At Long Last: Markus Eichler Completes Tour of Italy in Last Place

The last placed rider used to get his own black jersey, but these days the maglia nera comes in the form of a black race number and bike plate

Markus Eichler of the Italian Milram squad completed the Giro Saturday more than 4 1/2 hours behind overall winner Alberto Contador. Known as the Maglia Nera, the last place finisher, like the best placed GC, mountian, sprint and young riders, gets his own unique recognition to each day that he is in last place. In previous editions of the Giro, the maglia nera was a black jersey. Today though, it takes the form of a black number and number bike plate, and is used as a means of recognizing those that fight to finish the Giro even though they are wll behind in the classification.

Eichler won the nera going away, finishing a solid 25 minutes behind second to last place Mikhail Ignitiev of the Tinkoff team. And although he finished last, Eichler should be commended for hanging in until the bitter end, and completing the first grand tour of the season. The 26 year old will be able to use his experience in the Giro to build on the rest of his season and career. Plus, he'll be remembered as the nera in future Giro editions.

Eichler shouldn't be confused as a less than accomoplished pro, as the 26 year old has five career victories, including the Ronde van Drenthe in 2006. He'll one day finish much higher in the overall classification of a grand tour, but will always have the memory of his battle in his first try at a grand tour. His effort stands as an example of the spirit of all cyclists: never say die, never give up, and fight to the very end.

Contador Pretty in Pink with First Giro d'Italia Win

Contador and Astana showed why they should be included in every grand tour

Alberto Contador did what many doubted at the beginning of the Giro three weeks ago: win the Giro d'Italia. Behind strong support from his Astana team and shrewd tactical riding, the Spaniard was able to take his second grand tour without ever winning a a stage. Italians Riccardo Ricco, Danilo Di Luca and Emanuele Sella tried valiantly to dislodge Contador throughout the race, but were unable to turn the 25 year old away. With the victory, Contador put to rest any doubts about his status in the professional peloton. He is the best stage racer in the world, and can win even without ideal preparation for a particular race.

The revelation of the 2008 Giro, Sella took three stages, the mountain green jersey and a top ten overall

The talk must now shift to whether Astana will receive a belated invite to the Tour de France. They have shown themselves more than capable of competing on short notice, and would be a potent addition to the world's biggest bike race. Even more important, leaving the Astana team out of the Tour would decrease the legitimacy of the winner's ride. Sure the winner of the Tour would be deserving, but fans and pundits alike will mark the fact that the world's best stage racing team wasn't present.

Ricco whined and complained throughout the Giro about everything from faulty equipment to bad roads to lack of team support, earning himself a reputation as a sore loser and egotistical complainer

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme is faced with a tough decision: stubbornly stick to his guns and deal with the media and public backlash, or bow to Astana's superiority and appear at the mercy of the teams. Either way, the Frenchman will have regrets about his decision as he deals with a problem, that for better or for worse, he created. A suggestion from EuroPeloton to Mr. Prudhomme: swallow your pride and find a way to include the Kazakhstani squad. You'll regret it for the entire year if you keep them out, and you'll doubtlessly have to deal throughout this year's event with questions from the media and fans alike.

Giro Stage 18: Jens Gets His Day

Jens Voigt, the aging veteran escape artist of CSC, took a much deserved win yesterday in the Giro. The old schooler was Mr. Gruff only a day before, as he complained about riders taking illegal car pulls on earlier mountain stages. Other riders raising such concern would draw cynical glances, but not Jens. If there was ever a fair cyclist, it's Voigt.

The German all-arounder has taken the Criterium International title four times, and in each victory he has made the race. Unlike some race leaders who depend on stronger teams or riders to dictate tempo, Voigt, when on a good day, makes the race himself. It is this characteristic that makes watching him so enjoyable. He rides with a fiery confidence, is unflappable in pressure situations, and more times than not his fearlesslessness leads to success.

So was the case yesterday as Voigt powered away from an elite 12 man group composed of the big German Voigt, Bosisio, Nocentini, Cárdenas, Rodriguez, Lezaun, Spilak, Bennati, Bettini, Giovanni Visconti, Ardila Cano, and Nikolay Trusov. Of note here is that of the twelve riders of the day's break, only Lezaun (of the Euskaltal-Euskadi team) was a lesser known rider. It shows Jens Voigt's ability that he was able to outclass such a talented, select group of riders.

