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91st Giro d'Italia - GT
Italy, May 10-June 1, 2008
Giro d'Italia winner Contador arrives home
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Giro d'Italia winner Alberto Contador, 25, celebrated in his hometown of Pinto, Spain.
- Outside of the city hall: Spain's Alberto Contador of Team Astana celebrated for winning the 2008 Giro d'Italia.
- Alberto Contador on the balcony of the city hall in his hometown of Pinto, Spain.
- Spain's Alberto Contador display's the trophy won at the three-week Giro d'Italia.
- Alberto Contador recently added the maglia rosa of the Giro d'Italia to the maillot jaune won at the Tour de France last July.
- Alberto Contador arrives in his hometown of Pinto, Spain, after winning the 2008 Giro d'Italia.
- Spaniard Alberto Contador added the maglia rosa of the Giro d'Italia to the maillot jaune won at the Tour de France last July.
- Alberto Contador, 25, added the Giro d'Italia's maglia rosa to the maillot jaune won at the Tour de France last July.
Giro stage by stage photography
Stage 21 - Sunday, June 1: Cesano Maderno - Milano (Individual Time Trial), 23.5 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Alberto Contador (Astana) on his way to overall victory.
- The competitors saw only his back at the end.
- Contador in the final metres of the time trial.
- Contador in pink after winning a race he wasn't even supposed to start.
- The Contador salute
- Contador and wife celebrate
- Contador can now start signing as Giro winner.
- It's photo time for the winner of Italy's Grand Tour.
- You can't get any pinker than that.
- The concentration and determination shows on Contador's face.
- Contador gives the thumbs up for his performance
- Pinotti showed why he is Italian champion.
- Pinotti got High Road win number four in this year's race.
Images by AFP Photo
- Contador during his Giro winning performance
- The Spaniard stayed concentrated and finished the job.
- Riccò couldn't pedal fast enough to get the extra four seconds.
- A kiss for the trophy
- Contador with the unexpected prize
- A smiling Contador makes sure the pink jersey fits alright.
- Contador is the winner of the 2008 Corsa Rosa.
- A happy Contador crossed the line with his arms raised.
- Riccò is not so happy with second.
- Bruseghin hugs Contador and tells him to enjoy the beach a little longer next time.
- The pink podium
- Pinotti took the final time trial by beating his team-mate Tony Martin.
Stage 20 - Saturday, June 31: Rovetta - Tirano, 224 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Pantani monument on the Mortirolo
- The Mortirolo was one of Pantani's preferred attacking grounds.
- Sella was overcome with emotion after taking the difficult 20th stage.
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare) takes his third stage of the Giro.
- Another win for Sella who has had a heck of a Giro with three stages and the mountains jersey.
- The snow did not come from above on the Gavia , but there was plenty on the side of the road.
- Contador threads his way through the fans on the top of the Mortirolo.
- Alberto Contador with an intense look as he dons the pink jersey.
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare) celebrates the stage win in Tirano.
- Contador perfects his champagne spray after five days in pink.
- Finally, a smile from Contador who had a hard day in the saddle defending his pink jersey.
- Antonio Colom (Astana) was happy that Ricco couldn't take time on Contador in the sprint.
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare) enjoys the spotlight on the podium.
- The tifosi on the Mortirolo were stacked ten deep as the pink jersey passed.
- Gilberto Simoni gave it a try but came shy of the stage win.
- Antonio Colom (Astana) stops to bundle up on the Mortirolo.
- Sella was aggressive as always and nobody could catch him on the final climb to Aprica.
- Sella makes his move on the Aprica.
- Riccardo Ricco' in the best young rider's jersey
- Contador keeps an eagle eye on Ricco' who sat just four seconds behind on GC.
- Domenico Pozzovivo (CSF) and Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Silence - Lotto ) hit the deck in the sprint.
Images by AFP Photo
- The mountains leader, Emanuele Sella takes the stage - his third of the Giro.
- Sella pops the cap on the champagne after his third stage win.
- Contador beams with pride as he puts on another pink jersey.
Stage 19 - Friday, June 30: Legnano - Presolana/Monte Pora, 238 Km
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Images by AFP Photo
- Vasili Kiryienka (Tinkoff Credit Systems) rides to his team's second stage victory of the Giro.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Ricco' gets some encouragement from the tifosi.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) rides to the finish of stage 19.
- Di Luca distances his rivals.
- Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali went with Di Luca, but couldn't hold his pace.
- Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Silence Lotto) leads the pink jersey group.
- Despite all the help from his team Simoni couldn't come up with the goods.
- Cummings gets encouragement from his team car.
- Di Luca crushes it over the final two climbs to move into third overall.
- Gilberto Simoni was not happy with his legs, and finished 12' down.
- Steve Cummings (Barloworld) held on to finish fourth from the break.
- Salvodelli looking a bit wrecked after his all-out effort to launch Di Luca back into the race.
- Sella prepares to launch an attack.
- This is why they call him the Killer.
- Marzio Bruseghin put in a great performance to stay in the lead chasing group.
- Gilberto Simoni says ouch that hurt!
- Contador salutes from the podium after stage 19.
- Ricco' gave it his all to get the pink jersey but just missed out by seconds.
- Ricco' hurtles toward the finish.
- Contador busts open the bubbly after holding his pink jersey by just four seconds.
- The stage featured narrow, wet descents that led to surprisingly few crashes.
- Ricco' prepares to make his move as Contador tries to pull back Di Luca himself.
- Contador was left to do the chasing himself when Di Luca attacked.
- Contador wishes he'd had more time to train before heading into the Giro.
- Sella was happy to stay in green.
- Sella leads the pink jersey group home.
- Salvodelli slaves for Di Luca.
- Ricco' was annoyed at not taking pink and blamed his inability to get in the big ring.
- A canon shoots pink confetti for the podium ceremony.
Stage 18 - Thursday, May 29: Mendrisio - Varese, 182 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Jens Voigt (CSC) storms to victory on the world championships course in Varese.
- Jens Voigt took CSC's first stage win of the 91st Giro d'Italia.
- Voigt, known for his breakaways made this one stick in Varese.
- Prepared for the rain Alessandro Vanotti's got his gear stashed in a clever place.
- Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) checks the skies to see if the sun might come out - he was disappointed.
- Alberto Contador signs in for his fourth day in pink.
- Christian Vande Velde and Contador share a laugh before the start of stage 18.
