85th Giro d'Italia (GT)

Italy, May 11-June 2, 2002

Photography

Team Presentation - May 10: Groningen
Prologue - May 11: Groningen ITT, 6.5 km
Stage 1 - May 12: Groningen-Munster, 215 km
Stage 2 - May 13: Cologne-Ans/Liege, 209 km
Stage 3 - May 14: Verviers-E.s. Alzette, 206 km
Stage 4 - May 15: Esch-sur-Alzette-Strasbourg, 232 km
Stage 5 - May 17: Fossano-Limone Piemonte, 150 km
Stage 6 - May 18: Cuneo-Varazze, 190 km
Stage 7 - May 19: Circuito della Versilia, 159 km
Stage 8 - May 20: Capannori-Orvieto, 237 km
Stage 9 - May 21: Tivoli-Caserta, 201 km
Stage 10 - May 22: Maddaloni-Benevento, 118 km

Click here for photos from stages 11-20

Stage 10 - May 22: Maddaloni-Benevento, 118 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Robbie McEwen (Lotto) raises his arms as he wins the 10th stage in Benevento
• Robbie McEwen finished clearly in front of Fabrizio Guidi (Team Coast)
• Robbie McEwen relishes his second Giro stage win
• Robbie McEwen catches his breath after the stage
• Robbie McEwen gives the V sign with his final Giro stage win this year.
• Robbie McEwen congratulated by a teammate afterwards
• Maglia rosa Jens Heppner (Telekom) is seeing the world through rose coloured glasses at the moment
• Robbie McEwen raises his arms on the podium
• Robbie McEwen makes the most of the champagne bottle
• Jens Heppner gives the crowd another spray with the bottle

Stage 9 - May 21: Tivoli-Caserta, 201 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) in a happier mood at the start, signing autographs
• Stefano Garzelli surrounded by media at the start of stage 9
• Stefano Garzelli answers journalists' questions before the start of stage 9
• Stefano Garzelli in the hot seat
• Stefano Garzelli wondering whether it will be his last sign on
• Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) descends back to earth after having signed on
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) and a female friend riding to the start
• Race leader Jens Heppner rides to the start
• Michele Scarponi (Acqua e Sapone) happily signs autographs for his fans
• Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) popular among the older set
• An unbandaged Tyler Hamilton (CSC) signs pink gazetta hands before the start
• Fabrizio Guidi (Team Coast) signs autographs for the fans
• Fabrizio Guidi shows off his bike before the start
• Riders catch up on the gossip
• The solid marble offices of La Gazzetta dello Sport prove to be surprisingly portable
• Guess which publicity vans have been past these children?
• Local and very vocal children at the ninth stage of the Giro
• Police motos get ready to escort the Giro for the ninth stage
• The riders ready to roll
• A Telekom rider adjusts his in-flight entertainment system
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) - triumphs in the ninth stage ahead of Robbie McEwen (Lotto, L).
• Mario Cipollini - spreads his arms in victory
• Mario Cipollini - celebrates his win in the ninth stage, with the help of Giovanni Lombardi
• Mario Cipollini congratulated by his teammates after another win in stage 9
• Mario Cipollini has a lean and hungry look after the stage
• A long, hot day for Jens Heppner in pink
• Marco Pantani feeling the effects
• Mario Cipollini salutes the crowd from the podium
• Mario Cipollini blows a kiss to his fans from the podium
• Mario Cipollini very bubbly
• Stefano Garzelli - applauds the crowds who have supported him

Stage 8 - May 20: Capannori-Orvieto, 237 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Mario Cipollini - brings up the rear of the peloton as they ascend the final climb
• The last climb of the day proved to be too much for Fabrizio Guidi (Team Coast) to hold onto his lead
• Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme) goes for it in the final kilometre
• Aitor Gonzalez puts everything into his final attack.
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) leads the peloton in pursuit of Aitor Gonzalez
• Aitor Gonzalez gets the tongue and arm ready as he wins the stage
• Aitor Gonzalez lets it all hang out as he wins
• Francesco Casagrande (R) gets the sprint for second ahead of Gilberto Simoni (L)
• Aitor Gonzalez raises his arm on the podium
• The breakaway hero of the day, Fabrizio Guidi (Team Coast) gives a post race interview
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) gives a brief interview after the stage
• Stefano Garzelli not looking like he's part of a bike race
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) looking resigned on the podium in the green jersey
• Massimo Strazzer (Phonak) smiles as he is the owner of the Intergiro jersey
• Massimo Strazzer was really happy with the points jersey too
• Smiles all round for Massimo Strazzer
• Jens Heppner (Telekom) pulls on another pink jersey after stage 8
• Jens Heppner on the podium in pink
• Jens Heppner smiles with his third successive pink jersey

