87th Giro d'Italia - Grand Tour

Italy, May 8-30, 2004

Photos

2004 Giro d'Italia presentation
Team presentation and press conferences
Prologue - May 8: Genova ITT, 6.9 km
Stage 1 - May 9: Genova - Alba, 143 km
Stage 2 - May 10: Novi Ligure - Pontremoli, 184 km
Stage 3 - May 11: Pontremoli - Corno Alle Scale, 191 km
Stage 4 - May 12: Porretta Terme - Civitella In Val Di Chiana (Stab. Del Tongo), 184 km
Stage 5 - May 13: Civitella In Val Di Chiana (Stab. Del Tongo) - Spoleto, 177 km
Stage 6 - May 14: Spoleto - Valmontone (Polo Turistico), 164 km
Stage 7 - May 15: Frosinone - Montevergine Di Mercogliano, 214 km
Stage 8 - May 16: Giffoni Valle Piana - Policoro, 214 km
Stage 9 - May 17: Policoro - Carovigno, 142 km
Stage 10 - May 19: Porto Sant’Elpidio - Ascoli Piceno, 146 km
Stage 11 - May 20: Porto Sant’Elpidio - Cesena, 228 km
Stage 12 - May 21: Cesena - Treviso, 210 km
Stage 13 - May 22: Trieste - Altopiano Carsico ITT, 52 km
Stage 14 - May 23: Trieste - Pula/Pola, 175 km
Stage 15 - May 24: Porec/Parenzo - San Vendemiano, 234 km
Stage 16 - May 25: San Vendemiano - Falzes, 217 km
Stage 17 - May 27: Brunico - Fondo Sarnonico, 153 km
Stage 18 - May 28: Cles Val Di Non - Bormio 2000, 118 km
Stage 19 - May 29: Bormio - Presolana, 122 km
Stage 20 - May 30: Clusone - Milano, 149 km

Stage 20 - May 30: Clusone - Milano, 149 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins his ninth stage of the Giro ahead of Zanotti (2nd L), Vierhouten (L) and Pollack (2nd R). Leadout man Marco Velo finished 7th and was delighted with Petacchi's win
• C'mon a little bit louder now - Alessandro Petacchi gees up the crowd

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) enjoys a little on the bike spumante
• The four jersey wearers (not of the Apocalypse) Damiano Cunego (GC), Alessandro Petacchi (points), Rafaele Illiano (Intergiro) and Fabian Wegmann (mountains)
• Team Saeco were the big winners of the Giro
• How do you like that? Ale-Jet Petacchi sprints to his ninth stage win ahead of Zanotti (2nd L) and Vierhouten (L)
• And the winner is... Petacchi!
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) waves for the ninth time from the podium
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) won the points jersey as well as the Most Combative and Azzurri d'Italia classifications
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) is the Giro champion for 2004
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) is getting to be a dab hand with the bottle now
• Cunego and Simoni made up their differences and Simoni was geniunely happy for Cunego on the podium
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) kisses his Giro trophy
• The final podium (L to R): Serguei Gonchar (2nd), Damiano Cunego (1st) and Gilberto Simoni (3rd)

Stage 19 - May 29: Bormio - Presolana, 122 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Rafaele Illiano (Colombia Selle Italia) nears the top of the Mortirolo
• Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner) comes up the Mortirolo
• Garzelli leads Simoni on the Mortirolo
• Simoni leads Valjavec on the Mortirolo
• The crowds were dense on the Mortirolo
• Cunego and Mazzoleni stuck together the whole day
• Wegelius and Pugaci drove the maglia rosa group to within a minute of Simoni before the final climb
• Rafaele Illiano (Colombia-Selle Italia) works with Bertolini
• Tadej Valjavec (Phonak) leads Garzelli and Simoni with Sijmens and Vila still hanging on
• Garzelli and Simoni battle it out on the Vivione
• Emanuele Sella (Panaria) tried to bridge to Simoni's group on the Vivione
• Gonchar had to do a lot on the Vivione
• Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) dangles off the back
• A whole lotta suffering went on today
• Garzelli and Simoni were alone at the top of the Passo del Vivione
• Serguei Gonchar (De Nardi) leads the bunch at the top of the Passo del Vivione
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) at the top of the Vivione
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) gets ready for the descent of the Vivione
• Pellizotti and Zaugg chasing
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) was yo-yoing off the back of the maglia rosa group all day, but didn't lose too much time in the end
• Bruseghin leads Cunego and Mazzoleni on the last climb
• Cioni fights hard with Cunego in tow
• Simoni, Valjavec and Garzelli were the day's main protagonists
• Simoni puts the power down with Garzelli on his wheel
• Cioni and Cunego near the top of the Presolana
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) looked comfortable in pink, again
• Serguei Gonchar (De Nardi) riding as hard as possible to limit the gap to Simoni
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) hanging tough
• Tonkov follows Mazzoleni and Gonchar through the crowd
• Perez Cuapio and Sella riding together
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) chasing with Pellizotti
• Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) comes through on the final climb
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) checks to see who's still here
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) didn't have the best of days
• Niki Aebersold (Phonak Hearing Systems) had a good ride today to finish 20th
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) wins the stage ahead of Gilberto Simoni
• Cioni crosses the line for fourth ahead of Cunego
• Peace be with you: Stefano Garzelli on the podium
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) on the podium after his win
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) could enjoy his victory, which was hard earned
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) in pink, for the second last time
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) finally gets the spumante flowing
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) kisses his maglia rosa
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) has clinched the Giro with his ride today