- Paralympian Fabrizio Macchi and Stefano Zanini were at the start in Mendrioso.
- Jens Voigt took his first Giro stage with a long solo escape.
- Visconti, Nocentini and Bosisio were denied by Voigt's cagey tactics.
- Jens Voigt's director was unsure that the CSC rider could make it, and thought he had attacked too soon.
- German Jens Voigt enjoys a clean, dry jersey on the podium after a wet stage.
- Voigt douses the audience with champagne.
- Danilo Di Luca looking a bit soggy after a long, wet stage.
- Alberto Contador is getting comfortable with the colour pink.
- Bettini and Bennati shake hands after losing out on the stage win in Veneto.
- Contador had a calm day but will face full on attacks for the next two stages.
- Victor Cordero congratulates Contador as Giro director Angelo Zomegnan looks on.
Stage 17 - Wednesday, May 28: Sondrio - Locarno, 192 Km
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Images by AFP Photo
- André Greipel and Mark Cavendish celebrate a one-two for Team High Road on stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia.
- André Greipel led out the sprint for Cavendish and just kept on going.
- The German celebrates his first victory since January, when he took four stages of the Tour Down Under.
- Greipel contemplates exchanging his lead-out role on a more permanent basis.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) wrestles with the maglia rosa...
- ...but gets there in the end.
- The Spaniard has four more stages to defend his race lead.
- Contador gives the photographers a good soaking.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- High Road goes 1-2 on the Giro's 17th stage.
- André Greipel takes stage 17 ahead of Cavendish, his team-mate.
- Greipel finally realizes he's won! And lets out a yell of joy.
- Mark Cavendish celebrated first even though Greipel won.
- André Greipel gets his first taste of Giro podium glory.
- Daniele Bennati will save this bottle of Prosecco for later, and not drink it before the start!
- Even monks enjoy the Giro!
- Alberto Contador prepares the spray of champagne.
- Contador celebrated day three in pink with a big bottle of champagne.
- The spray of champagne gets bigger every day.
- Alberto Contador on the podium after holding the maglia rosa.
- Confetti for the maglia rosa. Alberto Contador.
- Alberto Contador tosses the bouquet after getting his third pink jersey.
- Contador has many hats but all to sign and give away.
- Alberto Contador signs hats … one of the jobs of the maglia rosa.
- Paolo Bettini has his bib number sublimated on his World Champion's jersey.
Stage Rest Day - Tuesday, May 27: ,
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- There may be enough calories in this shake to make up for the previous day's efforts.
- Alberto Contador on the rest day.
- Contador spins his legs on the rollers before heading out to view the climbs of the days ahead.
- The mountains are still covered in snow as Astana heads up to check out the climbs of the stages ahead.
- Contador raises a toast to gigantic pink milkshakes.
- Levi Leipheimer and Contador check out the latest issue of the Gazzetta.
- Contador heads up to view the Mortirolo.
- Alberto Contador follow's the cyclists' credo: Why stand if you can sit?
- The pink jersey gets a big pink shake on the rest day.
- Danilo Di Luca's LPR team hits the roads for an easy spin.
- The LPR Brakes team rides on the rest day.
Stage 16 - Monday, May 26: San Vigilio Di Marebbe - Plan De Corones (Individual Time Trial), 13.8 Km
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- Gilberto Simoni (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) had a good day and finished third.
- Pellizotti suffers his way to victory.
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare) held the best intermediate time but came up six seconds short of winning his third stage in a row.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) is the king of the Plan de Corones time trial.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) kept the pink jersey.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- The final 300 metres of the climb was covered with tifosi - and a little snow.
- Riders used the ski lifts to travel back down the mountain.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) tackles the steep, gravel section on his way to victory.
- Aussie Nick Gates (Silence Lotto) makes his way through the final 50 metres.
- Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) lost just over a minute to the winner.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) gets some vocal encouragement from a fan.
- Contador had a controlled ride to comfortably defend his maglia rose.
- The race leader gained time over most of his GC rivals today.
- The Spaniard needed his smallest gear on the steeper gravel part of the climb.
- Contador's spare bike is carried on a moto - the narrow road meant no team cars were allowed to follow riders today.
- Contador is looking ever more assured in the maglia rosa after today's tough test.
- Riccardo Ricco' set a good time to hold second overall.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) grits his teeth as he powers up the torturous final kilometre.
- Danilo Di Luca lost time on the uphill time trial.
- Paolo Bettini suffered on the climb but he wasn't the only one.
- Mauricio Ardila (Rabobank) is from Spain and somewhat used to spectacular stages like this.
- Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) would have been if someone would have lend a hand.
- Félix Rafael Cárdenas (Barloworld) is used to climbing but even he found the 24 percent a little too much.
- Gilberto Simoni powers third place.
- Levi Leipheimer didn't spend too much energy knowing that he was already out of the GC battle.
- Luis Felipe Laverde Jimenez (CSF Group Navigare) wasn't as keen as his team-mates to get to the top and lost 4'30.
- Andreas Klöden (Astana) also had to say good-bye to the overall and will now work for Contador.
- Simoni shows that he is well-prepared for the tasks ahead.
- Vladimir Miholjevic (Liquigas) made use of the whole road as he zig-zagged up the climb.
- Vasili Kiryienka (Tinkoff Credit Systems) had a technical problem close to the top and walked the last few hundred metres to the finish.
- Matthew Lloyd (Silence - Lotto) has done easier races in his life.
- Luca Mazzanti (Tinkoff Credit Systems) got motivation by the spectators on the side of the road.
- Domenico Pozzovivo (CSF Group Navigare) got eight and had yet another good showing for the Italian squad.
- There were no following cars allowed but at least motorbikes, who had to carry the spare bikes, just in case.
- Paolo Savoldelli (LPR Brakes) prefers steep descents
- Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne) lost almost four minutes on the tough grind up.
- Andrea Tonti (Quick Step) does not look amused.
- Sylvester Szmyd (Lampre) was two and a half minutes down which was an OK ride for him. He will continue to look out for his captain, Marzio Bruseghin.
- Denis Menchov (Rabobank) looks a little off-centre on the tough stuff.
- Tadej Valjavec (AG2R La Mondiale) tried to shift his weight for ward by letting his tongue hang out - anything to prevent from slipping.
- Christian Vande Velde (Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30) is happy to be still in the race although maybe he would have preferred to sit stage out.
- Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Silence - Lotto) is a good time trialer and a good climber, which helped on na day like today.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) had more fun in pink in the first week.
- No sprint today for Erik Zabel but he had no trouble making the time cut.
- Fortunato Baliani (CSF Group Navigare) had a decent ride up to Corones.
- Alessandro Vanotti (Liquigas) was able to catch and pass Marco Velo of Milram.
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare) got second and narrowly missed the triple.
Stage 15 - Sunday, May 25: Arabba - Passo Fedaia/Marmolada (Stars Of The Dolomites), 153 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Saunier Duval is waiting in the Giro Village.
- Gilberto Simoni adjusts his radio where he is hoping he will receive encouraging time gaps later.
- Simoni is looking forward to his mountains.
- Fortunato Baliani (CSF Group Navigare) talks with José Rujano Guillen (Caisse d'Epargne)
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval - Scott) catches up on the latest news.
- The scenic start
- Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) has a good Giro and won't shy away from the mountains today.
- Pink jersey Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) before the start.
- The start area was packed
Images by AFP Photo
- Sella got a lot of encouragement from the tifosi along the way.
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare) celebrates his second win in as many days!
- Sella proved to be the strongest in both big mountain stages over the weekend.
- Sella-bration time once more
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval - Scott) almost looks like he is yawning but the tough mountain top finish was actually more painful than he wants to reveal.
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval - Scott) is trying to catch his breath, while a soigneur makes sure the Italian stays warm after the finish.
- Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana) initially struggled with the first attacks but recovered well and limited the loss to Riccò.
- Sella loves the attention and indicates the number of podium girls he wants – or was that for the number of stage winds?
- Contador knows how yellow feels and now he knows how pink feels, too.
- Contador is happy in the lead but knows that the race isn't won yet and saw Riccò very strong today.
- A double smooch for the Spaniard
- Contador has experience with French champagne and realises that the Italian bottles handle just as well.
Stage 14 - Saturday, May 24: Verona - Alpe Di Pampeago/Val Di Fiemme, 195 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) before the start.
- Damiano Cunego at the start
- The peloton taking off
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval - Scott) at the back of the field for now...
- Cunego is not doing the Giro so he can concentrate on the Tour
- Rasmussen and Contador the two who battled it out in the Tour until the Dane faced some whereabouts questions.
- Rasmussen with former colleagues from Rabobank.
- Zabel doing a last-minute email check and wondered if someone could provide him with a secret to limit the suffering.
- Cunego is all smiles as he doesn't have to race today.
- Cunego is popular in Italy and nobody was really mad at him to skip the Giro.
- The youngsters Cunego and Contador having a chat.
- Cunego with his young fans
- Contador (r) shakes hands with Rasmussen.
- Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana) is thinking about today's stage.
- Denis Menchov (Rabobank) gives it a go and the Russian proved to be strong today.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) attacked the others as his legs were responding well in the first big mountain stage.
- Contador had some trouble breathing and lost a good half minute.
- Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Silence - Lotto) is the surprise of the Giro so far.
- Astana looked good on the lower slopes of the final climb.
- Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) doing the team work duties.
- Bosisio leads his captain Danilo Di Luca up the mountains.
- Fortunato Baliani (CSF Group Navigare) grits his teeth.
- Mauricio Alberto Ardila Cano (Rabobank) climbs well
- Contador was suffering today and the question is if he will recover by tomorrow.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) also lost time but is hoping for a better day tomorrow.
- Enrico Gasparotto (Barloworld) struggles to the finish line.
- Fortunato Baliani (CSF Group Navigare) was bleeding on his lip, possible from too much gritting his teeth.
- Contador checks on the competition.
- Sella spent a lot of time out out of the saddle in the final kilometres.
- Visconti struggled in with two team-mates at his side.
- The determined face of Gilberto Simoni as he was trying to catch back up with Denis Menchov.
- Visconti couldn't hang on to the pink jersey.
- There was plenty of encouragement for Visconti and the occasional push, too. But nothing helped today.
- Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval - Scott) still shows Souvenirs from his crash, as Contador tries to hold his wheel.
- Simoni leads the chase with Riccò hanging on.
- Simoni was not too impressed with his fellow racers although he surely would admit that Menchov was the strongest today.
- Visconti got passed by many and couldn't hold this group either. But his team-mates stayed with him all the way to the finish.
- Juan Manuel Garate (Quick Step) on the left was doing the lion's share of the work.
- Christian Vande Velde (Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30) was in the escape all day long but got passed by a few riders in the end.
- Vande Velde couldn't hold on when Sella attacked.
- Bettini came in fifth today after spending a long time in the break.
- Menchov gives it a go and a few couldn't respond.
- Levi Leipheimer (Astana) was having a tough day in the mountains.
- Andreas Klöden (Astana) also struggled today.
- Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne) did a courageous ride and finished third.
- Riccardo Riccò fans on the climb
- The tifosi waiting for their heroes to struggle up the climb.
- Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) hung tough today
- Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) was in the break and managed to secure fifth place still.
- Bosisio was rewarded for his work with the maglia rosa by five seconds.
- Champagne for Bosisio!
- Sella can't believe he could hang on but was also extremely exhausted.
- Let the Sella-bration begin
Images by AFP Photo
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare) was exhausted after the finish and his brilliant solo ride.
- Sella crosses the line after a long solo escape and the second place rider almost five minutes back.
- Sella sprays the champagne
- A happy Sella gets everyone else around him wet.
- Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) has the leader's jersey
- Bosisio already won a stage and now he is five seconds ahead of Contador.
- The podium kisses feel good after a long day in the saddle.
Stage 13 - Friday, May 23: Modena - Cittadella, 192 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Mark Cavendish (High Road) takes win number two.
- Bennati enjoys a quiet moment before the start with his wife Chiara.
- Cavendish and Bennati respect each other but still will battle as hard as necessary to get those wins. 3:2 for the Italian so far.
- Mark Cavendish (Team High Road) won with a big gap and there was no need to review a photo this time.
- Cavendish takes win number two in this year's Giro.
- Mark Cavendish salutes with one finger for each win.
- A belated birthday present for Mark Cavendish.
- There was plenty of daylight between Cavendish and Bennati at the line - no photo finish on this stage!
- Cavendish scores his second stage.
- Points leader Daniele Bennati cruises along.