Voigt is known as a laid back cruiser, at least to his fans

Voigt is doing what he has done for more than 10 years: win races by being stronger mentally and physically than his competition. While uniforms and equipment have changed, Voigt's attacking style hasn't. Expect Mr. Gruff to growl again in about a month at the biggest race in the world, the Tour de France.

Checking in with the Kids at the Giro

With the Giro more than halfway over, how are the younger riders in the peloton doing? Below a brief review of those younger riders who've shined thus far in the year's first Tour. Some are already well known, while others will soon be the sport's biggest stars.

Ricco has lauded himself, but he has yet to be able to significantly gap Alberto Contador. The young rider classification will make for a nice consolation prize though

"The Cobra," or "The Ego," depending on who you talk to, Riccardo Ricco, currently leads the young rider classification. Ricco is already a well known, established pro (his arrival as an elite rider came in 2007), and has been active thus far in the Giro, riding at the front on many stages and winning two outright. He crashed in the first time trial, which is where he lost much of his time to race leader Alberto Contador. He'll likely win the white jersey going away, but will be dissappointed that he didn't net the Pink jersey too.

The new VDB (center in red) can mix it up in the hilly classics (here shown climbing at the Fleche Wallonne)

Jurgen Van Den Broeck has been the revelation of the Giro for the Silence-Lotto team. He has ridden exceedingly well in this year's Giro, and although he trails Contador, the 25 year old is showing he could be a rider to watch for the future. At worst, the Belgian will be able to support future team leaders as an good time trialist and climber.

Nibali will be a team leader within a couple of seasons, if not sooner

Vincenzo Nibali has been hyped from the beginning of the Giro as a possible dark horse contender, and he has not dissapointed. Nibali has shown himself to be a promising grand tour prospect for the rabbid Italian tifosi, and has ridden admirably in support of team leader Pellizotti. Expect him to take as many lessons as he can from this Giro, with an eye on the overall next year.

Anker Sorensen is still learning, but has shown promise early in his career

Chris Anker Sorensen was marked as a youngster to watch ahead of the Giro, but he hasn't been able to keep with the world's best in the year's first grand tour. He'll need a few more seasons under Bjarne Riis' watchful eye before he can hope to contend in a race the caliber of the Giro.

Spilak, at only 21, has a seemingly limitless upside as a big time rider

Like Anker Sorensen, Simon Spilak has underperformed at the Giro thus far, but make no mistake: the 21 year old Slovenian is a real talent who appears a promising prospect for the future. He lost a heafty 3+ minutes in the mountain time trial, and was dropped epically on stage 15 in the Dolomites, but he's right where he should be in this his first year as a true pro. Add to the puzzle that he was 9th at Flanders and 12th overall at Paris-Nice, and you have a picture of his future capabilities. His mental and physical toughness will only improve with age, to the chagrin of the rest of the peloton.

New Maglia Rosa Alberto Contador: Giro Game Over?

Alberto Contador now holds the maglia rosa after having put in a good performance climbing in the Dolomites. He rode an excellent individual time trial on Sunday, and although he didn't win the 'race of truth,' he did ride well enough to ensure that the pink jersey stays in his and Astana's hands into the final week of the Giro. He'll now look to recover over the next few stages, before the final mountian showdown later this week.

The Spaniard's competition now must ponder the inevitable: Alberto Contador is not easily dropped in the mountains, and not easily defeated in the time trials. He is a cagy, tactically sound rider competing for one of the best stage race teams in the world. He'll have excellent support from teammates Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden in the high mountains, and the best equipment money can buy in the time trials. Barring a catastrophe, Contador should arrive in Milano the winner of the 2008 Giro d'Italia.

Contador's strong time trialing skills will make it hard to beat him now that he is ahead

But not so fast, say the Italians. Danilo Di Luca, Franco Pellizotti, Gilberto Simoni, and Riccardo Ricco know the Giro's roads like the back of their hand, and will be waiting for the ideal moment to attack. Also, being from the same country, the above mentioned riders also may decide to form an alliance with each other to ensure that Contador doesn't win. After all, it has been 11 long years since a non-Italian won the Giro (Pavel Tonkov, Russia, 1996), and each of the Italians in the race will do all they can to keep the foreigner from winning.