Images by Olympia Photo

• Garzelli, Simoni and Valjavec fight their way through the crowds on the Mortirolo
• Dario Cioni (Fassa Bortolo) leading Damiano Cunego on the Presolana climb
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) chased by a lunatic fan

Stage 18 - May 28: Cles Val Di Non - Bormio 2000, 118 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) takes the stage win in Bormio 2000
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) now has four stage wins in this year's Giro. Can he make it five tomorrow?

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) had a great ride on the Gavia
• The maglia rosa group rides through the snow on the Gavia Pass
• There was a bit of snow on the Gavia
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) dressed warmly for the Gavia
• The Saecos set a steady but hard tempo on the Gavia
• Vladimir Miholjevic (Alessio-Bianchi) nears the top of the Gavia
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) with Juan Gomis on his wheel
• Wladimir Belli (Lampre) chases Garzelli
• Cunego and Simoni concentrate on the Gavia
• The Passo di Gavia is not an easy climb
• Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner) clenches his teeth
• Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner) tried but failed to gain any mountain points on the Gavia
• Alexandre Moos (Phonak) near the top
• Alexandre Moos (Phonak) fights his way up the Gavia
• Feeling the pinch of the Passo di Gavia
• Rain jacket on ready for the descent of the Gavia
• It looks chilly on top of the Gavia
• Vladimir Miholjevic (Alessio-Bianchi) had a great ride, but was caught on the final climb
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) after his attack on Bormio 2000
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) riding away from the gruppo maglia rosa on Bormio 2000
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) and Emanuele Sella (Panaria) go for the stage win
• Simoni and Sella being chased by Cioni, Cunego and Gonchar
• Dario Cioni (Fassa Bortolo) had his best ride today to bridge the gap to Simoni
• Serguei Gonchar (De Nardi) took over the tempo making to put time into Popovych
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) was once again untouchable today
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) forces the pace, dropping Perez Cuapio
• Cunego took over in front oblivious to the crowd around him
• Gonchar leads Cunego and Cioni towards the end
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) struggles with Perez Cuapio on his wheel
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) didn't lose much time, but it was enough for Simoni to pass him on GC
• Andrea Noe (Alessio-Bianchi) hung tough for 10th
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) dug deep again to finish 11th on the stage, 1'00 down
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) struggles up the final slopes of Bormio 2000

Stage 17 - May 27: Brunico - Fondo Sarnonico, 153 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Oscar Pozzi (Tenax) and Alessandro Bertolini (Vini Caldirola) were the day's first real escapees
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) leads a group of counter-attackers
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) had better legs today
• Fortunato Baliani (Panaria) formed part of a group on the lower slopes of the Mendola
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) was away for the first part of the climb
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) had Illiano and Moos in tow, but not for long
• Alexandre Moos (R) and Rafaele Illiano (L) go back to the peloton
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) accelerated away from the main bunch on the Passo della Mendola
• Spezialetti and Mazzoleni tow the bunch
• Cunego sits behind Mazzoleni
• Alessandro Spezialetti (Saeco) leads the gruppo maglia rosa on the Passo della Mendola
• The gruppo maglia rosa was down to 40 men on the climb
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) descends with Mazzoleni on his wheel
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) chasing with Marco Serpellini (Gerolsteiner)
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) riding comfortably in pink
• Rinaldo Nocentini (Acqua e Sapone) drives the chase group with Rafaele Illiano (R)
• Illiano and Nocentini lead the chase group behind Tonkov and Bertolini
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) and Alessandro Bertolini (Vini Caldirola) give it gas
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) all out for the finish
• Alessandro Bertolini (Alessio-Bianchi) grits his teeth after being dropped by Tonkov
• Rafaele Illiano (Colombia-Selle Italia) made a bid for third place, but was caught by the bunch
• Alessandro Spezialetti (Saeco) leads Cunego on the last climb to the finish
• The Devil tries to get acquainted with Spezialetti
• The Saeco train feels the strain
• Mauricio Ardila (Chocolade Jacques) tried a late attack for third, but it didn't happen
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) prepares his...unconventional victory salute
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) on the podium as stage winner
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) salutes from the podium
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) lets it rip. Grr.
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) once more in pink