- Bennati sprays some pain killer on a sore left calf.
- The peloton had a light day of work.
- The group makes its first pass through Cittadella.
- Astana riders roll out.
- Alberto Ongarato kisses the baby. Perhaps training for a job in politics?
- The lead-out men shake hands after a job well done.
- Francaise des Jeux riders squeeze through the crowd.
- Hundreds of tifosi await the riders at the finish in Cittadella.
- Mark Cavendish (Team High Road) elated after winning his second Giro stage.
- Mickaël Buffaz (Cofidis) and Josu Agirre (Euskaltel - Euskadi) were the animators on stage 13
- Simon Spilak (Lampre) gets some bottles for his team.
- Giovanni Visconti finished in pink, and could only have one more day to enjoy the colour.
- Pink confetti falls on Visconti
- Giovanni Visconti and the bubbly.
- Agirre and Buffaz built up a huge lead only to see it plummet in the last half of the stage.
Images by AFP Photo
- Cavendish has taken two wins in the 91st Giro d'Italia
- Mark Cavendish (High Road) enjoys his time on the podium.
Stage 12 - Thursday, May 22: Forli - Carpi, 171 Km
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Images by AFP Photo
- High Road's Mark Cavendish and Daniele Bennati battle for the victory on stage 12.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) counts his wins now up to three for this Giro d'Italia.
- Coming out of the final bend McEwen is desperately trying to close onto Bennati's wheel.
- Bennati gets to the final turn first with a bike length on McEwen.
- At the line Cavendish and Bennati are just millimetres apart and the finish must be reviewed by the judges.
- Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) holding the white jersey for Visconti, who also leads that competition.
- Each pink jersey is sweeter than the last for Giovanni Visconti.
- The podium girls love Visconti but he's taken!
- Il Falco and the Falcon…
- Yes, yes, I get it. Falco, falcon. Haha. Just keep those talons away from my eyes.
- Rain falls on the peloton as they pass the Expo Milano sprint line.
- Giovanni Visconti gets another white jersey as best young rider.
- … and another pink jersey for best overall.
- They could make the zip a bit longer…
- Riccardo Ricco' passed through his hometown, and was met by his girlfriend at the finish.
- Farmers wave to the riders from the family auto.
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) revels in his podium time.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) has some evidence of his crash still on his left arm.
- The sprint was close!
- Giovanni Visconti is a vision in pink.
- Bennati and Erik Zabel (Milram) enjoy the morning.
- The peloton rides past fields of flowers.
- Riders are treated to some local baked goods at the start of stage 12.
- Friendly competitors. Bennati and Zabel have a laugh.
- The view of the peloton through the vines of a winery.
- Denis Menchov says, Hey! Don't hog the cookies!
- Paolo Bettini and Giovanni Visconti help themselves to the plate full of sweets.
Stage 11 - Wednesday, May 21: Urbania - Cesena, 193 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Mark Cavendish (Team High Road) awaits the start but wasn't expecting a sprint today.
- Alessandro Vanotti (Liquigas) reads the paper before the start.
- David Millar (Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30) before the start.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) at the start and posing with Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas).
- The inverse race leader Ermanno Capelli with his numero nero.
- The Liquigas crew with their sprinting leader Daniele Bennati (l).
- Saunier Duval is thinking about
- The riders setting off.
- The start of the race.
- The race started in a picturesque setting.
- The fans cheered the riders on as they set out towards the mountains.
- Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) also crashed when he was lying in a virtual pink jersey.
- Riccardo Riccò on his attack up the Monteleone.
- Alberto Contador was very attentive while Di Luca (l) was busy attacking.
- Bertolini celebrates his victory.
- Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval - Scott) went down hard and was a bit bloody when he finished.
- Bertolini gets a Giro victory after 16 years as a professional.
- The Italian can't believe it as luck certainly was on his side today.
- Alessandro Bertolini (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) takes his first career Giro d'Italia at age 36.
Images by AFP Photo
- Italian Alessandro Bertolini (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) enjoys his time on the Giro d'Italia podium.
- Alessandro Bertolini (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) was emotional as he crossed the line for his first Grand Tour stage win.
- 36 year-old Alessandro Bertolini (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) shares his spoils with the crowed.
Stage 10 - Tuesday, May 20: Pesaro - Urbino (Individual Time Trial), 36 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) won eight seconds ahead of Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana).
- Giovanni Visconti extended his overall lead with a great time trial.
- Alessandro Petacchi was on hand to watch the Giro - he can only watch as he's currently suspended.
- Savoldelli huffs and puffs his way to the line.
- All eyes were on Visconti who put in a strong performance to extend his lead in the overall.
- Bruseghin gave it his all on the final 500m steep ramp to the finish.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR) suffered badly on the climb.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) kept the pink jersey.
- Paolo Savoldelli (LPR) had to come to a stop with 300m to go.
- Riccardo Ricco' surprised by finishing 16th - nine seconds faster than Di Luca.
- Savoldelli's chain slipped and he couldn't get it back on.
- Contador finished in the rain but still slipped and slid to second.
- Savoldelli gets a push after changing bikes in the final 300 metres.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) was the day's surprise even with a fractured elbow nearly won the time trial.
- Andreas Kloeden (Astana) was expected to win, but came shy in third, 20" back.
- Levi Leipheimer (Astana) rode well, finishing 9th.
- Marco Pinotti (High Road) held the fastest time for much of the day.
- Alessandro Bertolini gets really aero.
- Danilo Hondo gets aero.
- Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre) gets buzzed by the moto.
- The Tifosi in this area are nice and not violent.
- Giario Ermetti (LPR) tackles the descent.
- Gilberto Simoni put in a strong showing to come in 10th.
- David Millar (Slipstream) descends in the stage ten time trial.
- Bruseghin is civilized and drinks his champagne from a glass!
- Mikhail Ignatiev (Tinkoff) gets some encouragement from the team car.
- Denis Menchov (Rabobank) put in a solid performance.
- Ermanno Capelli (Saunier Duval) was one of several riders whose chain couldn't take the sharp change in gradient.
- Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) accepts his prize for his second Giro time trial win.
- Leipheimer comes to the line to just make it inside the top ten.
- Jens Voigt (CSC)
- Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) rode a fine time trial to finish 7th.
- Visconti was well coordinated in pink with his red Specialized .
Stage 9 - Sunday, May 18: Civitavecchia - San Vincenzo, 194 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) thought he had it won… but Bennati had a well-timed bike throw.
