSC on the front, as usual
- The peloton on a Dolomite
- Basso had a lot of team support today
- The peloton versus the mountains
- It was spectacular again in the Dolomiti
- The main group going downhill fast
- Ivan Basso (CSC) lost a bit of time today
- Basso crosses the line 1'06 down on Savoldelli
- Baby face
- Francesco Guidolin
- Francesco Guidolin at the top of one of the passes
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) rides away from Basso, with Savoldelli in tow
- Cunego and Gibo with Aitor Gonzalez on the Passo delle Erbe
- Cunego and Gibo with Aitor Gonzalez, looking for the peloton
- Frank Schleck (CSC) leads Bassso
- The break drives on the flat
- Juan Manuel Garate (Saunier Duval) moved up a few places on GC today
- Ivan Basso (CSC) with Savoldelli close behind
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) and teammate Damiano Cunego put Basso under a lot of pressure today
- Gibo and Damiano consult
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) had a better day today
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) leading the group
- Lampre's Gibo Simoni and Damiano Cunego prepare to hatch their cunning plan
- Basso looks concerned. He should be!
- Going down
- The Incredible Hulk Jose Rujano (Selle Italia)
- Going up: menswear, second floor, ladies lingerie, fifth floor, mind the door
- CSC used all of its men today
- Ivan Basso (CSC) with Cunego on his wheel
- Peron and Blaudzun work for Basso
- Ivan Basso (CSC) lookin' good
- The front group
- The group is cheered on
- Dolomites
- Are we there yet? I want an icecream
- Parts of the gruppetto
- It was a long day for everyone
- Barren landscape near the top
- Whee!
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) attacks on the last climb
- Gibo and Paolo do damage
- Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel, R) realises he has company…
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) makes Simoni hurt
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) en route to the maglia rosa
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) flew the coop and took the maglia rosa
- Simoni and Di Luca get together
- Sella, Cunego, and Bruseghin
- Ivan Basso (CSC) in difficulty
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) gets ready to finish
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) scores an emotional win
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) salutes from the podium
- Ivan Parra (Selle Italia) struggles with the bottle
- Success!
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) always looks a bit nonplussed
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) thinking, 'I'll get that girl on my left with the spumante.'
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) in pink, uncorking the bubbled fury
Images by Mitch Friedman/www.mitchophoto.com
- The front main pack goes up the Gardena
- CSC at the front on the Gardena
- Cunego and pals going up the Gardena
- Jose Luis Carrasco Gamiz with some clown that was on the course
- Discovery Channel's Michael Barry on the Passo Gardena
- Winner Ivan Parra (Selle Italia)
- Di Luca and Simoni come in together
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) chats with radio
- Davitamon-Lotto helps out some fans up the Passo Gardena
- Ruben Lobato goes up the Passo Gardena
- Second placed Juan Manuel Garate rides up the Passo Gardena
- Basso with his team
- Evgeni Petrov (Lampre) goes up the Gardena
- Marco Milesi (Liquigas) goes up again
- Petacchi asking 'Is the climbing over? I want to sprint!'
- Parra sprays the crowd
- Well, it's a take off from F-1 racing: Let's spray the girls and Paolo Savoldelli does it well
- Bettini gets the purple points jersey
Stage 12 - May 20: Alleghe - Rovereto, 178 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- A smiling Ivan Basso signs on
- Ivan Basso (CSC) thinking, thinking
- McEwen, Basso, and Luttenberger on the front
- The peloton winds up the San Pellegrino pass
- The Aussies are taking over everywhere…
- Climbing in the Dolomites can be rather scenic
- The peloton ascends the San Pellegrino at a relaxed pace
- The Aussies and the sprinters helped keep it quiet on the climb
- The peloton between Dolomites
- Looks alright
- The peloton enjoying the Dolomites
- Basso and Di Luca chat about the serenity
- Ivan Basso (CSC) could relax a bit after his efforts yesterday
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) had his climbing legs on today
- Ah, the serenity!
- There was some serious climbing to be done in stage 12
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) descends ahead of Nick Gates
- Ivan Basso (CSC) rides in pink
- CSC rides tempo for Basso
- Andrea Peron (CSC) keeps Basso out of the wind
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) salutes as he beats Grillo and Galvez
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) salutes as he wins the stage
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) has done this a lot
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) smiles from the podium
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) gets another kiss
- Careful with that thing
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) pops the cork
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) enjoying this one
- Ivan Basso (CSC) smiles on the podium after his first day in pink
- Ivan Basso (CSC) is serene on the podium
- Still some hard stages to come for Ivan
- Ivan Basso (CSC) salutes from the podium
- Ivan Basso (CSC) has problems with the spumante cork
- He gets it
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) was definitely the best sprinter today
Images by Mitch Friedman/www.mitchophoto.com
- Young Bella Italia
- Is this what next year's bikes and riders will look like?