Images by Olympia Photo

• The peloton rides through the hills in stage 17
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) has plenty of fans
• Serguei Gonchar (De Nardi) keeps an eye on Cunego during stage 17
• The Pantani tifosi were out in force during stage 17
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) is looking better and better in the maglia rosa
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) won the stage, sending a fairly obvious message to those who had let him down in the past or no longer believed in him. The gesture is equivalent to giving the finger.

Stage 16 - May 25: San Vendemiano - Falzes, 217 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) appreciating the view in the Dolomites
• The peloton snakes its way up one of the many climbs today
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) in the pink
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) leaves Perez Cuapio behind
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) powering through the remnants of the early break
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) gets the maglia rosa back, and a bit of lippy

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) signs autographs before the stage
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) didn't play a role today
• The peloton rides beside a lake
• The break works hard on the climbs
• What a view although the riders didn't have a lot of time to appreciate it
• Saeco's train worked hard behind the break
• It was a beautiful day in the Dolomites
• The tifosi lining the roads got a good slice of the action today
• Mazzoleni and Perez Cuapio leading the breakaways
• Fortunato Baliani drives the break with Wegmann on his wheel
• Simoni and Cunego before the killing blow
• The was plenty of snow in the background, but none on the roads
• Many people lined the road to see the action
• The Fassa boys pace Petacchi up the climbs
• Don't look up!
• Cunego passes Nocentini en route to victory
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) attempts to control the Simoni group
• Mazzoleni, Tonti and Wegmann helped to get Cunego into a winning position
• Niki Aebersold (Phonak) made a solo bid for victory
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) with Popo on his wheel
• The gruppo maglia rosa before it got smaller
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) all out
• Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) escaped the clutches of Simoni's group
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) leads Belli, Valjavec, Gonchar and Wegelius
• Simoni drives his group away from Popovych
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) with Pavel Tonkov on the Terento climb
• Ouch. Stefano Garzelli starts to hurt
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) really had to suffer in order not to lose too much time to Simoni
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) gives a belated victory salute
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) on the podium after winning stage 16
• Tricky but he'll get the hang of it
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) back in pink

Stage 15 - May 24: Porec/Parenzo - San Vendemiano, 234 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The peloton race along the Gulf of Venice during stage 15
• The peloton by the seaside
• Colnago-Lanbouwkrediet leads the peloton alongside the Gulf of Venice
• Daniele Righi (Lampre) leads Russell Van Hout, Giancarlo Ginestri and Mario Scirea
• Russell Van Hout (Colombia-Selle Italia) driving the break
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) very focused on the job
• Mario Scirea (Domina Vacanze) gets some TV attention
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) keeping out of the wind behind his teammates
• Bruseghin, Codol and Gustov are the hard working heros of Fassa Bortolo's silver train
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) had a better day in pink today
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) beats Robbie McEwen (L) by a wheel
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) celebrates his eighth stage win
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) with girlfriend Annachiara on the podium
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) signals eight wins from the podium
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) has a mortgage on the points jersey now
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) dons the Maglia Rosa again
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) gets a purple podium kiss

Images by Olympia Photo

• The peloton passes through a tunnel in stage 15
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins his eighth Giro stage
• This is the view that Petacchi's rivals see all too often

Stage 14 - May 23: Trieste - Pula/Pola, 175 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) grabs a feed bag from his soigneur
• So what happens when he runs out of fingers?