Tonkov was the last non-Italian to win the overall title, back in 1996

The next few days will provide some much needed recovery time for each rider as they plan for the final week of action. Huge tests await the field in the Giro's final week, and the overall winner will truly be the one who has ridden the most consistently throughout the three week tour. Contador will use all of his resources to outwit and outride the competition, and it will be a difficult task for any rider (or team) to unseat the new patron of the professional peloton.

Giro Mountain Time Trial on Tap, Favorites Flex Form

The mountain time trial course, though only 12 kilometers long, is more than long enough to create big time gaps

The much anticipated mountian time trial takes place today at the Giro d'Italia, where current maglia rosa Alberto Contador will look to gain time on his rivals in the race against the clock. His closest adversaries, Riccardo Ricco, Danilo Di Luca, Dennis Menchov, and Gilberto Simoni, will hope for good results in the race of truth as they strive to wrestle the jersey away from the super Spaniard.

So what will happen? Who will win? No one can be sure, but one thing is for sure: as steep as the race is, if one is not on a good day, they will lose huge time. Likely the results on the day will show Contador, Ricco and Simoni close to each other, with Menchov and Di Luca slightly further back. Contador should be able to pick up some time on his rivals, and he'll be keen to take as much an advantage as he can so that he can defend in the high mountains later in the week.

For wildcards on the day, keep on eye on the red-hot Emanuel Sella, winner of the last two stages, and the American Levi Leipheimer. The Californian is well down on the GC, and he'll be keen to try to take a stage of the Giro to add ot already filled palmares. And if Andreas Kloden is on a good day, we could see the podium swept by Astana, signalling their hostile and sudden takeover of the 2008 Giro d'Italia.

Giro Weekend Wrap: Favorites Revealed

The weekend proved to be a decisive one for the 2008 Giro d'Italia, as the favorites for the year's first grand tour are now crystal clear. Alberto Contador, the new Maglia Rosa will be very tough to unseat in the coming days, as his time trialing and climbing skills are among the best in the world. Italians Riccardo Ricco, Gilberto Simoni, and Danilo Di Luca all remain close to the top of the classification, while the Russian Dennis Menchov also sits close to the top. While many thought Alberto Contador would be at a disadvantage coming into the Giro due to lack of preparation, it is now clear to all that he has great fitness and should be regarded as the number one favorite until another rider manages to gap him significantly. His performance thus far in the Giro reveals that he should never be underestimated as a possible winner of a grand tour.

Contador showed his class over the weekend, and now is the overall leader

Saturday marked the first time that the peloton would face a true mountain top finish to a stage. The results were interesting, as Emanuel Sella rode alone to the line, holding off a hard charging peloton lead by Dennis Menchov, Franco Pellizotti and Riccardo Ricco. Pre race favorites Danilo Di Luca, Gilberto Simoni and Alberto Contador limited their time losses, but the American Levi Leipheimer blew up on the stage, and lost over four minutes to the other favorites. Expect Leipheimer to put his all into the upcoming time trial, hoping for the stage win.

Stage 15 featured six climbs. Coming the day before the uphill time trial, riders will feel the effects of the stage for sure during the ITT

As riders came into Sundays stage, several were within a minute of the lead and the tactics promised to be tense. Contador was in the driver's seat as the best placed of the GC riders, while top hopes Simoni, Di Luca, Pellizotti, Ricco, Kloden, and Menchov lurked only a minute behind. Further down the classification were Vande Velde (2:45) and Nibali (2:01). Things were shaping up for an epic showdown in the Dolomites for the 2008 contenders on the way to the day's finish on the Passo Fedaia/Mormolada.

Tomorrow's time trial is a steep one, which should provide some big time gaps

In the end, it was Italian Emanuel Sella who took the win again again, rocketing away from the rest of the field for the victory. Right behind him though was a raging Riccardo Ricco, and behind him the rest of the GC hopes Simoni, Di Luca, Contador, and Menchov. Ricco took time out of each, but it was Contador who claimed the pink jersey with a scant 33 second lead over the explosive Ricco.