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) believes he's won and the race jury proved him correct.
- The sprint opens up and Bennati slowly closes the door on Zabel.
- Paolo Bettini begins to reconsider the effort, and decides to sit up and wait for the sprint.
- Points leader Riccardo Ricco' tails Bettini.
- Bettini leads a small chasing group on the final climb of the day.
- Giovanni Visconti enjoyed another day in pink.
- Paolo Bettini followed by Riccardo Ricco'
- Gilberto Simoni backs his way in to the start line.
- Luciano Pagliarini (Saunier Duval) enjoying the day.
- Bettini and Ricco' are just about to give up when Sella joined them, and went right on by.
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group) launches his attack to bridge to the leaders.
- A kiss for Visconti from his girlfriend.
- It was a beautiful day for the riders in Tuscany.
- Spanish champ Joaquin Rodriguez
- A happy Visconti family with pink jersey, Giovanni.
- The break of the day: Yuriy Krivtsov (AG2R La Mondiale) and Mickaël Buffaz (Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone)
- Paulo Bettini wanted to win in his native Tuscany, but was denied.
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) gets ready for the start.
- Mark Cavendish (High Road) is annoyed at CSF's Tiziano dall'Antonia.
Stage 8 - Saturday, May 17: Rivisondoli - Tivoli, 200 Km
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- Team-mates Bettini (l) and Visconti before the stage.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne) smiles with his 'Tirolerhut."
- José Rujano Guillen (Caisse d'Epargne) is amused, too, with the special hat worn in the Alpine regions. He'll be looking forward to hit the mountains.
- Danilo Di Luca reads the paper and finds out the latest standings.
- Di Luca in a mano a mano with Mauro Vegni.
- Raffaele Illiano (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli) with his son who is not into bike racing – yet.
- Illiano demonstrates the one-handed sign-in.
- and then the one handed baby carriage push.
- Illiano poses for the family album with Andrea Tonti (Quick Step).
- Di Luca was concentrated before the start as the finish should suit him.
- Yesterday's winner Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) wanted to keep the podium girl.
- Alberto Contador crashed mid-race but while he continue, lost his team-mate Steve Morabito.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) gets aero so his pink jersey wouldn't fly away on stage eight.
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval - Scott) takes the win ahead of Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner).
- Riccardo Riccò was very thankful to have a team-mate like Leonardo Piepoli by hi side in the finale.
- A joyful Riccò rides next to a dejected Bettini.
- The back of the group struggles with the steep slopes, some resorting to pushing their machines.
- The front group attacks the climb.
- The final climb gets steep.
- Nick Gates (Silence Lotto) gets a push.
- Riders struggle to keep going on the final climb, and get help from tifosi.
- Tifosi want to touch the maglia rosa.
- Quick Step reels in the break in hopes Bettini could take the win.
- Quick Step protects Visconti in the pink jersey.
- Contador was not too happy with the day's stage.
- Bettini was denied again this time by Ricco'.
- Adam Hansen (High Road) decides it's time to go as the break gets caught.
- Dennis Menchov (Rabobank) suffered in with the lead group.
- Piepoli reels in Pfannberger.
- Christian Pfannberger (Barloworld) tries his luck, but didn't quite have the goods.
- Ricco' salutes after winning his second stage.
- Danilo Di Luca has been suffering but hanging on as his rivals attack.
- Piepoli controls the finale for Ricco'.
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) would wave good bye to the ciclamino jersey on stage eight.
- Contador chases back on after crashing.
- The day's breakaway never got much more than six minutes.
- Sabatini drew some blood during the stage to Tivoli.
- Ricco heads to the line with Bettini unable to come around.
- Chaos mid-stage when several riders hit the pavement.
- Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval) puts the hammer down to set up his team-mate.
- The final climb to Tivoli has been used several times in Tirreno Adriatico.
- Fabio Sabatini (Milram) rubs his neck after crashing on stage eight.
- Steve Morabito (Astana) hit the deck mid-stage.
- Tiziano dall'Antonia (CSF Group Navigare) tries to get away in the last few kilometres.
- Contador looks like he worked hard to stay in the lead group.
Stage 7 - Friday, May 16: Vasto - Pescocostanzo, 179 Km
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Images by AFP Photo
- Italian rider Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) celebrates as he crosses the finish line first.
- Italian rider Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) powers in on his way to the win.
- Bubbly time for Italian rider Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) after his stage win.
- Race leader Italian champion Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) keeps his jersey another day.
- Giro leader Italian champion Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) rides with team-mates, among them World champion Paolo Bettini.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) does plenty of work today to help his team-mates.
- Italian rider Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) pedals during stage seven.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) rides with concentration.
- Spaniard Alberto Contador (Astana) takes a drink during stage seven.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) pushes the pace.
- Italian rider Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
- The peloton passes some sheep during stage seven.
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) signs in for the stage.
- Giro director Angelo Zomegnan greets 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador (Astana).
- Alberto Contador (Astana) works for the fans.
- Race leader Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) at the race start.
- Vasil Kiryienka (Tinkoff Credit Systems) starts the day's attacks.
- Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes)
- Mauricio Soler (Barloworld)
- Félix Rafael Cárdenas (Barloworld) rides in the lead escape.
- Slovenian Champion Tadej Valjavec (AG2R La Mondiale)
- Sheep watch the race go by.
- Andreas Klöden (Astana)
- Matthias Russ (Gerolsteiner) holds the maglia bianca for Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step).
- Feedbag handed out to Steve Cummings (Barloworld).
- Mark Cavendish (High Road)
- Gilberto Simoni (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli) takes a corner.
- Gianni Bugno pilots the helicopter.
- Steve Cummings (Barloworld)
- Markus Eichler (Team Milram)
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) rides in the maglia rosa.
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) rides in the maglia ciclamino.
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare) forced to stop with a flat tire.
- Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Scott) launches his attack.
- Race leader Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) after the stage.
- Germany's Andreas Klöden (Astana) after the stage.
- Paolo Savoldelli (LPR Brakes) finishes.
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott) leads Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes).
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas)
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) comes home fifth.
- Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) wins.
- Italy's Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) takes stage seven.
- Gabriele Bosisio (LPR Brakes) on the winner's podium.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) leads the charge.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) with Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott) in tow.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) leads Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott), Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Scott) and Alberto Contador (Astana).
- Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Scott) leads team-mate Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott).
- Riccò and Di Luca (l-r) duel in the stage's finale.
- Spain's Alberto Contador (Astana) is looking to be a serious GC Giro d'Italia threat.
Stage 6 - Thursday, May 15: Potenza - Peschici (Circuito Del Gargano), 247 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott) at the start of the stage.
- Little Domenico Pozzovivo (CSF Group Navigare) interviewed at the start of the day.
- Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) at the start of the stage.
- Sergey Klimov (Tinkoff Credit Systems) rolls away in Potenza.
- Oscar Gatto (Gerolsteiner) starts his day.
- Giairo Ermeti (LPR Brakes)
- World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) waves to the crowds in Potenza.
- Matteo Priamo (CSF Group Navigare) wins over Alan Pérez (Euskaltel-Euskadi).
- Matteo Priamo (CSF Group Navigare) gets his first Grand Tour victory.
- Italian Champion Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) rides in the escape group.
- Riding around the Parco Nazionale del Gargano, on Italy's east coast.
- Italy's Matteo Priamo (CSF Group Navigare) takes the win.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) at the finish line where he was to hear the news that he had enough time to take the race leader's maglia rosa.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step), 25, takes over the race leadership in the Giro d'Italia.
- Italy's Matteo Priamo (CSF Group Navigare) on the podium
- Matteo Priamo (CSF Group Navigare) after his win.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) confirms his time.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) crosses the line exhausted but happy.
- Matthias Russ (Gerolsteiner) upset with the day.
Images by AFP Photo
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) takes the maglia rosa.
- New race leader Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) puts on the maglia rosa.
Stage 5 - Wednesday, May 14: Belvedere Marittimo - Contursi Terme, 170 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott) at the start of the stage.
- Stage four winner Mark Cavendish (High Road) waves at the start of stage five.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) led home the peloton for fifth.
- Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff) is too tired to raise both arms after his winning move with 1km to go.
- David Millar waits for the team car after breaking his chain and tossing his bike.
- Pavel Brutt launches his winning move.
- Riders enjoyed stunning views.
- Riccardo Riccò
- Liquigas has matching pink and magenta jerseys
- Oleg takes a "sip".
- Oleg Tinkov had his own champagne to celebrate with.
- Angelo Zomegnan has a joke with the World Champion Paolo Bettini.
- Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) wanted a win, but Giro director Angelo Zomegnan couldn't help.
- Oleg Tinkov was overjoyed with the team's victory
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) stayed in the points jersey.
- Brutt pops open the Brut.
- Simoni and Giovanni Savio
- Emanuele Sella (CSF Group) stayed in the mountains jersey.
- Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) could have had a good finish today had the break been caught.
- Pellizott has special pink-trimmed glasses for his time in pink.
- Pellizott tucks his hair in so he looks his best for the cameras.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) enjoyed another day in pink.
- Gibo Simoni signs autographs for some tifosi at the start.
- The LPR Brakes team keeps the break in check.
- Pavel Brutt has no idea what this t-shirt says.
- Best young rider Morris Possoni (High Road) relaxes in the start village.
- British champ David Millar (Slipstream) rides ahead of eventual stage winner Pavel Brutt.
- Fröhlinger leads Perez in the day's break.
- Fröhlinger has a dig with 2km to go.
- Fun! The descent makes the climb worthwhile.
- Gilberto Simoni is relaxed waiting for the high mountains to show his stuff.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) is hiding in the peloton and biding his time in the Giro.
Images by AFP Photo
- Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff) gets his first Grand Tour victory after several attempts at breakaways.
- Brutt in major oxygen debt after hammering out the last kilometre at a pace nobody could match.
- The break of five approaches Contursi with Millar (in white) keeping a close watch on Brutt, Laverde and Perez. Fröhlinger is not pictured.
- Pavel Brutt (Tinkoff) takes his first trip to a Grand Tour podium.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) kept the pink jersey for another day.
Stage 4 - Tuesday, May 13: Pizzo Calabro - Catanzaro-Lungomare, 187 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Race leader Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) at the start.
- José Rujano (Caisse d'Epargne) prepares for the stage.
- The riders line up to start in Pizzo Calabro
- 2007 Giro winner Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) rolls out to start stage four.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) focused on the stage ahead.
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas), winner of stage three, rolls out in the maglia ciclamino.
- Team High Road's Mark Cavendish, 22, took his first win in a Grand Tour by overcoming Germany's Robert Förster (Gerolsteiner) and Italy's Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) in stage four of the 91st Giro d'Italia, 183 kilometres to Catanzaro.
- The riders depart Pizzo Calabro
- Italian champion Giovanni Visconti is always easy to spot at the start.
- Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) looking a bit banged up and tired at the start.
- Mark Cavendish heads to the start.
- Maglia ciclamino Daniele Bennati chats with Fabio Baldato.
- Bettini and Piepoli ride along on the fourth stage.
- Last year's numero nero, Oscar Gatto is jealous of Ermanno Capelli's special race number.
- The group heads up the only categorized climb of the day - the Passo di Pietra Spada.
- The toe of Italy has indigenous prickly pear known as fico d'india.
- Fans toss confetti on the riders as they pass through town.
- Italy's heroes Garibaldi and Bettini.
- The riders say goodbye to one coast and head to another.
- As usual, the scenery was fantastic.
- Mirko Lorenzetto gets a wheel change.
- Heading inland through the woods.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) in pink is well protected by his team.
- Tinkoff team owner Oleg Tinkov at the race.
- Italy's Enrico Gasparotto (Barloworld) has a look over his shoulder.
- Race leader Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) adjusts his helmet.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) has front wheel flat.
Images by AFP Photo
- Belgium's Rik Verbrugghe (Cofidis) rides solo.
- Rik Verbrugghe (Cofidis) went in the first kilometre of the day.
Stage 3 - Monday, May 12: Catania - Milazzo , 208 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Riders contemplate the stage ahead.
- Pellizotti embraces the limelight
- Serguei Klimov (Tinkoff) has a big smile for the camera.
- Enrico Gasparotto (Barloworld) awaits the sign in.
- The Slipstream boys head to sign in.
- Erik Zabel was popular among the fans at the start in Catania.
- Riccardo Riccò signs autographs in Catania.
- First and last: Filippo Savini (CSF Group Navigare) is last rider on GC, and gets the black number, while Pellizotti is first on GC in pink.