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) signs a jersey
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) reads up on his chances in La Gazzetta
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) reads the route card for the day
• Marlon Perez couldn't stop Crescenzo d'Amore from taking back the Intergiro jersey today
• The Giro gruppo cheered on
• The peloton passes through a tunnel
• The peloton rides along the seaside
• The leading trio enjoys support from a different nationality of fans
• Welcome to Croatia!
• The break pass through the border control
• The peloton crosses the border into Croatia
• A Croatian fan cheers on Popovych
• The Colnago-Landbouwkrediet team protecting Popovych
• Jacky Durand (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) leads the peloton
• Jacky Durand had to do a bit of work for Popovych
• Fassa Bortolo had more help from Lotto-Domo today
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) was a strong worker in the break early on
• Tonkov and Hauptman drive the breakaway
• Muraglia leads Tonkov who was part of the break until the Intergiro
• Croatian fans were rather distinctive
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) spent a relatively calm day in pink
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) has a bite to eat
• Ruggero Marzoli (Acqua e Sapone) on the front of the break
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) has time to look back at his teammate Marco Velo, who took third and was very happy
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) signals seven from the podium
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) lets it go for the seventh time
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) puts on his second Maglia Rosa
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) on the podium in pink again

Stage 13 - May 22: Trieste - Altopiano Carsico ITT, 52 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi) straps the battle helmet on
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) feeling the cold
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) wheels his machine up to the start gate
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) has that look...
• The start of the TT in Trieste
• This is how M.C. Escher would have seen the start
• A Lampre rider gets rolling
• A Saunier Duval rider sets off amidst darkening skies
• Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi) was the best against the clock today
• Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi) winds it up
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) giving it everything
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) got close to Gontchar, but failed by 18 seconds to win
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) grits his teeth
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) rides through the rain
• Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) goes hard on the climb
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) on the climb
• Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) on the climb
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) rode well, but still lost the maglia rosa
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) puts the power down on the climb
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) in action during the TT
• Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) had a solid ride to finish 9th
• Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) finished 10th today
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) was working hard
• Tadej Valjavec (Phonak) finished top 30
• Dario Cioni (Fassa Bortolo) finding it hard
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) finding it tough work
• Andrea Noe (Alessio-Bianchi) in the final kilometres
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) in the final kilometres
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) crosses the line, exhausted
• Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi) with his wife post-stage
• A happy Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi) on the podium
• Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi) wins the prize for highest spray
• You're meant to drink it!
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) with team sponsor Ernesto Colnago
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) in pink
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) prepares the cork
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) enjoys his first pink bubbly

Images by Olympia Photo

• Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) sets off
• Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi) battles the climb
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) during his time trial
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) cut a great figure through the wind

Stage 12 - May 21: Cesena - Treviso, 210 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Petacchi and Sella ride next to each other
• Yesterday's hero Emanuele Sella talking to his team director duing stage 12
• This is the image of Fassa Bortolo that the rest of the peloton saw for most of the day
• The hierarchy of a flat stage of the Giro: Fassa Bortolo, Lotto-Domo and Saeco
• Croatian champion Radoslav Rogina (Tenax) in front of the trio
• Scarselli drives the break with Rogina and Steegmans on his wheel
• Petacchi concentrates during the stage
• Geert Steegmans (Lotto-Domo) was the last survivor of the break
• The fans await the arrival of stage 12
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) guns it to the line
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) lunges for the line to win ahead of McEwen and Usov
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) gives a wide armed victory salute as he crosses the line in Treviso
• Robbie McEwen again had to settle for second
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) with girlfriend Annachiara post stage
• That's six for those who've not kept track
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) spends more quality time on the podium
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) unleashes the bubbles
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) kissed once more
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) chats to the team car during the stage

Stage 11 - May 20: Porto Sant’Elpidio - Cesena, 228 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Garate and Simoni on the front
• Cunego stayed in pink but it was hard work
• Simoni and Cunego shadowed by McGee
• Simoni and McGee close together
• Sella gets a cool douse of water as he struggles on the last climb
• Emanuele Sella (Panaria) celebrates his win

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• During stage 11 there were plenty of tributes to the deceased pirate, Marco Pantani
• Brett Lancaster (Panaria) comes through for his turn as Hamburger pulls off
• Saeco had a tough day today
• The break working hard
• The peloton rolls along during stage 11
• Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) working on his tan lines
• The Vini Caldirola train in action
• Emanuele Sella (Panaria) goes on the attack
• Cunego leads Tonkov and Garzelli during stage 11
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) keeps his head down
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) really suffered today
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre, L) keeps an eye on Garzelli and Cunego
• It was a long, hot day for most today
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) had to do a lot of work after his team fell to pieces
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) looked reasonably comfortable today
• Garzelli, Simoni and Cunego on the front, working hard
• Simoni, Cunego and Mazzoleni working together
• Waiting for Giro
• The peloton tackle one of the many climbs today
• Sella went solo with 50km to go
• Emanuele Sella (Panaria) crosses the line in Cesena
• Yeah! Emanuele Sella celebrates
• Emanuele Sella (Panaria) after the finish
• Emanuele Sella (Panaria) receives some post-race congratulations
• Emanuele Sella (Panaria) on the podium
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) on the podium in the Maglia Rosa