- Bettini chats before the race
- Gotta love the Gold Sidis. Very bling!
- Hard working Antonio from Sidi passes some goodies off for Bettini
- Bettini after the race where he finished 13th today
- Petacchi speaks to radio and TV reporters
- Petacchi has a good spray today
- Basso gets the kisses
- Basso has spumante as well
- Ms. Selle Italia
Stage 11 - May 19: Marostica - Zoldo Alto, 150 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews.com
- CSC manager Bjarne Riis was confident in Basso's ability
- Ivan Basso's Cervelo was fitted with an FSA 52/36 front chainring, which he put to good use today
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) signs autographs in Marostica
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) was looking forward to this stage
- Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) is happy to be in his first big tour
- Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) signs autographs in Marostica
- Charly Wegelius had another tough day ahead of him
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Di Luca and Cunego make a few fans happy
- Di Luca and Cunego get ready for battle
- T-Mobile waits for the start in Marostica
- Matteo Tosatto (Fassa Bortolo) takes advantage of an unscheduled feed zone
- Cunego gets a bit of adjustment on his bike
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) in happier times
- You go that way and I'll go this way
- The peloton in action during the first part of the stage
- What is wrong with this photo?
- The Dolomiti set the scene for today's tough stage
- Heading for the hills
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) gets some adjustment done
- The peloton in action on a bridge
- The peloton got thinner as the day wore on
- Di Luca looking great on a descent
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) glides down a descent
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) flies on a descent
- Di Luca leads Cunego early on
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) before it all got too hard
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) fought well today
- Di Luca, Basso, and Simoni lead the rest
- Ivan Basso (CSC) helped create the first selection on the Passo Duran, after Simoni's initial attack
- The smiling assassin Ivan Basso, putting Di Luca and Simoni into the red
- Gibo and Di Luca marking time
- Di Luca, Savoldelli, Simoni and Rujano follow Basso
- Ivan Basso (CSC) makes it hard on the Passo Duran
- Ivan Basso (CSC) had the maglia rosa in trouble more than once
- Basso cutting things down to size
- Basso leads Gibo, Di Luca and Savoldelli
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) felt more than just his legs hurting today
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) kept his cool today
- Basso and Simoni chase Savoldelli
- Di Luca in a lot of pain
- Ivan Basso (CSC) had to work hard on the last climb to get Savoldelli
- Simoni is dropped on the last climb
- Ivan Basso (CSC) nears the goal
- Ivan Basso (CSC) led Savoldelli all the way
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) wins the 11th stage
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) celebrates his win
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) crosses the line for third, 21 seconds behind Savoldelli and Basso
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas Bianchi) tries to recover post-stage
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) salutes from the podium
- Well, how did you like that? Il Falco is back.
- Jeez, winning a stage is easier than this
- Ivan Basso (CSC) gets his first podium kiss in pink
- Ivan Basso (CSC) in pink, and enjoying it
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Remnants of the peloton
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) gets some encouragement
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) followed Basso's wheel to the top
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) celebrates his win in Dolomiti stars
- Ivan Basso (CSC) now in pink, for the first time
Images by Mitch Friedman/www.mitchophoto.com
- Cunego does not look sure today
- Saronni hopes to have a rider in pink at day's end
- Radio Basso: Ivan had radio problems and they seem to be gluing in the earpiece
- Simoni waits in the team car for the start
- Tony Cruz (Discovery) has a new look all due to Michael Barry; gee what do you think Cruz will do to Barry?
- What a game? Seems you play marbles
- The new dance called the GIRO
- The first family of cycling shoes SIDI - the Signori's
- Thorwald Veneberg talks to his team car
- Dueling cars as Francaise Des Jeux seems not to want Cofidis to pass
- Going for second in the InterGiro Points race
- Team Lampre at the front going through Agordo
- Savoldelli makes his move on Basso for the win
- Simoni up to the finish
- Di Luca lost the pink but is still third overall just 1:04 back
- Cunego after the stage - he had a bad day
- The winner Paolo Savoldelli
- Basso in pink
Images by Andrea Hübner/www.velo-photos.com
- Andrea Moletta (Gerolsteiner)
- Andrea Tonti (Lampre)
- Winner of the 2004 Giro d'Italia Damiano Cunego (Lampre)
- Ivan Basso (Team CSC)
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel)
- Maglia Rosa Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas)
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) says grrr
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) at the start in Marostica
- Joseba Beloki (Liberty Seguros) strikes a pose
- Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole)
- Koldo Gil (Liberty Seguros)
Stage 10 - May 18: Ravenna - Rossano Veneto, 212 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) descends after sign-on
- These two riders are keeping close to each other
- Cunego is sporting an Italian coloured fi'zi:k saddle
- The kids love Damiano
- Marco Pantani clones get ready to infiltrate the peloton
- What the? We can rebuild him!