- Paolo Bettini awaits the start after signing in.
- Bennati gets congratulations from Erik Zabel.
- Kisses for the fans.
- Victory for Bennati!
- Bennati muscles his way to the win.
- Zabel tries to get past but Bennati is just too fast.
- Liquigas both defended the jersey and won the stage.
- The team time trial version two: Liquigas in control.
- Liquigas in control as the race streams past the seaside view.
- Zabel is denied by Liquigas' Daniele Bennati.
- Daniele Bennati is always clean shaven just in case he gets some podium time.
- Bennati showers the fans with champagne.
- Pellizotti cracks open the bubbly for his second day in pink.
- Sea spray dampens the riders as they head along the Sicilian coast.
- Morris Possoni (High Road) enjoys the podium time for best young rider.
- Bennati demonstrates his follow through after lobbing the flowers into the crowd.
- Pellizotti fits the pink jersey over his nose.
- Bennati seemed somewhat pleased to put on the ciclamino jersey.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) stays hydrated during the third stage.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) rides along clad entirely in pink.
- Riccardo Riccò survived a bad crash and rolled into the finish with his shorts ripped open.
- Brad McGee (Team CSC) receives some medical attention after being caught in the stage's mass crash.
- Stuart O'Grady (Team CSC) jumped back on his bike, despite obviously struggling with his collarbone.
- Enrico Gasparotto gives Mauricio Soler a push as the Colombian struggles with an injured hand.
- Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) looks a little worse for wear following his second stage crash.
Images by AFP Photo
- Liquigas set tempo in the peloton for much of the stage.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) was well protected on his first day in pink.
- The maglia rosa tackles the day's only classified climb after 53 kilometres.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) has a few words for world champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step).
- Don't mess with 'The Killer'!
- Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) holds off Erik Zabel (Milram) and Danilo Hondo (Serramenti PVC) to win stage three.
- The Tuscan savours his first stage win in the Giro d'Italia.
- Bennati also took the lead in the points classification.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) pulls on his second maglia rosa of this year's Giro.
- USA Champion Levi Leipheimer (Astana), 34, rides along in the Giro d'Italia's stage three with Italy's Marco Pinotti (High Road) (l).
Stage 2 - Sunday, May 11: Cefalu - Agrigento, 207 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- The start near the coast
- Christian Vande Velde (Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30) signs in.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) waves to the tifosi as he as signs in.
- Vande Velde with Renato Pozzetto at the start.
- Alberto Loddo (Tinkoff Credit Systems) was hoping for a sprint but it wasn't meant to be with the difficult terrain.
- The kids enjoy a moment with their hero.
- Vande Velde enjoys the time with the fans.
- Di Luca was riding fast in stage 2 and got second.
- Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) heads home.
- The break of the day with Jeremy Roy and David Loosli (Lampre)
- The sad sight of Zabriskie leaving the Giro just one day after the team's great victory.
- Patrick Calcagni fixes the bike of his team-mate Mauricio Soler (Barloworld).
- David Zabriskie crashed hard and had to abandon the race.
- Renato Pozzetto heads the Giro.
- LPR Brakes leads the peloton in the final lap.
- Paolo Bettini and Giovanni Visconti were struggling today.
- Paul Martens of Rabobank is in his first year with the ProTour.
- Rik Verbrugghe of Cofidis during stage 2.
- Denis Menchov (Rabobank) will be looking to do well later in the race.
- The peloton in the Italian country side, with scenic views into the neighbouring hills.
- Johannes Fröhlinger is carrying some secret instructions in his right hand, but they didn't quite work as team-mate Rebellin got third.
- Pellizotti in a less fortunate moment in the earlier part of the race.
- Valerio Tebaldi before the start.
- Geraint Thomas of Barloworld enjoys the Giro.
- Jens Voigt will not be expected to stay with the peloton a lot, as he will go for his trademark attacks.
- The peloton in Sicily
- Some touristy cities offer not so great road surfaces for the riders.
- Slipstream was putting the hours to bring the break back and defend the jersey.
- The peloton in mid-race.
- Christian Vande Velde (Slipstream Chipotle - H30) during the stage.
- The US American enjoyed pink but unfortunately only for a day.
- Aussie Mathew Hayman in the bunch.
- Slipstream leads the bunch.
- The US team had the responsibility to defend the jersey.
- Pellizotti sprays the champagne.
- The Giro is a colourful race.
- The sprint for victory with Riccò in yellow leading ahead of Di Luca (l) and Davide Rebellin on the right.
- Riccò celebrates his victory and is showing he is back on track.
- Riccò celebrates his win.
- Pellizotti gets the pink kiss.
- Christian Pfannberger (Barloworld) in his first Giro d'Italia.
- Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step) rides in the bunch.
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott) takes a well-deserved sip of water as he gives the thumbs up.
- Riccò beat Di Luca on the tough finish.
- The rain didn't materialise but Riccò got wet anyway.
- Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) kisses the pink jersey.
- Pellizotti can't believe it as he was taking over the lead by one second.
- A proud winner of stage 2
- Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne) tried to surprise the favourites, but was caught inside the final 100m.
- Vande Velde desperately tried to hang onto his pink jersey.
- Davide Rebellin and Franco Pellizotti were giving it their all.
- LPR was going full throttle with Savoldelli leading the bunch.
- Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval - Scott) takes the win after a hard-fought final.
- Riccò was attentive in then end and made his move at the right time.
Stage 1 - Saturday, May 10: Palermo (Team Time Trial), 28.5 Km
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Bikes and riders weren't the only attractions in Palermo today.
- High Road had a good day but couldn't pull off the win.
- Liquigas used the home court advantage for a fourth place.
- Barloworld had a great ride and surprised many by finishing fifth.
- Slipstream were the focus of much attention and the American squad did not disappoint.
- Saunier Duval make their way through the crowds at the start.
- British rider Steve Cummings leads the Barloworld team.
- Slipstream rode extremely well and won the first stage.
- Danilo Di Luca led his LPR Brakes team to sixth place on the day.
- Christian Vande Velde and his Slipstream team-mates celebrate their TTT victory in Palermo.
- David Millar and Magnus Backstedt give race leader Christian Vande Velde a lift.
- Vande Velde described today's win as the best moment of his career.
Images by AFP Photo
- Milram's Erik Zabel warms up for only the second Giro d'Italia of his 15 year career.