Stage 10 - May 19: Porto Sant’Elpidio - Ascoli Piceno, 146 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Thank you team Alessandro Petacchi applauds the work of his Fassa Bortolo train as he wins his fifth stage

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Massimo Strazzer (Saunier Duval) explains why he won't be starting today
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) does the autograph thing
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) signs autographs for different generations of fans
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) ready to go after the rest day
• For pain relief or hunger knock? Simoni's pink strips are causing a stir
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) was one of the first to attack
• Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner) drives it along
• The breakaway formed early in the stage and lasted 115 km in front
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) will get a few more days in pink yet
• Saeco rode the early part of the race in front
• The peloton winds its way towards Ascoli Piceno in stage 10
• Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) attentive in the peloton
• Bo Hamburger (Acqua e Sapone) at the head of the break
• The break led by Lanfranchi and Hamburger
• Cunego concentrates
• Fassa Bortolo and Tenax drive the chase
• This is for the team says Petacchi as he crosses the line
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) with another podium shower
• That's five wins for Mr Petacchi
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) celebrates another day in pink

Stage 9 - May 17: Policoro - Carovigno, 142 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Fred Rodriguez (Acqua e Sapone) is da man today
• Fred Rodriguez (Acqua e Sapone) beats Petacchi (L) and Furlan (R) to win stage 9
• The peloton passes cone shaped trulli houses as it heads towards Brindisi

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• It was a close finish but Rodriguez (C) got it from Petacchi (L)
• The peloton flies past with 1 lap to go. Lotto-Domo is bringing McEwen to the front.
• Fred Rodriguez (Acqua e Sapone) celebrates his win, loudly
• Fred Rodriguez (Acqua e Sapone) salutes from the podium
• Fred Rodriguez (Acqua e Sapone) gets his podium kiss
• Fred Rodriguez (Acqua e Sapone) lets the spumante fly

Stage 8 - May 16: Giffoni Valle Piana - Policoro, 214 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Petacchi and Cunego shake hands at the start
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) leads the GC (pink jersey) and the mountains (green jersey) classifications
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) pumps up the volume
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) looking forward to another stage
• Cunego and Simoni: who will wear pink in Milan?
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) obliges the fans
• Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner) gets to wear the mountains jersey, as Cunego already has the pink
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) supported by his Saeco teammates on stage
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) steps down from the sign on
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi) prepares for another long day in the saddle
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) surrounded by Colnago-Landbouwkrediet riders
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) in his first day in pink
• The peloton flying along during stage 8
• Simoni and Cunego: roles reversed today
• Petacchi powers to the line
• Petacchi crosses the line with McEwen (L) and Vaitkus (R) taking second and third. Pollack (fourth) was annoyed with McEwen, who had received a sling from a teammate in the finale, and was later relegated to last position in the bunch.
• How d'you like that boys? Alessandro Petacchi celebrates his fourth stage win
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) and his teammate and race leader Damiano Cunego after the finish
• 10 Giro stage wins in two years for Petacchi
• A big kiss for Petacchi on the podium
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) is getting to be a dab hand with the bubbly
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) up close and personal
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) on the podium after his second day in pink
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) makes no mistake this time

Images by Olympia Photo

• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins his fourth stage of this Giro
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) prepares to pull on the Maglia Rosa

Stage 7 - May 15: Frosinone - Montevergine Di Mercogliano, 214 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) looking a little tired
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) busily signs autographs
• The Saeco team wore different jerseys today, partly out of protest that Gibo wasn't allowed to ride his 6.8 kg Cannondale, and partly for the publicity value
• Simoni prepares to let off the six-13 balloons as part of Cannondale's publicity stunt
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) rides to the start, and is solicited by many tifosi for autographs
• The peloton flying along during stage 7
• Popovych enjoying the sun
• Convicts of the road?
• Saeco's chain gang set the tempo
• The break of six in action on the flat
• The peloton passes by the Caserta war cemetery
• Niki Aebersold (Phonak) leads Gobbi and Bertogliati in the break
• Saeco prepares for the last climb
• Aebersold and Mazzanti were the last men standing of the early break
• Giuseppe Muraglia (Formaggi) had a go early on the climb
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago) sits in behind Vini Caldirola
• Eddy Mazzoleni (Saeco) doing a good job for his leader Simoni
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) was closely marked today
• Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) attacked three times, but always had Cunego as a shadow
• Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) kept the pace high until 2 km to go
• Tonkov puts the power down
• Gibo making the rest hurt
• Franco Pellizotti and Andrea Noe fight to stay with the group, as does McGee
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) celebrates his victory
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) comes home in 5th place
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) recovers from his 2nd place effort
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) collapsed after the stage, having gone very deep
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) celebrates his first ever Maglia Rosa
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) finally got the bubbly flowing
• Massimo Strazzer (Saunier Duval) awarded the blue Intergiro jersey for his efforts today