- It was very steady for the first three hours
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) never one to panic
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) was safe in the peloton for most of the day
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) has a number to defend
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) looking relaxed
- The peloton was relaxed for the first three hours
- Through the trees
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) was his usual calm self
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) stops to adjust his saddle
- Scooting along towards Rossano Veneto
- Are we in Holland? Probably not.
- The plotone in action
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) comes back after a bike change
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) spent a fairly relaxed day in the bunch today
- The peloton races past Citadella
- Ivan Basso (CSC) spent a comfortable day near the front, until things went a little pear-shaped at the end
- Fassa did an almost perfect job today
- The Fassa train was in action for most of the day
- Ivan Basso (CSC) suffered a late race mechanical, but was able to come back
- Lombardi leads Basso
- CSC worked hard to bring back Basso late in the race
- A Fassa team car lying in wait for the bunch
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) lets it fly
- Cofidis leads with three laps to go
- T-Mobile was not afraid today
- 10 metres to go and it's anyone's guess
- In the throw it was McEwen (2nd L) from Petacchi (2nd R)
- McEwen and Petacchi don't know who won
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) smiles from the podium
- That's three wins for McEwen
- I get a trophy too
- Here it comes!
- McEwen is starting to enjoy this stuff
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) is kissed on the podium
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) zips up his maglia rosa
- Di Luca smiles in pink
- Di Luca has a taste
Images by Mitch Friedman/www.mitchophoto.com
- One of Pantani's Wilier bikes was on hand
- Want some Giro Jerseys?
- The crowd is after the free stuff
- Marco Pantani lives on through fan clubs
- You've gotta look the part to hang around at the finish
- Romilda an Italian spectator
- And it's McEwen (2nd L) who takes it from Petacchi (2nd R), O'Grady ('R) and Zabel (L)
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) still looking cool in pink
- Robbie McEwen gets his podium kiss
- McEwen sprays the bubbly
- Di Luca gets the most out of the bottle
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Is the peloton really that fast?
- The photo finish showed how close it was
- Ooh boy that was close
Stage 9 - May 16: Firenze - Ravenna, 139 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Bianchi enjoying Di Luca's time in pink
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) signs on with Florence's Duomo in the background
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) wonders what's next
- Feel that? Solid steel.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) in a contemplative mood
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) dreams of pink
- Damiano Cunego with mentor Giuseppe Martinelli
- Il Falco, Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) takes this descent gingerly
- So is David going to be joining us today?
- Get a move on!
- Gino Bartali's widow came to watch today
- Gino Bartali's widow gets ready to flag off the peloton
- The ninth stage set off in front of the Gino Bartali museum in Florence
- The peloton rolls out of Florence
- Who turned out the lights?
- Robbie McEwen and Nick Gates in conversation
- Eric Baumann (T-Mobile) didn't enjoy the climb, and dropped off
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) leads Christensen and Baumann on the climb
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas Bianchi) ringed by teammates
- Garzelli and Wegelius in the Liquigas posse
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) enjoyed another day in pink
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) keeps a close eye on things
- Gustov and Baldato did a lot of work
- Gustov, Baldato and Codol set up Petacchi's win today
- Gustov and Baldato lead the Fassa chase
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) takes a nice line around a hairpin
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) keeps it tight
- Robbie McEwen and Baden Cooke descend together
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) keeps his cool on a descent
- Down we go!
- The peloton goes contrariwise
- The Fassa train got it right today
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) leads Mads Christensen (Quick.Step) in their two man breakaway
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) gave Mads a lot of shelter from the wind today
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) has a big motor
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) gets some advice
- Team CSC leading the peloton
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) beats Bettini (L) to win the stage
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wanted this one bad
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) lets out a primal scream as he wins the stage
- Hell yeah
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) clearly wins stage 9 ahead of Bettini (L), Clerc ('R), and McEwen (2nd L)
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) gives a very loud yell as he crosses the line
- Yes!
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) is escorted to the podium
- Ivan Basso (CSC) shows the strain of the first 10 days of the Giro
- Ivan Basso (CSC) looking forward to next week
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) is waiting for the mountains
- Someone up there likes me
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) with flowers, etc.
