How is it that a country which spawned Campag, Ducati, Ferrari and Armani can’t get the plumbing to work?
Last night’s hotel had the electrical switch for the shower just a couple of inches from the shower head; the difference between being scalded and freezing was two microns on the control.
The people are so friendly here in Naples; the boy in the toll booth last night gave us a row for not having the €1:60 ready – we should have known it was a pre-pay toll.
The roads are horrific, a lot of them are concrete, which has split and potholed – dire.
And on top of all the that, the pen I bought yesterday doesn’t work – surprising that – and breakfast was grim.
We’ve just been through a tunnel, on our way to the start; Dave reckons that was the nicest part of Naples we’ve seen.
La Gazzetta never let’s us down, though; there’s a huge amount about yesterday’s stage; Carlos gets a 9 out of 10.
Today, we decided to “go people” – we interviewed about a dozen riders, managers and a certain Oleg Tinkov, before the start on the sea front in Naples.
I spotted Mr. Tinkov and shot across the road for a word, I was a few words into my introduction; “you probably won’t remember me but...” when two handsome, fit looking dudes appeared from nowhere; I noticed a little gesture from the Boss – two fingers onto one of the minder’s forearms; I was OK.
However, if I can give you a piece of advice, don’t mess with Mr. Tinkov!
Having said that, he was as charismatic as I remembered, chatty and good fun, clowning around for the camera.
Our ‘sound bites’ worked well and reminded us that pros are generally a pretty sound, approachable group of people.
As soon as we did the business, we were out of there – Naples is not a place that either of us would like to re-visit.