Ricco will be one to watch in tomorrow's time trial

Tomorrow's uphill time trial will work to further shuffle the general classification, but each of the top contenders should expect to have a good day. The course is a very difficult one though, with gradients as steep at 24%. If one of the top riders comes into the day less than 100%, they could find themselves losing several minutes. Look for Simoni and Ricco to outlast Di Luca, but expect Contador to put his full effort into the day, coming out as the winner.

Giro Mountains Loom, Contador Sounds Off

According to cyclingnews.com, 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador feels Gilberto Simoni has the best chance at overall victory in this year’s Giro. A Johan Bruyneel managed champion tipping a rival as the favorite. Sound familiar? Fans will remember that Lance Armstrong used the same tactics year after year in the Tour de France, citing Jan Ullrich and others as ‘bigger favorites’ than he, even though he managed to destroy the field year after year.

Contador’s voluntary giving of his opinion should scare the devil out of the rest of the GC favorites, as it was no doubt an attempt to deflect the pressure off himself and the rest of his Astana mates. However, anyone who has been following the race knows just how strong the entire Astana team is riding. Contador’s teammates Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden are both close to the top of the overall, and each is more than capable of climbing in the high mountains.

Like he has done in the past, Bruyneel has likly told his Astana squad to lay low until it counts—and then, as one of my favorite cycling fans would say (he knows who he is), “lower the boom.” Expect Astana to begin controlling the Giro today, and possibly take the pink jersey as well in the process. Whether it will be Kloden, Leipheimer or Contador is anyone’s guess, by EuroPeloton’s money is on the Spaniard to show well, and possibly win on one of theis year's hardest Giro stages.

Giro Stage 11: Soler Abandons, Visconti Defends Jersey

The Giro d'Italia continued with stage 11, a hilly jaunt the emptied the peloton into the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. The course featured almost constant hills, so the peloton was in for a tough day. And as rainy weather rolled in, the going got tougher for the 199 kilometer stage.

Stage 11 was up and down, a tough stage for all made tougher in rainy conditions

The first casualty was Juan Mauricio Soler, the climbing talent from Barloworld. Suffering from a fractured wrist, Soler dismounted his machine about half way through the stage. He'll regroup for July and another run at the mountains classification competition after an unsuccessful Giro.

Italian champ and current maglia rosa Visconti ws able to hold onto the jersey for another day

Others were involved in crashes, and some big names that hit the tarmac included Levi Leipheimer, Franco Pellizotti, and race leader Giovanni Visconti. And while Leipheimer and Pellizotti escaped unharmed, Visconti was not as lucky. He fell hard on his left arm, and was taken to hospital for x-rays immediately following the race. The results however were negative, and the maglia rosa will remain on his shoulders as he's comfirmed for the start of stage 12.

As the Giro heats up and approaches its final week, the peloton is bcoming more and more nervous, perhaps in anticipaiton of things to come. Over the next few days, it will be very important for all of the GC contenders to stay away from trouble and out of the wind. They'll need all their energy for the coming mountain stages.

Giro Time Trial Stage 10: Contador Arrives

Contador showed his superior time trialing skills again at the Giro d'Italia 2008

After the dust had settled on the 10th stage of the Giro, one name stood above all others as the biggest talking point: Alberto Contador. Last year's Tour de France champion blazed the individual time trial course, slotting the best time of the day among the GC contenders. Riding on a fractured elbow, the Spaniard showed why he is so dangerous. An amazing climber capable of quick accelerations on the steepest ramps, Contador also possesses the ability to take time out of his rivals in the time trial discipline. And he did it again at the Giro, alerting the field and the cycling public that he is a contender in this year's Giro, no matter what he or his team say.

Unlike riders like Riccardo Ricco or Gilberto Simoni, who hope to limit their losses in the time trials, Contador uses them to further increase his lead. He'll be tough adversary for the Giro field the rest of the Tour, a will his Astana team. The other two leaders of the team, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden, remain toward the top of the GC battle, as the American is about two minutes behind Contador, and teammate Kloden only a minute. As was predicted, the Astana squad will govern the tactics for the rest of the Giro, with three cards still to play.