- The team plates for the following cars are arranged by a race official.
- Italian road race champion Gianni Visconti (Quick Step) cruises about before the start.
- World champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) has a few words with his directeur sportif.
- Tinkoff Credit Systems set an early best time before being knocked off by Slipstream.
- Team Slipstream blitzed around the streets of Palermo to take a resounding victory on stage one.
- Team CSC were eight seconds faster than Slipstream after 10 km, but faded in the second half of the race.
- Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes) wore the pink jersey as defending champion.
- Di Luca's squad came in sixth, 28 seconds behind Slipstream.
- Christian Vande Velde (Slipstream) zips up the first maglia rosa of the 2008 Giro d'Italia.
- Vande Velde's victory comes 20 years after compatriot Andy Hampsten won the 1988 Giro d'Italia.
- Vande Velde salutes the crowd in Palermo, Sicily.
Riders arrive in Palermo
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Welcome to Palermo
- The Giro d'Italia's symbol
- Transportation in Palermo
- Italy's Sicilian city Palermo hosts the start of the 91st Giro d'Italia.
- A billboard in Palermo with Alessandro Petacchi, who is not racing.
- Where to go?
- One of the Giro d'Italia's symbols
- Alberto Contador (Astana) ready for his training ride.
- Tour de France Champion Alberto Contador will lead Team Astana at the Giro d'Italia.
- Alberto Contador (Astana) enjoys a training ride around Palermo
- Spaniard Alberto Contador (Astana) with his team-mates.
- Tour Champion Alberto Contador (Astana) ready for the start of the Giro d'Italia.
- Colombia's Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) gives a thumbs up.
- Italy's Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) thinking of the Giro d'Italia.
- Italian Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) looking fit.
- Stefania Andriola is the hostess for giro.tv
- Italian Champion Giovanni Visconti (Quick Step)
- World Champ Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) sports a Ferrari cap.
- Team CSC gives a wave to the assembled Sicilian fans.
- Robbie McEwen checks out his 91st Giro Ridley
- The Tinkoff Credit Systems team returns to light up the 91st Giro d'Italia.
- Bettini made it to the stage after squeezing through the adoring mob of fans.
- Lampre took to the stage in casual wear.
- Vincenzo Nibali with Daniele Bennati and Franco Pellizotti
- Giovanni Visconti greets the fans in his Italian champion's kit.
- Visconti signs autographs for some fans.
- The team of Gilberto Simoni Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli
- Liquigas looked sharp in green at the team presentation.
- The LPR Brakes squad of defending champ Danilo Di Luca
- Danilo Di Luca and Paolo Bettini pose at the team presentation in Palermo.
- Bettini gets mobbed on his way to the podium.
- Di Luca forces a smile for a photograph with a fan.
- The nine Rabobank riders for the Giro.
- The Silence Lotto team
- Even the Sicilians love the Giro…
- The long view of Quick Step at the team presentation.
Route presentation
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Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Stefano Garzelli and Gilberto Simoni have three Giro d'Italia wins between them, and thus watch the 2008 parcours unveiling with attention.
- The 2008 Corsa Rosa is littered with time trials – four in total.
- Cunego, Simoni, Garzelli, Di Luca and Savoldelli (l-r) all have at least one Giro win.
- The Italian stars gather around the 2008 parcours – Paolo Savoldelli, Danilo Di Luca, Gilberto Simoni, Giovanni Visconti, Paolo Bettini, Riccardo Riccò and Stefano Garzelli (l-r).
- Teatro degli Arcimboldi was a crowded house on the night of December 1 for the unveiling of the 2008 Giro d'Italia.
- Giovanni Visconti knows the region of Sicilia well as he was born there. Danilo Di Luca and Gilberto Simoni (l) and Paolo Bettini (r)
Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti
- Damiano Cunego and Felice Gimondi share a moment.
- Beppe Saronni points out a spot on Damiano Cunego's coat.
- The crowd gathered for the 2008 unveiling.
- Paolo Bettini and Vuelta Director Victor Cordero pose for a shot.
- Riccardo Riccò and Gilberto Simoni will not be team-mates for the 2008 Giro.
- Teo Teocoli and Mario Cipollini are joined by Silvio Martinello (l).
- Riccardo Riccò and Leonardo Piepoli will lead Saunier at the 2008 Giro.
- Danilo Di Luca and Paolo Savoldelli will be team-mates for the 2008 season at Team LPR.
- Danilo Di Luca, Gilberto Simoni and Paolo Savoldelli are all past Giro winners.
- Riccardo Riccò reflects in his cool shades.
- Gianni Bugno was in attendance.
- Gilberto Simoni meets up with some old team-mates.
- Gimondi and the boys: Damiano Cunego and Riccardo Riccò.
- Felice Gimondi won the Giro back in the days.
- Angelo Zomegnan with the other Grand Tour big boys: Victor Cordero, Patrice Clerc and Christian Prudhomme.
- Riccardo Riccò and Leonardo Piepoli hang out with Denis Menchov.
- Saunier Riccardo Riccò and Leonardo Piepoli.
- Gimondi introduces himself to Leonardo Piepoli.
- Felice Gimondi and Riccardo Riccò are a happy couple.
- Paolo Savoldelli and his old Saeco team-mate, Mario Cipollini.
- Teo Teocoli is an Italian TV star.
- CONI's Gianni Petrucci.
- Gilberto Simoni thinks the 2008 Giro will be a good one.
- Mario Cipollini and Danilo Di Luca are former team-mates.
- Gianni Bugno and Danilo Di Luca at the presentation.
- The official presentation.
- The Teatro degli Arcimboldi was a crowded house.
- The parcours.
- Past Giro winners Damiano Cunego, Gilberto Simoni, Danilo Di Luca, Stefano Garzelli and Paolo Savoldelli.
- Paolo Bettini hangs with some past Giro winners Damiano Cunego, Gilberto Simoni, Danilo Di Luca, Stefano Garzelli and Paolo Savoldelli.
- Denis Menchov watches on.
- Damiano Cunego
- Danilo Di Luca shows 'the killer' look.
- The stage is set.
- The 2008 riders?
- Friends now but not in May. Damiano Cunego, Gilberto Simoni, Danilo Di Luca, Stefano Garzelli and Paolo Savoldelli (l-r) pose for a photo.
- Paolo Savoldelli explains to Stefano Garzelli how he will win his third Giro.