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) lets it all go
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) gives his podium salute
- A smiling Petacchi on the podium
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) has earned this one
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) puts on another pink tunic
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) getting used to pink
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) with his serious podium face on
- Dang
- Stefano Baldini and Josefa Idem at the finish
- Stefano Baldini and Josefa Idem - marathon specialists
Images by AFP Photo
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) is always a grinner
- Eric Baumann (T-Mobile) seems distracted by something
- Matt 'The King' White gets into the swing of things
- That's a very pointed looking cleat you've got there
- Eric Baumann (T-Mobile) formed part of the early break with Christensen and Krauss
- Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner) pounds away with Mads Christensen (Quick.Step) in his wheel
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) grimacing a little
- Nick Gates and Robbie McEwen receive a roadside blessing?
- The peloton descends off the Passo di Muraglione
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas Bianchi) tucked in behind Fassa's Massimo Codol
- Basso and Di Luca butt heads
- Basso and Di Luca discuss their differences, which amount to nine seconds and a pink jersey
- Zabriskie and Di Luca express their opinions on the latest flavourings in energy drinks
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) was the clear winner today
- Petacchi enjoying this one
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) celebrates his win
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) has been looking forward to this for a while
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) gets his podium kiss
Stage 8 - May 15: Lamporecchio - Firenze ITT, 45 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) finished 2'24 off the winning pace.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) en bloc.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) again performing beyond expectations.
- Maglia rosa Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi).
- The pins of pink jersey Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi).
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) gets plenty of cheers.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) rode better than his leader, Gilberto Simoni, setting up another potential feud between the two.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) grits his teeth.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) tutto concentrato.
- Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) rode disappointingly, ending up in 47th place.
- Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) slipped to 16th on GC.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) en route to 16th for the stage.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) ended up fourth overall by the day's end.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) giving it his all.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) did just enough to retain the maglia rosa for another day.
- Jan Hruska (Liberty Seguros) had a great ride to finish in the top 10.
- Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis), on the other hand, didn't, finishing seventh-last.
- Vladimir Karpets (Illes Balears) rode very well to finish sixth, and move into 11th overall.
- Aitor Gonzalez was the best of the Euskaltel-Euskadi crew, 2'54 behind Zabriskie.
- Pre-race favourite, Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) ended up in fifth place.
- Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile Team) finished 60th.
- Scalatore Emanuele Sella (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) finished 25th.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) had a solid ride to finish 18th.
- Ivan Basso (CSC) en route to second on the stage.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) finished third on the stage.
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) is now third overall.
- Liberty Seguros GC man Michele Scarponi conceded 2'47 to Zabriskie.
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas Bianchi) finished in 11th place.
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas Bianchi) kept his sixth place overall.
- Garzelli's team-mate Dario Cioni (Liquigas Bianchi) ended up with the same time as him.
- Dario Cioni (Liquigas Bianchi) also kept his place on GC.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) finished 2'52 off the pace today.
- Time trials hurt.
- Yes they do.
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) got a 'rest day' today.
- So did Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo).
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) gets his bike checked out by a UCI official.
- And he's good to go!
- Aitor Gonzalez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) ended up in 24th place.
- Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) moved up into the top 10 on GC.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) rode superbly to hang on to the maglia rosa.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) in his aero position.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) lets off some steam.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) goes for it.
- Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) didn't have a good day. Actually, it was an awful day.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) will need to make up time in the Dolomiti.
- Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) superb fourth place now sees him sixth on GC.
- Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) just before take-off.
- Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) gives his steely Eastern bloc look.
- Ivan Basso (CSC) awaits the countdown.
- Baby face Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel).
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas Bianchi) awaits.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) thinks of victory two weeks from now.
- Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) is looking for a top 10 finish in Milano.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) means business.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) gives his best pout.
- Andrea Tafi takes some time out for some timekeeping duties.
- Filippo Pozzato (Quick.Step) and Italian legend Gianni Bugno.
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) straps up.
- Il Falco Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) flies away.
- Mmm, tasty... not.
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas Bianchi) and Dario Cioni (Liquigas Bianchi) await their call-up.
- The last to leave - Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta).
- "Well, how about that - my first Giro stage win!" Dave Zabriskie (CSC) thinks to himself.
- Dave Zabriskie (CSC) holds his trophy up high.
- Dave Zabriskie (CSC) flanked by two Tuscan beauties.
- Yeah, get into it, mate.
- I wonder who that is...
- Surprise! It's Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas Bianchi).
- I wonder who that is...
- Surprise! It's me again!
Images by AFP Photo
- Brian Vandborg (CSC) rides through the Tuscan countryside
- Spectators enjoy the sunshine as riders time-trial past.
