A week of stages in the tri-Veneto, with every kind of viewing opportunity: stage starts, climbs, sprint finishes...what more could we ask? Better weather, as it turned out: for the first time in the 17 years that I've been following the Giro, the stages in our region were plaqued by downpours.
On my first day at the race, I noted the threatening skies, drove part way up the Giau pass and walked the rest of the way. I didn't want to have to drive back down such a steep road in a storm or blizzard. When I reached the top of the pass conditions were pretty grim, and I was glad I hadn't ridden my bike up, and had lots of warm clothes and rain gear in my backpack. Sure enough, clouds blew in, the temperature plumetted, the winds picked up, and rain began to lash the summit. At times like these, I'm glad that I'm not a professional cyclist.

Another exciting Giro experience awaits, and I'm ready to go!

June 27, Passo Giau (the stage finished on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo).

Fortunately for the riders, the storm had passed by the time they reached the pass. DiLuca, Mazzoleni, Simoni, Cunego, and Schleck near the summit.

Savoldelli

Bettini

Petacchi

Commesso and Bruseghin (above),
Codol and Garzelli (left)

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