Stage 7 - May 19: Circuito della Versilia, 159 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The Rabobank Colnagos ready for action
• Jens Heppner (Telekom) looking relaxed and happy at the start of the seventh stage
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) looked slightly more composed before the start of stage 7
• Francesco Casagrande sneaks in an autograph or two before the start
• Jens Heppner (Telekom) obliges with some autographs before the start
• Daniele Nardello (Mapei) happily signs autographs for the fans
• Pavel Tonkov (Lampre) signs a few autographs
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) greets the fans
• Marco Pantani greets Giovanni Lombardi before the start
• Mario Cipollini with his good friend Giovanni Lombardi
• Mario Cipollini with a handy piece of artwork, perfect for the jersey pocket.
• Here they call it publicity...
• The advertising caravan in the Giro is subtle but brutally effective
• The crowds gather at the start
• The crowds wait for autographs at the start
• The Giro d'Italia riders of the future, aka Bambini
• The peloton race up the Colli di Pedona during stage 7 of the Giro
• The peloton on the Colli di Pedona
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) leading the peloton on the Colli di Pedona
• Jens Heppner (Telekom) leads the peloton up the Colli di Pedona during stage 7
• Denis Lunghi (Colpack) leads the way on the climb
• Oscar Pereiro (Phonak) works hard in the break
• Gianni Faresin (Gerolsteiner) drives the break up the Colli di Pedona
• Spaniard Igor Astarloa (Saeco) leads on the Colli di Pedona
• Igor Astarloa leads the breakaway group on the Colli di Pedona
• Cristian Moreni (Alessio) was the first to attack the break
• Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) with Cristian Moreni on the climb
• Rik Verbrugghe rides away from Cristian Moreni and David Cioni in the deciding move of the day
• Rik Verbrugghe on his way to another solo win
• Rik Verbrugghe raises his arm in triumph as he wins the seventh stage
• Rik Verbrugghe after his winning ride
• Jens Heppner (Telekom) practices his aim with the champagne bottle

Stage 6 - May 18: Cuneo-Varazze, 190 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• A troubled looking Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) approaches the start.
• The bike contingent stands ready befoer stage 6.
• Carmine Castellano gives a qucik interview.
• Jens Heppner (Telekom) concentrates hard during the wet and miserable sixth stage of the Giro
• Giovanni Lombardi (Acqua e Sapone) raises his arms as he wins the stage
• Giovanni Lombardi wins another wet sprint.
• Giovanni Lombardi was too good for anyone today.
• Giovanni Lombardi is congratulated on his winning ride after the finish
• Jens Heppner rides across the line in Varazze, the new maglia rosa
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei-Quick Step) finishes the sixth stage looking utterly demoralised
• Stefano Garzelli - the face says it all
• Giovanni Lombardi waves to the crowd from the podium
• Giovanni Lombardi gets his customary kiss on the podium after winning the sixth stage
• Giovanni Lombardi unleashes a spray of champagne to match his clothing
• Jens Heppner the new wearer of the maglia rosa
• Jens Heppner waves to the crowd as the new wearer of the maglia rosa
• Jens Heppner gets the champagne ready to go
• Jens Heppner lets fly with the champagne

Stage 5 - May 17: Fossano-Limone Piemonte, 150 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• An aesthetic view of the starting village in Fossano
• Fans in Fossano wait for the start of the stage
• Carmine Castellano and world champion skier Stefania Belmondo at the start.
• The castle at Fossano, with a flag waving display by the sbandieratori
• A flag waver at the start in Fossano.
• Mario Cipollini signing autographs at the start
• Stefano Garzelli signing autographs at the start
• Ivan Gotti signing autographs at the start
• Ivan Quaranta signing autographs at the start
• Paolo Savoldelli signing autographs at the start
• Something is obviously very wrong here...
• Pink clad children at the start of the stage
• More pink clad children at the start of the stage
• The peloton in action on one of the climbs during stage 5
• Fans and their bikes crowd the Colletto del Moro climb for a glimpse of the action
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) leads Francesco Casagrande (R, Fassa Bortolo), Cadel Evans (Mapei) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) at the foot of the Colletto del Moro.
• Ivan Gotti (Alessio) looks to be enjoying the race.
• The lower slopes of the Colletto del Moro saw Garzelli, Casagrande and Hamilton at the front of the peloton.
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) forces the pace on the Colletto del Moro.
• Stefano Garzelli and Francesco Casagrande tackle a steeper part of the Colletto del Moro.
• Garzelli led the peloton practically the whole way up the Colletto del Moro.
• Stefano Garzelli looking more comfortable than anyone else as he grinds up the Colletto del Moro
• Frontal view of race leader Stefano Garzelli riding up the Colletto del Moro
• Gilberto Simoni (L) was able to hang with Garzelli and Casagrande today, a good sign for the stages to come.
• Tyler Hamilton (CSC) tucked onto Simoni's wheel on one of the steepest parts of the Colletto del Moro
• The rear view of the leading group as they head to the top of the climb
• Stefano Garzelli gets ready to throw his arms in the air as he wins the fifth stage
• Stefano Garzelli maintained his leader's jersey by winning the stage