- Dave Zabriskie (CSC) on the way to his second grand tour stage win
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre) could afford to lose some time, but perhaps not this much.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) cools off after the time trial
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) sets off on the time trial
- Danilo Di Luca (liquigas) celebrates hanging on to the maglia rosa
- Danilo Di Luca (liquigas) is congratulated by former team-mate Mario Cipollini
- Di Luca & Cipollini plot the conquest of the world
Stage 7 - May 14: Grosseto - Pistoia, 211 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- A bug's eye view of the Giro.
- A rather pleasant feature of northern Italy.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) drives his group up the final climb.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) takes over from his team-mate Cunego.
- A wounded Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) rides into Pistoia, having fallen a few kilometres beforehand.
- A tough day at the office for Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta).
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Uber cool Mario Cipollini pays the Giro another visit.
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) shortly after signing on in Grosseto.
- Careful, Alessandro, no more falls today.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) does the autograph thing.
- So does Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel).
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) looking a little tense.
- Plenty of spectators on the road to Pistoia.
- Bella Tuscany.
- More Bella Tuscany.
- The green grass of Toscana.
- Ivan Quaranta (Domina Vacanze) feels his stomach, and it ain't too good.
- Ivan Quaranta (Domina Vacanze) pulls out of the race, and takes refuge in the team car.
- Ivan Quaranta (Domina Vacanze) packs it in after 30 kilometres.
- Ivan Quaranta (Domina Vacanza) has seen better days.
- The initial 21 man break, driven by Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze).
- Intergiro leader Sven Krauss (Gerolsteiner).
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) comes along for the ride.
- So far, the Liquigas-Bianchi team have been the strongest team in the race.
- The peloton snakes it way through the Tuscan countryside.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) looks like he knows it's arrivederci maglia rosa.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) give his tough guy look. That won't scare Baden much.
- Lampre-Cafitta en masse at the head of the peloton.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) moved into second overall by the end of the day.
- Team-mates, but mates? Lampre-Cafitta's Damiano Cunego and Gilberto Simoni.
- Ivan Basso (Team CSC) was not at his best today, and lost a minute to a number of the favourites.
- CSC drives the pace before the final climb.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) suffering like a dog, with mountains leader Jose Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) on his wheel.
- Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros) leads the decisive break of the day, with Steve Zampieri (Phonak) and Angel Gomez Gomez (Saunier Duval-Prodir) in tow.
- Mountains leader Jose Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) rode superbly today.
- Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) digs in deep.
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) sets an uncomfortable pace on the Sammommè climb.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) rode out of his skin today.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) showing who's boss.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) leading the charge.
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) finds the pace a little too easy, and takes a drink.
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) finds the going tough when Jose Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) puts down the hammer.
- Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros) spreads his arms wide open, taking in the full applause of the tifosi.
- Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros) takes out his first Grand Tour win in Pistoia.
- Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros) about to clap his hands.
- And it feels goooood!
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) is pretty pleased with winning the sprint for second place.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) takes out the sprint...
- ... but does he realise someone's already ahead of him?
- There's a fair bit of anger behind Damiano Cunego's punch there...
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) comes in Pistoia, 1'47 in arrears.
- Well, that hurt.
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) is attended to after his crash late in the race.
- Owww!
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) receives some advanced medical treatment.
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) tells the press how he fell over.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) gives his photo grin.
- Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros) on the podium.
- Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros) more the pleased with himself.
- After an epic day, even holding the trophy is difficult for Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros).
- Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros) kisses his trophy.
- Koldo Gil Perez (Liberty Seguros) pops the bubbly.
- A tranquillo Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) back in the maglia rosa.
- "Get some of this, honey... "
- "Someone help me, please. Anyone... "
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) brimming with confidence,
- Hey, we just said you were brimming with confidence!
- That's better! Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) pops the cork.
Stage 6 - May 13: Viterbo - Marina Di Grosseto, 153 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) looking a little worn out after last night's celebrations.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) ended up spending only one day in the pink.
- Numerous crashes characterised today's stage of the Giro.
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) takes his second stage win in Marina di Grosseto.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) gives himself a champagne shower.
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) a popular figure.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) and friend.
- Ever-popular Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta).
- Liberty Seguros team manager Manolo Saiz.
- The peloton roll around the Tuscan countryside.
- Cruising mid-pack.
- Bella Tuscany.
- The plotone en masse.
- Maglia rosa Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi). There's Joseba Beloki, too.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) pretty in pink.
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) has a chat with his directtore sportivo.
- So does Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta).
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) rides back from the team car.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) makes his way back to the bunch.
- Daniele Nardello (T-Mobile) showing the bandages from a previous day's fall.
- Daniele Nardello (T-Mobile) collects some stuff from the team car.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) takes out the Intergiro sprint in Manciano, putting him in the maglia rosa virtuale.
- Don't come too close! By the way, the speck in the distance is the Cyclingnews blimp, hovering around the finish in Marina di Grosseto.
