Friday, March 29, 2024

Giro d’Italia 2012 – Stage 10: Civitavecchia – Assisi 187km. Impressive Rodriguez

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HomeDiariesGiro d’Italia 2012 – Stage 10: Civitavecchia - Assisi 187km. Impressive Rodriguez

Giorgio Moroder’s ‘The Chase’ from Midnight Express pumps out across the Civitavecchia sea front. A huge fibre glass sculpture of a nurse succumbing to the charms of a sailor – ‘Unconditional Surrender’ it’s titled – towers over us.

Civitavecchia
Unconditional Surrender. Looks like it!

The whole scene is surreal, topped off by Pippo ambling past in shorts and T-shirt.

He broke his hand yesterday and is out – but he still looks cool, pottering around Civitavecchia.

Pippo paid dearly for his mistake in the final corner yesterday.

You forget how crazy the Giro can be – this is our first stage start of the year and we’re drinking it all in.

We ‘worked the sign-on,’ snapping away as the stars pedalled past, enjoying the sun before their hard graft started.

Before our snapping sesh, we visited ex-pro Roberto Petito’s place, the ‘Gran Caffe’ complete with lots of cool pics of the owner in action and good coffee.

Roberto Petito’s place, the ‘Gran Caffe’.

It was nice to be back at a Giro stage start for the first time in a year – you forget how noisy and colourful it is. And so, the race departed Civitavecchia…

“Later that same day”…

3,200 metres to the finish, on the first of the two roller coasters to the line in Assisi.

We’ve just driven the stage – it’s a toughie, over rolling hills, uneven pavement, windy, 25 degree heat and a heart breaker of a finale.

Green rolling hills.

There weren’t many places today where you thought; ‘mega photo opportunity’ but it was nice countryside to be driving.

A beautiful Roman viaduct.

When the cavalry charge arrived, the damage wasn’t as bad as we had thought it would be.

The ‘bigs’ were all there – Scarponi, Rodriguez, Kreuziger, Hesjedal, Pozzovivo, Visconti . . .

The head of the race passes us.

The peloton had been compatto to the bottom of the climb but as soon as the turbos kicked in at the front, the rest just rode home, with no time cut to worry about.

Civitavecchia
Some – like Matt Goss – were even managing a smile.

Cav was well back, with the Imperial Guard behind him.

Civitavecchia
Cav and his imperial guard.

We caught the stage finish back at the digs – after “wi-fi hell,” that is – Rodriguez was very impressive.

But so too was NetApp’s Bartosz Huzarski – second to the little Catalan but ahead of Visconti.

NetApp are honouring the race, no question.

Civitavecchia
Ryder fought bravely but didn’t mind passing his jersey on to Joaquim Rodriguez.

Despite the screaming bairns – on a pilgrimage to Assisi – in the dining room last night, we enjoyed our meal.

That grappa to finish hit the spot – longest stage of the race tomorrow at 255 K.

We’ll talk to youz again after it.

Ciao, ciao.

Civitavecchia
The townsfolk are very nice we’re told.
Ed Hood
Ed Hood
Ed's been involved in cycling for over 50 years. In that time he's been a successful time triallist, a team manager and a sponsor of several teams and clubs. He's also a respected and successful coach and during the winter months was often working in the cabins at the Six Days for some of the world's top riders. Ed remains a massive fan of the sport and couples his extensive contacts with an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the minutiae and the history of our sport. In February 2023 however, our dear friend and beloved colleague Ed suffered a devastating stroke and faces an uncertain future; Ed has lost his ability to speak, to read, and has lost movement on the right side of his body. He's working with speech and physical therapists on rehabilitation, but all strokes are different and each patient responds differently, so unfortunately recovery is one day at a time. Ed ran his own business installing windows, and will probably not be able to work again. Please consider joining us to make a contribution to Ed's GoFundMe page to help stabilise and secure his future.

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