More photos of Garzelli's stage 5 win by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) looks like he might explode after taking stage 5.
• Stefano Garzelli lets out a yell to the crowd.
• Stefano Garzelli is glad he shelled out for the Maglia Rosa glasses.
• Stefano Garzelli winds down from his victory salute.
• Stefano Garzelli looks relieved as he passes the finishing line.
• Stefano Garzelli looking happy with stage 5, the Maglia Rosa, and two podium girls.

Stage 4 - May 15: Esch-sur-Alzette-Strasbourg, 232 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

How close was the finish of stage 4? The photos below show the last inches that meant so much to two competitors.

• Cipo and McEwen fight for the last inch.
• Close up - The deciding moment on the line.
• The racers relax but nobody is certain enough to claim the victory.
• Robbie brings an Australian flavour to the podium...

Photo by AFP

Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) just gets a tyre ahead of Mario Cipollini (Acqua&Sapone)

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• A possible relation of The Mouse...
• Charly Gaul, legend of Luxembourg cycling
• Mario Cipollini with Charly Gaul at the start of stage 3
• Paolo Bettini (Mapei) with Charly Gaul
• Stefano Garzelli and Charly Gaul
• Kindred spirits: Marco Pantani and Charly Gaul, both untouchable in the mountains in their day
• Marco Pantani, sans hair, gives an interview at the start
• Panaria's team director Reverberi gives an interview
• Bert Grabsch (Phonak) signs autographs for grateful fans
• The popular Esta The stand.
• The Tris stand, the sponsors of the points jersey.
• There are plenty of incentives to win a stage in the Giro. There are also these.
• The all important TV cameraman gets ready to capture the final 5 seconds of the stage
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto) with his director Claude Criquielion after the stage
• Robbie McEwen waves to the crowd with his flowers on the podium.
• A happy Robbie McEwen salutes from the podium.

Stage 3 - May 14: Verviers-E.s. Alzette, 206 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Riding a bike is habit forming
• The old and the new
• Umbrellas are only one colour in the starting village
• Stefano Garzelli and Daniele Nardello catch up on the football scores before the start
• "I said what???"
• Stefano Garzelli mobbed in pink before the start
• The Mapei-Quick Step boys line up at the start
• Belgian fans in Verviers wait for the start
• Mario Cipollini with five time Giro winner Eddy Merckx
• Two champions of the Giro: Eddy Merckx and Francesco Moser
• Champions of the Giro
• Champions of the Giro eating
• The start is always chaotic
• The peloton cruises along the Spa race track during the third stage
• The peloton ride past a sea of flowers
• A local Luxembourg fan waves the riders by
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) rides during the third stage
• Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) rides during the third stage
• Marc Streel (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) during his long solo effort
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) wins the third stage in Luxembourg
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) raises his arms as he wins
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) shouts in triumph as he wins the third stage
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) waves to the crowd with his flowers
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) sprays the crowd with champagne
• Mario Cipollini laughs on the podium after his second stage win
• Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) on the podium in the green mountains jersey
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) gets his second maglia rosa, presented by Eddy Merckx
• Stefano Garzelli in the pink
• Stefano Garzelli prepares to unleash the champagne...
• Stefano Garzelli sprays the crowd with champagne