Other surprises from stage ten? For positive, look no further than the aforementioned Simoni, who conceded only 54 seconds to Contador, and now sits comfortably in 10th place, only two minutes behind Contador. He'll have a chance if he can make Contador suffer in the high passes. For some, the time trial was decidedly negative. One such rider was Danilo Di Luca, who lost 2:03 to Contador, and now lies about a minute and a half from Contador's time. He is still well within striking distance, but he'll need to ride strong in the mountains to have a chance at the overall.

As usual, a time trial in a grand tour has shuffled the deck and revealed the true contenders of the race. Some are better off than others, but very few of the GC riders are out of the competition. All this and more should make the final week and a half at rhe Giro one of the best in recent memory.

Giro Rest Day: Ricco Hot Topic on Giro Rest Day

Riccardo Ricco is one of the hot topics at the Giro, according to Podium Cafe. Ricco, already having earned the nickname "The Ego" from the Podium Cafe fanbase, is being called out by his fellow countrymen as well, including defending Giro champion Danilo Di Luca. "The Killer" seems to feel that Ricco will lose significant time in the uphill time trial to Astana's Andreas Kloden, who has been quiet thus far in the Giro. However, Di Luca too has a good chance on the course, and should contend, as well as several others.

"Il Falco" Paolo Salvodelli will be one of the favorites in the Giro's first time trial

Even Ricco himself isn't conviced of his chances in the time trial, saying "If I lose two minutes, that would be good. I’ve worked a lot on the time trial over the winter, so I am anxious to see how I will do . . . riders such as Savoldelli, Contador, Menchov and Leipheimer will take time on the climbers; there will be other stages to recuperate the lost time."

Don't be so sure, Ricky.

Simoni will find the going tough in the individual time trial

Of the four names mentioned, Contador, Menchov, and Leipheimer are legitimate climbers capable of defending in the high mountains. Contador will be battling through a small fracture on his arm, which could hamper hisability to maintain an aerodynamic position, but Menchov and Leipheimer are at 100%, and will be ready to ride. Ricco should be careful what he claims, as the brash Italian's statements may one day soon fall on deaf ears.

Kloden knows how to suffer in the time trial discipline

In all liklihood, the upcoming time trial will eliminate several GC riders, leaving them too far from the lead to come back. Expect Simoni, Ricco, Karpets, and Nibali to take significant losses on the time trial, while Salvodelli, Di Luca, Leipheimer, Pellizotti, and Vande Velde should have decent rides. Even if Kloden or someone else wins by a significant margin, there is still plenty of racing---and climbing---left in the 2008 Giro d'Italia.

Sella Riding Stellar in 2008 Giro

Sella is an accomplished rider who has the tactical skills to win even when he isn't at his best

Emanuele Sella is having one heck of a Giro thus far, and trails GC hopes Danilo di Luca and Riccardo Ricco in the overall standings by less than ten seconds. The Italian has long performed well at the Giro, but looks particularly good so far in 2008. He has taken wins at the Giro before, and finished 10th overall in 2005. He'll look for stage wins again in 2008, but perhaps with the right conditions he could hope for even more.

Hopefully the climber will have good team support for the rest of the race, as he looks like he has the kind of form to make a real run at the podium for his continental sponsor. It would be huge for Sella and his team if he could go top five or better overall. While not the best time trialist around, Sella is a smart rider capable of limiting his losses. And when the road tilts up, look out. If not for a broken chain a few stages ago, Sella may already have had a win under his belt in the Italian grand tour. Instead, he is waiting, no doubt super-motivated, and ready to strike when the moment is right.

Giro Stage 7 and 8: Di Luca Steals Seconds, Ricco Strikes Again

As he did in last year's Giro, di Luca has used the early stages to take small time increments from his rivals

Danilo di Luca did what many expected him to do in Friday's stage 7 of the Giro, attacking the field on the way to the finish and taking valuable time away from several GC riders. Levi Leipheimer, Dennis Menchov, Andreas Kloden, Franco Pellizotti, and Gilberto Simoni all lost 49 seconds to the 'Killer,' while Juan Antonio Soler, the climbing ace from Barloworld, lost one minute and 26 seconds on the day. Di Luca dragged hiself and two other GC threats with him, as Ricardo Ricco and Alberto Contador were both strong enough to follow last year's champion.