Images by Olympia Photo

• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) leads Cunego, Figueras and Garzelli
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) wins the seventh stage
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) likes his new jersey
• Simoni keeps an eye on Garzelli

Stage 6 - May 14: Spoleto - Valmontone (Polo Turistico), 164 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) rides through the rain in stage 6
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins a very wet stage 6 bunch sprint

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) with F-1 driver Jarno Trulli
• Simoni does a last minute bike check
• Simoni prepares to face another stage
• The Gerolsteiner team stikes a pose before the start
• The Domina boys getting ready
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) at the start
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) steps up to the sign on
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) ready for battle
• The peloton passes the km 0 mark
• Simoni rides next to Tonkov during stage 6
• Lombardi works hard to establish the break
• One of the early breakaways that didn't work
• Fortunato Baliani (Panaria) goes it alone
• Marco Fertonani (Phonak) tried but failed to catch Baliani
• Simoni and Cunego shadow each other
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) in the pink, never far from the front
• Fassa Bortolo working hard, as always
• Fortunato Baliani (Panaria) was unfortunate when he punctured
• Petacchi crosses the line
• Andrus Aug (Domina Vacanze) on the ground after a post-finish line crash
• Andrus Aug (Domina Vacanze) is carried off after his crash
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) raises his arms (again) on the podium

Stage 5 - May 13: Civitella In Val Di Chiana (Stab. Del Tongo) - Spoleto, 177 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) was able to start stage 5
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) acquiesces to an autograph or two
• Rolling along piano in the early part of the stage
• The peloton enjoyed a drier day today
• The peloton roll past Lago di Trasimeno
• As the day warmed up Simoni stripped off his knee warmers. The trick is to get them below your heel before you unclip.
• The peloton rode through Tuscany and Umbria today
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi) receives detailed instructions from his team manager. 'Don't get dropped on the finishing climb!'
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago) comes back after a puncture
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) early on in the stage
• Many breakaways were attempted in stage 5 with little success
• Franco Pellizotti is Alessio-Bianchi's best placed rider
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) survived today's stage intact
• The Saeco team coming back after a mechanical
• Simoni riding with a purple strip on his leg to minimise pain
• Fabio Sacchi (Fassa Bortolo) has an important role as team helper
• De Nardi did a bit of work to bring back the break of six with 50 km to go
• Simoni and Cunego in pink (GC) and green (mountains)
• The break of six survived until 2 laps to go
• The peloton hits the line with three laps to go
• The peloton flying with 1 lap to go
• McEwen wins the stage ahead of a fast finishing Pollack (R), Zanotti (L) and Usov (2nd L)
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) rolls across the line with his teammates, 3'19 down
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) on the podium
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) enjoying the moment
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) now getting used to the pink fit
• Gibo on the podium with his flowers

Images by Olympia Photo

• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) speeding along in stage 5
• Oops! Alberto Loddo (Saunier Duval) runs off road
• The peloton through the looking glass
• The peloton flying through the streets of Spoleto
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) got a very fast bike change on the finishing circuits, and rejoined the peloton
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) wins the stage ahead of Olaf Pollack (R) and Marco Zanotti (L, out of shot)
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) enjoyed his first podium appearance today

Stage 4 - May 12: Porretta Terme - Civitella In Val Di Chiana (Stab. Del Tongo), 184 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) signs autographs before stage 4
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) with daughter Sofia
• Simoni tells his daughter to buckle up while his wife Arianna looks on
• Cunego and Simoni - apprentice and master
• Gibo happy before the start
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) had a quiet day today
• Vanotti (De Nardi) leads a group of six ahead of the peloton
• Andoni Aranaga (Chocolade Jacques) drives one of the few breakaways that formed today
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) enjoying his first day in pink
• Once Petacchi was back Fassa Bortolo rode a hard tempo until the finish
• Simoni and Cunego were well protected by Saeco today
• The peloton enjoying some drier roads
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins his second stage ahead of Robbie McEwen
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) crossed the line gingerly, after his crash with 250m to go
• A wounded Mario Cipollini rides to the finish
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) on the podium
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) likes his pink jersey
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) on the podium in pink for the second time
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) reclaimed the purple points jersey too