Stage 2 - May 13: Cologne-Ans/Liege, 209 km

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Mario Cipollini stands under Cologne's famous and very old cathedral at the start
• Mario Cipollini and The Mouse at the start
• Dario Frigo and The Mouse at the start.
• The Pirate does have hair and it's black.
• The riders assemble under Cologne's cathedral for the start
• The peloton just after the start
• The peloton riding past a field of flowers
• The peloton on one of several of the day's inclines
• Mario Cipollini rides during the stage in the company of Giovanni Lombardi (Acqua e Sapone)
• Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) rides hard during the stage
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) gets a shot of grease
• Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) leads the attack on the Cote de St Nicolas
• Francesco Casagrande - leads Stefano Garzelli and Rik Verbrugghe on the Cote de St Nicolas, at the end of stage 2
• Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) stringing them out on the climb
• The leading group on the Cote de St Nicolas
• Pavel Tonkov (Lampre) suffering on the climb
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) wasn't quite on top form today, losing 25 seconds on the climb
• Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) gives it everything to hang onto the leading group
• Mario Cipollini in suffer-mode near the finish
• Franco Pellizotti (Alessio) fights to stay in contact
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) wins the stage ahead of Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo)
• Stefano Garzelli wins the stage into Ans
• Stefano Garzelli gets a hard earned kiss from the podium girls
• Stefano Garzelli prepares to uncork the champagne

Stage 1 - May 12: Groningen-Munster, 215 km

Photos by Miwako Sasaki

• Australian road champ Robbie Mcewen (Lotto-Adecco) - obviously didn't tell a great joke to his Mapei friend
• Aussie Mathew Hayman (Rabobank, centre) - just looks happy to be here in his first Grand Tour
• Cadel Evans (Mapei-Quick Step) - in deep thought before the stage 1 start
• Graeme Brown (Ceramiche Panaria-Fiordo) - looking slightly hesitant before the first stage to Munster - and no, "Brownie's" not paying a visit to Herman

Photos by Steven de Goede

• Franco Pellizotti (Alessio) - gives his thoughts on how he'll fare in today's stage
• Frank Hoj (Team Coast) - has a bad hair day, and he's happy to show it too
• Addy Engels (Rabobank) - looks like he do with a good feed, but eating a microphone isn't the answer
• Oops, I'm late! - Lars Michaelsen (Team Coast) realises he better get going before the peloton leave without him
• Could Mario Cipollini - be getting a little weary of how easy it is for him to win?

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The crowd was impressive at the start in Groningen
• A young fan watches the action from a parent's shoulders
• The Kelme boys in the start village looking very photogenic
• Race director Carmine Castellano with the Mayor of Groningen, Jacq Wallage
• Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) signs on in Groningen
• Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) with Gilberto Simoni (Saeco), last year's winner
• Juan Carlos Dominguez with Giro icon Francesco Moser
• Juan Carlos Dominguez' new friend
• Marco Pantani being piratical at the start
• Under the Martinitoren in Groningen, where the riders started the first stage
• The start in Groningen
• Young German and Italian fans
• Italian and German children cheer the riders on during the first stage
• A German fan waves the riders on to Munster
• The Acqua e Sapone riders did not have it all their own way during the long stage.
• Paolo Bettini (Mapei) inspects his bike after a fall, while a teammate waits for him.
• Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) gets a push after a mechanical
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) tries to get into the team car to change his outfit
• With the Intergiro sprint at 52km to go - Acqua&Sapone rode tempo and Lombardi led Cipo out to win the sprint and the 6" time bonus, putting Mario within 9" of race leader Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak)
• The peloton cruises along during stage 1 from Groningen to Munster
• The peloton flying along through the streets of Munster
• A Saeco rider gets his radio adjusted
• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) was caught in a late crash
• Two vs five - the odds weren't looking so good for Robbie McEwen in the closing kilometres
• Graeme Brown (Ceramiche Panaria-Fiordo) lunges - but it's only good for second against an unbeatable Cipo
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) wins the stage in front of Graeme Brown (Panaria, R) and Robbie McEwen (Lotto, L)
• Full frontal - Super Mario's on fire in 2002, and clocks up his 35th Giro victory
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) celebrates with champagne
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) raises his arms on the podium in the pink jersey
• Mario Cipollini lets fly with the champagne again
• Mario Cipollini on the podium with the girls and his pink jersey

Prologue - May 11: Groningen ITT, 6.5 km

Photos by Miwako Sasaki

• Graeme Brown (Ceramiche Panaria-Fiordo) - psyches himself up seconds before take-off
• Cadel Evans (Mapei-Quick Step) - catches up on some sleep
• Cadel Evans (Mapei-Quick Step) - seconds after blast off. Evans had a solid ride, eventually finishing in 16th place