- We said don't come too close!!
- Ok, that's better!
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) was to become the new maglia rosa by the day's end.
- Mountains leader Jose Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia).
- Jose Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) breaks away with Dmitriy Muravyev (Credit Agricole).
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) makes it all look so easy.
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) takes his second stage of the 2005 Giro, while team-mate Henk Vogels celebrates behind him.
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) a clear winner over Jaan Kirsipuu (Credit Agricole, R).
- Confirmation for McEwen, disappointment for Kirsipuu.
- "No-one can say I'm not fast!"
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) on the podium.
- Talk to the hand.
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) flanked by some terrible-looking podium girls. Not.
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) lets loose with the bubbly.
- Peace and kindness to all.
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) naturally kept his lead in the points classification.
- Success is sweet for Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto)
- Mountains leader Jose Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia).
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) makes it into the maglia rosa once again.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) still doesn't look like he's got over what happened a few days ago.
- A contento Il Grillo, Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step)
- "Hey, there's Baden, give him a wave... "
- "No, Daddy, you give him a wave!"
- "Okay, let's all give him a wave, then!"
- Paolo, bambina, and something.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) receives a congratulatory smooch from his wife.
- "Hey Daddy, is that the Cyclingnews blimp?"
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) struggles with the spumante.
- It's not that funny. Get on with it.
- OK, now that's funny!
- That's silly.
- That's better.
Stage 5 - May 12: Celano - L'Aquila, 223 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Rearguard action
- Quick.Step works hard to set up Bettini
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) was again in the spotlight today
- Bettini and Van Huffel at the back of the break
- Lombardi and Basso (CSC) look at what's ahead
- The peloton snakes across a river
- Bettini was often at the front of the break
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) leads the unfortunate David Lopez (Euskaltel) in the break
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) goes downhill fast
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery) stayed out of trouble today
- Bettini on the front with Rujano following
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) working hard in the break
- Emanuele Sella (Panaria) drops off a jacket to the team car
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) gets some mechanical assistance
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) chats with his director
- Dmitriy Fofonov (Cofidis) suffers on Monte Urano
- The peloton descends a snake
- Team CSC working on the front
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) knew he had to concentrate today
- Di Luca and Cunego stayed close to each other
- Di Luca ringed by orange
- CSC does a bit of work for Ivan Basso, the smiling assassin
- Di Luca has time to salute with two fingers as Bruseghin drives for second place
- That's two stage wins
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) crosses the line to win
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) celebrates his victory
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) after the stage, the maglia rosa gone
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) salutes from the podium
- A kiss for the stage winner
- Spumante for the stage winner
- This one's mine
- A happy Di Luca in pink
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) gets a podium kiss
- Di Luca gets a pink tinged kiss
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) uncorks the bubbly for the maglia rosa too
- Let's get this spumante happening!
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) wins the stage into Aquila
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) now in the maglia rosa
Images by AFP Photo
- The peloton rides through the greenery
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) was always visible
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) back in the caravan
- Irresistable force meets immovable object?
- Julio Alberto Perez Cuapio (Panaria) does a bit of work for his team
- Team CSC play musical bidons
- Sandy Casar (Francaise des Jeux) leads a small break in pursuit of the leaders
- Baden Cooke (Francaise des Jeux) has some work done to his saddle, as he was riding a new bike today
- Arrr! At 'em lads!
Stage 4 - May 11: Giffoni Valle Piana - Frosinone, 220 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) with Cooke on his wheel
- Cooke against the barriers
- Cooke halfway through his somersault
- Oh s***!
- Mazzanti leads the others out of the way
- Cooke comes full circle
- Cooke nearly there
- Nothing for it now but to go for the line
- Dang… Cooke sits on the ground
- Cooke gets up as Bettini prepares to salute
- Bettini celebrates as Cooke picks himself up off the ground
- Bettini had a big lead over Mazzanti across the line
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) celebrates his 'victory'
- Baden Cooke walks to the finish line
- Marzio Bruseghin and others discuss the Cooke crash as they cross the line
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) comes across in 26th
- Baden Cooke and Paolo Bettini have a short discussion about what happened.
- Baden Cooke restrains himself
- Cooke walks by Bettini
- Baden Cooke is an angry man
- That hurt
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) is swamped by journalists as he tries to explain what happened
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) moments after the stage
- Bettini protests while Quick.Step's PR man Alessandro Tegner looks concerned
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) explains to Milesi how he travelled in a straight line...using a bit of Einsteinian physics
- Luca Mazzanti (Panaria) gets a podium kiss
- Luca Mazzanti (Panaria) reflects on a bittersweet win
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) celebrates his maglia rosa in an appropriate fashion
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- What, no pink?