Bettini has spent much of 2008 on the ground, which has hurt his form, not to mention his body

Meanwhile today in stage 8, Riccardo Ricco had his turn and was able to win another stage with his explosive sprint, after the field was thinned by some tough climbs before the finish. Ricco bested Italian compatriot Davide Rebellin, who for the second day was close to victory, but was lacking just that extra little bit of power needed to come around the Saunier Duvall-Scott captain. Also present at the front of today's stage was the world champion Paolo Bettini. 'Il Grillo' hasn't had the best start to his season, as he has suffered multiple crashes that have affected his form negatively in 2008.

Next Saturday's stage is when the real battle for the overall begins

Looking ahead, tomorrow's stage is a flat one, custom-tailored for the fast finishers. Look for Daniele Bennati again at the front of the bunch, as well as Danilo Hondo, and Julian Dean of the Slipstream squad. Race overall leader Giovanni Visconti will have yet another day in the maglia rosa, before Tuesday's mountain time trial. There, Visconti will probably be able to put in a good enough ride against the clock to keep the jersey again. With some luck, the current Italian champion may be able to old the jersey all the way until next Saturday, where he will surely give it up to one of the race favorites.

So Far, So Good for Astana at Giro

The Astana team is sitting pretty after three though days at the Giro, having placed their three team leaders within less than a minute of the overall, as Kloden (28 sec), Contador (30 sec) and Liepheiner (40 sec) all remain in contention in the Italian grand tour. More importantly is that fact that the teal and yellow team has avoided injuries and mental lapses, while other riders are suffering from crash-related wounds or bigger time deficits.

On the injury front, two teams have suffered big losses, as the Slipstream team lost time trialing extradonaire David Zabriskie, and the CSC juggernaut bid farewell to the Aussie Bradley McGee, who went down with a collar bone break in stage three. Both riders were riding well, and each respective team will ride the remainder of the Giro one man down.

Among the GC riders with big time deficits, Vlad Karpets is the worst off of the GC guys, lying at over 2 minutes behind, while mountain goats 'Gibo' Simoni,' Dennis Menchov, and Jose Rujano are all at over a minute. Everyone else is under a minute, as the Giro inches closer to the big mountains. The next few stages are hilly, but not hard enough to create huge time gaps. Still, riders will have plenty of opportunities to take away time from their rivals if they are vigilant and aggressive. Expect to see many more stages similar to stage 2, when Riccardo Ricco won a five up sprint over fellow GC hopefuls Di Luca, Pellizotti, and Andreas Kloden.

Giro Stage Two: Cobra Strikes, Pellizotti in Pink, Zabriskie Crashes Out

Ricco has the flambouyance of an elite stage racer, but has yet to prove he has the legs

Riccardo Ricco took the second stage of the Giro yesterday, after he outsprinted Di Luca, Salvodelli and others, taking his first big win of the year. Full of confidence, Ricco played up his chances in interviews, claiming that taking the stage win ahead of defending champ Di Luca showed he is on good form and ready for a run at the overall. He may be, but judgement must be witheld until the race heads into the high mountains, as Ricco has had trouble with consistency in the past.

Pellizotti gets to ride for himself in 2008, as Di Luca is gone and Basso is still a year away, at best

Also involved in the sprint was Franco Pellizotti of the Liquigas team, who placed a strong fourth, and in doing so took the pink jersey. An excellent result for Pellizotti, who is enjoying his captainship of the lime green and blue team, after the departing of Di Luca. Like Ricco though, Pellizotti must prove himself in the high mountains before he can be considered a legit threat for the overall win.

Zabriskie got shoda-chopped by a railroad barrier in stage two

Finally, David Zabriskie crashed out of the Giro after being involved in a mass pile-up at a railroad crossing. A multitude of riders went down, but 'Don Quixote' took the worst beating, having to be taken to hospital. In what is a shame for Slipstream, Zabriskie heads back to the states to recover and prepare for other races on the schedule. Now word yet on where he'll make his comeback, but perhaps the Triple Crown of Cycling in Pennsylvania would be a good place to start.

Maglia Rosa for Vande Velde as Slipstream Wins Giro TTT

Vande Velde used his and his team's time trialing skills to take the first leader's jersey of the 91st Giro d'Italia

The Slipstream team accomplished its' only major goal for the Giro d'Italia, as they won the stage one team time trial and put American veteran Christian Vande Velde into the pink leader's jersey. In what was a monumental moment for the American squad, team leader David Millar played a big role in pacing the team to the win. American time trial champ David Zabriskie was valuable too, but Vande Velde went over the line first, taking a much deserved win and the first maglia rosa of the 2008 Giro.