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Giro director Carmine Castellano - with UCI president Hein Verbruggen (R) under the Martinitoren in Groningen
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) - lines up at the starting gate looking very striped.
• Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) - checks to see if everything's there before he starts
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi) - contemplates the start
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) - listens to the countdown
• Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) - concentrates at the start
• Pavel Tonkov (Lampre) - gets ready to roll
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) - the last rider off
• A Rabobank rider - starts to the appreciation of the crowd
• Prologue winner - Juan Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) flies round a corner
• Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto) - was fast, but not fast enough in the prologue
• Defending champion Gilberto Simoni (Saeco-Longoni Sport) - was happy with his prologue
• Local hope Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) - rode well to finish in eighth place.
• Francesco Casagrande (Fassa bortolo) - did not lose too much time
• Mario Cipollini (Acqua e Sapone) - in his tiger skin tights and matching bike
• Pavel Tonkov (Lampre) - did not have a great ride, and finished 141st
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) - had a respectable ride today
• Ivan Gotti (Alessio) - rides during the prologue
• Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) - focuses during the prologue in Groningen
• Julio Perez Cuapio (Panaria) - did not lose too much time today.
• Fernando Escartin (Team Coast) - concentrates on getting around a corner
• Juan Carlos Dominguez - smiles as the first pink jersey wearer.
• A happy Juan Carlos Dominguez - with his team manager Urs Freuler after the presentation (they found a Phonak sticker at last)

Photos by Bert Geerts

• Representatives for the three Grand Tours face the press in a special Q&A forum.
• Giro speaker Carmine Castellano fields questions from the press.
• Daniel Baal talks to the press as the representative of the Tour de France.
• Michele Bartoli (Fassa Bortolo) at the start.
• Rabobank's Michael Boogerd and Jan Boven lead out the peloton.
• "Grunninger" Jan Boven (Rabobank) readies himself for a home race.
• Gabriele Colombo (Aqcqua & Sapone) warms his legs before the prologue.
• Carlos Dominguez (Phonak) pulls off the difficult task of looking butch in pink.
• Fernando Escartin (Team Coast) talks to reporters before the prologue.
• New Mapei man Cadel Evans prepares for the start.
• Dario Frigo (Tacconi Sport) rides amongst the journos before the start.
• Stefano Garzelli (Mapei) looking for a repeat of the 2000 Giro.
• Sergei Gontsjar (Fasso Bortolo) does a few laps in front of fans.
• Ivan Gotti (Alessio) relaxes by the team camp.
• Bo Hamburger (Index-Alexia) puts on his competition face before the start.
• Tyler Hamilton (CSC-Tiscali) gets ready to lead his first GT team.
• No smiles from Mathew Hayman (Rabobank) as he checks in for the start.
• Dimitri Konisjev (Fassa Bortolo) kits up at the Fassa camp.
• Team cars outside the Korenbeurs building.
• Marco Pantani (Mercato Uno) meets fans.
• Ivan Quaranta (Index-Alexia) looking fashionably unkempt at the start.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) protects the team bikes at the team camp.
• Giuseppe Saronni manager Lampre-Daikin spys on some other teams before the start.
• Maximilian Sciandri (Lampre-Daikin) wonders around the start area.

Team Presentation - May 10: Groningen

Photos by Steven de Goede

• Fabrizio Guidi (Coast) - looking every bit the happy camper
• Mario Cipollini - "I can't decide whether to wear my Armani or my race clothing."
• Mario Cipollini - "Hey you, come back here! - I haven't finished with the hairspray yet."

Photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Francesco Casagrande (Fassa Bortolo) and Stefano Garzelli (Mapei-Quick Step) - looking relaxed
• Super Mario - has to think hard about this question
• The conservative and the not so conservative - Francesco Casagrande and Mario Cipollini
• Mario Cipollini places his bets - for the Giro on Gilberto Simoni
• Pavel Tonkov - winner of the Giro d'Italia in 1996 is Lampre-Daikin's man for the overall
• Gilberto Simoni - sideburns and a goat-tee are all the rage in Italy
• Last year's winner Gilberto Simoni - appreciates the response from his tifosi, while Team Manager Claudio Corti looks on ever so seriously
• Actors mimic the battle - that is about to ensue
• The paparazzi are out in force - for a race of this magnitude
• Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) - in deep thought
• The Giro's furry mascot - the question then becomes "what animal is it exactly?"
• The stage is set for a great race
• Someone's not wearing their team clothing
• Thumbs up - Garzelli, Casagrande, Cipollini and Simoni give their best impersonation of "The Fonz"
• Stefano Garzelli - listens attentively
• Dario Frigo - gives an ice-cold stare, as his surname suggests
• The boys from Fassa Bortolo - looking lean and mean
• "I've got nice pearly whites too!" - Mario Cipollini and Gilberto Simoni have a laugh together

Back to top