CyclingRevealed's Giro '08 Perspective
Tappa 8, May 17th, Rivisondoli to Tivoli, 208 km Rolling Stage
Roman Retreat
Tivoli [image @ Wikimedia]
Today's stage races across the Lazio Region of Italy to the historic hilltown of Tivoli. Just 30 kilometers from Rome Tivoli was a famous retreat for Roman nobles and Emperors. Fresh air, magnificent gardens and an uncategorized uphill climb to the finish great the tired riders after a tough first week in the Giro d'Italia.
Roman Emperor Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli [image @ Wikimedia]
The breakaway of the day formed at 10 km into the stage and over the summit of the category 2 climb of the Forca d'Acero five riders were fully established. The five riders, Adam Hansen, Mathieu Perget, Daniele Nardello, Alessandro Spezialetti, and again today Fortunato Baliani, built a 6'13 lead at 80 km to go before the peloton started to chase.
With the peloton single file Quick Step drove the pace and began to take back time on the breakaway. Under the 45 km to go the gap was 3'50.
The breakaway was working well together but Quick Step working for the Maglia Rosa and stage favorite Paolo Bettini brought the gap slowly down:
40 km to go 3'14
35 km to go 2'26
30 km to go 1'59
25 km to go 1'45
20 km to go 1'15
15 km to go 40
The breakaway was doomed! Never say die Adam Hansen attacked off the front of the breakaway. At the bottom of the final climb Hansen had 28.
A great effort came to an end 2 km from the finish. Grouppo Compacto , it was time for contenders to perform. Danilo Di Luca struggles with the pace at the back of the peloton.
1 km to go the Maglia Rosa is fades. Di Luca is back and leading the sprint. Ricco jumps with Bettini and Davide Rebellin close. Di Luca fades as Ricco holds off Bettini for the stage win.
Stage winner Riccardo Ricco [ Images © La Gazetta ]
Giovanni Visconte struggled but held the race lead and donned the Maglia Rosa for another stage.
Return to Giro 08 ToC >>> Previous Stage >>> Next Stage >>> |