- Whoosh! And they're gone
- Moments after the crash
- Cooke ends up on his rear
- Bettini powers on as Cooke rips out an advertising barrier
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) celebrates his win while Cooke lies on the ground 100m behind him
- Bettini gives his version of events to Marco Milesi. '"It's all to do with the curvature of space-time. No really."
Stage 3 - May 10: Diamante - Giffoni Valle Piana, 210 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Stefano Garzelli has forgotten his glasses
- Are you sure this line is clean?
- Tell me, Mr Anderson…
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) wired up
- The Spanish mob
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) chillin'
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) obliges the fans
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) prefers white shorts to pink
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) looking fresh
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) ready for a day in pink
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) autographs a points jersey
- Di Luca and Cunego approach the finish
- The throw…
- Di Luca's throw was better
- Cunego realises it
- Close… but Di Luca gets it
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) does a short victory salute
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) after the finish
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) looks a bit stuffed
- Oi, Alessandro! I want a word with you
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) rehydrates after the race
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) after a hard day in pink
- Thank YOU
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) gets into some bubbly action
- ProTour leader and stage winner Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) on the podium
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) salutes from the podium
- A very serious Di Luca on the podium
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) escorted to the podium
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) ready to roll
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) salutes in the pink jersey
- Hold me tight… Not…quite…that…tight
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) masters the bubbly
- Ahh, now it's going
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) enjoys this bit
- Save some for me! Oh alright, you can have it
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) smiles in pink
- Dario Cioni (Liquigas) is the new mountains leader
- Hats off for new mountains leader Dario Cioni
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) rides in pink for a day
- Russell Van Hout (Colombia-Selle Italia) during his 166 km long breakaway
- The peloton during stage 3
- Di Luca and Bettini on the climb
- Di Luca and Cunego go head to head
- Garzelli and Di Luca together after the finish
Stage 2 - May 9: Catanzaro Lido - S.M. del Cedro, 182 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) emperor for a day
- Bettini and the Quick.Step car redecorated in typical understated Italian style
- The redecorated Quick.Step team car painted in stealth colours
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) blinded by pink?
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) all in the best possible taste
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) focuses for the start
- Ivan Basso (CSC) ready for another stage
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) goes through the preliminaries
- Michele Scarponi (Liberty Seguros) makes this woman very happy
- Points jersey wearer Robbie McEwen signs autographs
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) signs a few autographs
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) wonders what the day has in store for him
- Bettini and Zanini discuss plans
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) is relaxed so far in the Giro
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) rolls up to the start
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) likes his jersey
- Pozzato and Bettini roll out at the start
- Here they come! The situation at 50m to go
- McEwen gets it in the bike throw
- McEwen, Galvez, and Forster all threw their bikes, but it was McEwen on the left by half a wheel
- McEwen knows he's got it, moments after crossing the line
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) salutes in triumph
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) gives a quick post-race interview via the phone
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) in among the photographers
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) smiles from the podium
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) trades his national champion's jersey for a pink one
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) trades his national champion's jersey for a pink one
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) waves in the pink jersey
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) salutes in the pink jersey
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) lets it fly
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) in pink, with an interesting looking trophy
- Say cheese for McEwen in the points jersey
Stage 1 - May 8: Reggio Calabria - Tropea, 208 km
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- It was a lovely day in the southern part of Italy
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) grabs a drink
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) consults with the DS
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) stayed close to Petacchi all day
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) is very happy with his maglia rosa
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Friends, Reggio Calabrians, etc. lend me your ears
- Brett Lancaster (Panaria) descends after sign-on
- Brett Lancaster (Panaria) with teammate Emmanuele Sella
- Brett Lancaster (Panaria) at the start
- Brett Lancaster (Panaria) signs some autographs
- Gilberto Simoni and Damiano Cunego at sign on
- Pippo Pozzato sporting a hairdo
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) being careful
- Look it's Danilo Di Luca
- Ivan Basso (CSC) signing autographs
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) looking forward to the first road stage
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) en route to glory
- Tosatto, Cooke, and Petacchi wondering what just hit them
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) working pretty hard
- Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) leads Simoni and Pozzato up the last climb
- Dario Cioni (Liquigas) in damage control mode
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) wins the first stage in Tropea
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) salutes his victory
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) undoes the cork
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) with his first bottle
- A smiling Il Grillo on the podium
- Bit tight?
- I'm in pink!
- Mmm, I like this!
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) tries to keep the bottle under control
- Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) celebrates his maglia rosa
Prologue - May 7 : Reggio Calabria ITT, 1,150 m
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis) deep in thought before the evening's prologue.
- Matt White (Cofidis) checks the measurements of his road steed before spending the next three weeks sitting on it.