Images by Olympia Photo

• The finishing crash occurred about 250m out from the line
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins his second stage of this year's Giro

Stage 3 - May 11: Pontremoli - Corno Alle Scale, 191 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Simoni, Popovych, Cunego and Mazzoleni in the front rank on the Corno alle Scale
• Dario Cioni (Fassa Bortolo) throws his helmet to a helper on the side of the road (we hope!)
• Now I'm the man says Simoni as he crosses the line
• Simoni congratulates Cunego for a job well done after the stage
• Varying shades of red on the podium with Simoni in pink (GC) and Cunego in purple (points)
• Simoni congratulated by Saeco boss Sergio Zapella

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Cipo and Petacchi can afford to relax a little today
• The peloton stops for a group nature break
• Checking bikes while a train halts the race temporarily
• Waiting for a train in the early part of the stage
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) goes back to his team car for advice and water bottles
• McGee sits next to Mario Cipollini
• Renzo Mazzoleni (Tenax) rode a long time in front today
• Alexandre Moos (Phonak) wore the green mountains jersey for today
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) before the going got too tough
• The treno rosso (red train) of Saeco
• Cunego (in the points jersey) and Simoni looking comfortable
• Saeco's treno rosso prepare the way for Simoni
• Leonardo Giordani (De Nardi) was the first to counter attack when Mazzoleni was caught
• Giuseppe Muraglia (Formaggi) survived a short time in front on the last climb
• Simoni powers away from Cunego with less than 3 km to go
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) on his own, looking good
• Giuliano Figueras (Panaria) leads Popovych, Cunego and Pellizotti
• Dario Cioni (R) and Stefano Garzelli (L) find it tough going
• Alexandre Moos (Phonak) in a degree of difficulty (probably a 9)
• Sven Montgomery (Gerolsteiner) suffering
• McGee had to say goodbye to pink today
• Only 1.2 km to go... but it's all uphill
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) in a lot of trouble with 4 km to go
• Riders struggle up the final slopes of the Corno alle Scale
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) celebrates his win
• Cunego leads the next group across the line for second place
• Pelizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) finished third in the stage
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) home in eighth place
• Andrea Noe (Alessio-Bianchi) crosses the line
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) salutes from the podium
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) now in the Maglia Rosa
• Simoni in pink on the podium
• The Saeco team was the best today, no doubt about it
• Thumbs up for the Saeco crew

Stage 2 - May 10: Novi Ligure - Pontremoli, 184 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Mountains leader Fabian Wegmann (L) with race leader Olaf Pollack, both in Gerolsteiner
• The Gerolsteiner boyz hangin' out at the start
• Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) is the man in rosa
• Ivan Quaranta (Formaggi Pinzolo) not looking forward to today's stage at all
• Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) can afford to smile
• The early break working hard
• FDJeux.com did plenty of work to keep McGee out of trouble
• Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) rides in front of his teammate Davide Rebellin
• The breakaway begins to suffer on the final climb
• Phonak did a lot of work today
• Gorazd Stangelj (Saeco) attacks the remnants of the break
• Gorazd Stangelj (Saeco) was the last of the break to be caught
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner, R) knew that Cunego was the one to watch
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) looking ok in the centre
• Vini Caldirola rode tempo while Saeco sat in behind them on the Passo del Brattello
• Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) were both strong on the last climb
• Pavel Tonkov (L) and Vini Caldirola helped set the pace for Stefano Garzelli on the climb
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) checks to make sure he's won
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) salutes from the podium
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) gives a big smile
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) enjoying being back in pink
• Brad McGee's FDJeux.com team presented after the stage with McGee back in pink