- Defending champion Damiano Cunego looks all business.
- In the spotlight - Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Cafitta) was the last seeded rider the leave the start house.
- Mario Cipollini lends a hand to new maglia rosa Brett Lancester on the podium.
- Brett Lancaster (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare) gets a taste of the maglia rosa, and likes it!
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) focuses at the start
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) powers down the the Lungomare Italo Falcomata'
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas) ready for the off
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas) goes hard
- Ivan Basso (CSC) is one of the favourites for this Giro
- Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) working hard and showing the hurt.
- Paolo Bettini bites yer legs! The Quick Step team leader's power and aggression put him in 13th place, three seconds slower than Lancaster.
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) psyches himself up for the prologue
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) sets off on the way to a respectable 22nd place
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) focused on the finish line
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) puts in a big effort
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) ponders the meaning of life, and prologues.
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) powers down the start ramp on the way to third place
- Mario Cipollini (Liquigas) waves to the crowd before setting off as final rider in the prologue.
- Brett Lancaster (Ceramica Panaria) powers down the start ramp
- Brett Lancaster shows the huge effort that put him in the Giro's first maglia rosa
- Mario Cipollini does his best Travis Bickle
- Mario Cipollini and the last we'll see of his, ahem, unusual prologue skinsuits
- Mario Cipollini looks very relaxed as he waits for the start.
- Mario Cipollini waves again as he rolls down the start ramp
- Mario Cipollini rides in front of thousands of cheering fans
- Mario Cipollini rides in the prologue
- Brett Lancaster is congratulated by Mario Cipollini on the podium
- Brett Lancaster and Mario Cipollini wave from the podium
- Brett Lancaster salutes the crowd
- Brett Lancaster gets congratulated by the podium girls.
- Brett Lancaster may just have enough strength left to pop the cork
- Brett Lancaster celebrates in the traditional manner
Press conference - Friday, May 6
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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Lampre buddies Damiano Cunego and Gilberto Simoni
- Cunego, Saronni and Simoni all appear to be looking in different directions
- Ivan Basso (CSC) is a definite maybe
- Ivan Basso (CSC)
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) with Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita), Ivan Basso (CSC), and Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita)
- Petacchi and McEwen get up to some hijinks
- Petacchi and McEwen shake hands
- Ivan Basso (CSC) waiting
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) has got the bald look happening
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) thinking, thinking…
- Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) is looking forward to the Giro
- The GC men: Garzelli, Cunego, Basso, and Simoni
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) answers a tricky one
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) can draw on a lot of experience at the Giro
- Ivan Basso (CSC) at the mike
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) looks at the clock
- Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) at the mike
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) hopes to win a few stages
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) listens carefully
- Di Luca seems bored
- Di Luca seems intrigued
- Let's skip this joint
- Di Luca, Petacchi, McEwen, and Bettini
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) gets a grilling
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) at the mike
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) and Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto): sprint rivals
- Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) and Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step): two rivals for the flatter uphill stage finishes
- Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) exits the press conference
Team presentation - Thursday, May 5
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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Presenting the teams of the Giro d'Italia
- Discovery Channel on stage
- Cofidis looking the part
- Erik Zabel is keen to race
- T-Mobile is gunning for Zabel
- Selle Italia-Colombia was one of two wild card teams
- Liberty Seguros will start with eight riders
- Team CSC has its hopes pinned on Ivan Basso
- Davitamon-Lotto has two champions in Tom Steels and Robbie McEwen
- Fassa Bortolo all for Petacchi
- Alessandro Petacchi is Fassa's only captain
- Bouygues Telecom
- Euskaltel-Euskadi is looking forward to its first Giro
- Quick.Step on stage
- Current and past Italian champions Cristian Moreni and Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step)
- The Phonak team boasts two national champions in its ranks
- Ceramica Panaria
- Emmanuele Sella (Panaria) wants to go for GC
- Credit Agricole has Caucchioli
- Saunier Duval-Prodir
- Vladimir Karpets is interviewed as one of Illes Balears' top GC riders
- La Francaise des Jeux
- Domina Vacanze on stage
- Serguei Gonchar is Domina Vacanze's GC man
- Gerolsteiner won't have Rebellin or Wegmann
- Rabobank seems to be missing something
- A large crowd was on hand to watch the team presentation
- Stefano Garzelli is a past winner of the Giro
- Danilo Di Luca tackles the 30 percent grade up to the stage
- Liquigas-Bianchi have a number of options
- Liquigas get ready for a quick exit
- Damiano Cunego practices his climbing
- Lampre-Caffita on stage
- Damiano Cunego is one of Lampre's two top men
- Lampre-Caffita have the car ready…