Stage 1 - May 9: Genova - Alba, 143 km

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) has a red nose for the Fondazione Theodora to help sick children
• The FDJeux.com team avec McGee in pink and red noses
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and his red nose. It just doesn't go.
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) sporting a red nose
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) clowning around
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) at the start
• The Tenax riders relax at the start in Genova
• The kiddies (hopefully not all sick) get dressed up for the Giro
• The peloton passes through a galleria in stage 1
• The peloton rolls along the Ligurian coastline
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) in pink, during stage 1
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) had a quiet day in the peloton
• Marlon Perez (Colombia-Selle Italia) setting a steady rhythm on his own
• Marlon Perez (Colombia-Selle Italia) was away for some 70 km
• Three Fassas leading the peloton
• The Fassa Bortolo team did most of the work today and was rewarded with a stage win
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) kisses his index fingers after winning
• Petacchi and his fiancee after the finish
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) grabs a post race Fanta
• Thank you all you're a wonderful audience
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) gets ready to drench people
• Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) now in pink
• Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) receives a podium kiss
• There's an Olaf Pollack under the spray there

Images by Olympia Photo

• The peloton after the start of stage 1 from Genova to Alba
• Aussies Trent Wilson (L), Brad McGee (C) and Robbie McEwen (R)
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) rides in pink during stage 1
• Marlon Perez (Colombia-Selle Italia) was the breakaway di giorno
• I'm the Man!' says stage winner Alessandro Petacchi
• Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) enjoys the moment

Prologue - May 8: Genova ITT, 6.9 km

Images by Olympia Photo

• Andrea Ferrigato Acqua & Sapone) at the top of the course in Genova
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) in his special baroque lion themed skinsuit. Why? Because he can.
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) lets the bubbly fly
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) on the podium with his pink-clad daughter Tahlia
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) had a very respectable ride in the prologue, finishing 15th

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The prologue started under Genova's Arco della Vittoria
• Your machine is ready, Your Highness
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) ready to start
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) ready to start
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) straps the battle helmet on
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) sets off
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) ready to go
• Mario Cipollini (Domina Vacanze) on the pave
• There is only one Mario Cipollini and there's probably not enough room for another one!
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) gave it everything, and it was more than enough to win
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) drives it home
• Franco Pellizotti (Alessio-Bianchi) was solid and ended 17th
• Yaroslav Popovych (Colnago-Landbouwkrediet) had a great ride to end up third, 20 seconds behind McGee
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) rode well to finish 5th
• Igor Astarloa (Lampre) was well off the pace in 75th
• Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola) gave a lot of gas, but only finished 57th
• Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) goes for it
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) salutes from the podium
• Take a big gulp!
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) pretty in pink
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) kisses his wife Sharni after winning the prologue
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) gets a kiss from Tahlia

Images by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews.com

• After the stage finished Brad McGee collapsed into his soigneurs in a world of pain
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) explained how his ride went, once he got his breath back

Team presentation and press conferences

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Giro director Carmine Castellano interviewed on stage
• Alessandro Petacchi in a Wild West pose
• Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) interviewed on stage
• Damiano Cunego (Saeco) with his team manager Claudio Corti
• Gilberto Simoni on stage with Saeco
• Saeco is the team to beat
• Vini Caldirola on stage
• Stefano Garzelli in Vini Caldirola kit
• Davide Rebellin waves as the leader of Gerolsteiner
• Lampre has a World Champion in its midst
• Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) is a big favourite for the prologue
• Mario Cipollini came well prepared
• What the?
• Mario Cipollini gives that winning smile
• Mario Cipollini listens attentively
• Yaroslav Popovych is a year older and wiser. But can he improve on his podium place last year?
• Davide 'Tintin' Rebellin has a stage win and a maglia rosa or two as goals
• Alessandro Petacchi will be the man to watch in the sprints
• Igor Astarloa looks happy to be competing again
• Gilberto Simoni was kept busy in the pre-race press conference
• Stefano Garzelli all smiles
• We are the famous five: Alessandro Petacchi, Stefano Garzelli, Igor Astarloa, Gilberto Simoni and Davide Rebellin
• The rivals: Stefano Garzelli and Gilberto Simoni

2004 Giro d'Italia presentation

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Gilberto Simoni and Paolo Savoldelli smile for the cameras.
• No reason not to be happy for Gilberto Simoni.
• Defending champion Gilberto Simoni gives the route a big thumbs up alongside 2002 winner Paolo Savoldelli.

Images by Olympia Photo

• 2003 Giro winner Gilberto Simoni will be back to defend his title at next year's Giro d'Italia.
• A full house was in attendance to witness the unveiling of the route for the 87th edition of the Giro d'Italia.
• Paolo Savoldelli and Gilberto Simoni, 2002 and 2003 Giro winners respectively, looking stylish in their black suits.
• 2002 Giro winner Paolo Savoldelli's boyish face belies his maturity shown on the bike.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Gilberto Simoni ponders the route
• Watching highlights of the 2003 Giro
• The route is presented