For team director Jonathan Vaughters, it was a best case scenario, as all of the pressure on the American team goes away now that they have the jersey. Their victory in the event marked the second time they've won a TTT, the other being at the Tour of Georgia. Looking ahead, Slipstream probably won't be able to hold onto the jersey for very long, as the Italians in the race who are close on time will be hungry to steal it away over the next few days.

Best of all is that Slipstream really validated themselves as a top-flight cycling team. No longer will pundits be able to claim they are inexperienced or unworthy of being in a given race. And for the Tour de France in July, they'll have confidence that they belong in the event, and can thrive, if only on the time trial stages. Gone also will be their underdog status; they'll no longer be able to take anyone by surprise, and will be marked as a dangerous team in any race they attend.

Now that Vande Velde has the pink tunic, expect him and the Slipstream team to do all they can to keep it within the argyle kit. History tells us that once a rider takes a leader's jersey, they have just that little bit more motivation within them, which allows them to do great things. Vande Velde won't be keen on giving up his jersey without a fight, and he possesses the all-around skills to remain at the front of the race in any given stage. It on't be easy though, as the stacked Giro field will be breathing down his neck around every corner and on every climb.

Petacchi Suspended, Vila Positive, But Do Fans Care?

Petacchi wasn't planning on riding the Giro this year, but his suspension will affect his planned participation in this year's Tour de France

Alessandro Petacchi lost his appeal to the CAS yesterday for his non-negative test in last year's Giro, and is now suspended until August of this year. The CAS panel determined that the Italian did in fact break the rules, but did not do so maliciously, so he faces only a one year ban.

Meanwhile, Patxi Vila, the Spaniard of the Lampre team, has reportedly tested positive for abnormal testosterone levels. He faces a two year ban if found guilty. Lampre is standing behind their rider, and urging all to suspend judgment until the counter analysis has been completed.

With more doping related news sweeping through the peloton, the question of how the sport will be affected is top of mind. Fans seem not to care about doping in the peloton. A recent survey here on Euro Peloton revealed that fans will never stop following cycling, even if convicted dopers return to cycling. Most fans seem to be jaded by the myriad problems affecting the sport. They have become numb to the doping issue, and seem perpetually ready to forgive and forget.

Vila, here shown winning a stage in Paris-Nice ahead of Floyd Landis in 2006, faces a two year ban for abnormal testosterone, just like Landis

All of this is good news for Petacchi and others, who can expect to recieve huge support from their fans as they make their comebacks. Indeed, a rider like Ivan Basso seems to be more popular than he was before his doping confession. When riders cheat, it would seem, they become more human to fans, more vulnerable. This underdog factor tends to galvanize their fan base instead of alienating it. And as long as a sponsor like Liquigas or LPR are willing to sign tainted riders, all ends well for an accused/guilty cyclist.

Slipstream to Giro: All for TTT

The "Argyle gang" will look to pour the bubbly after stage one of the Giro

The Slipstream team will have a golden opportunity to take a grand tour leader's jersey this Saturday at the 91st Giro d'Italia. At 23.6 kilometers long, the team time trial course in Palermo, Sicily will give the "Argyle Gang" a real shot at winning the first stage and putting one of their guys into the Maglia Rosa of race leader. Although a technical course, the team time trial should suit Slipstream well.

British time trial champ Milar will lead Slipstream's efforts in the Giro TTT

If they can manage to take the win on stage one, Slipstream could presumably hold the jersey until stage seven, when the road really begins to turn upward. Stages two through 6 are no cakewalk though, so defending the jersey will be difficult. Expect Slipstream to let the jersey go before stage seven should they be lucky enough to win stage one.

Zabriskie will be a huge part of Slipstream's team time trial team at the Giro

In looking at the team's chances for the entire Giro, there doesn't seem to be anyone riding for the team that can hang tough in the high mountains. Danny Pate and Christian Vande Velde are good climbers, but neither has ever shown themselves capable of following the world's best. Expect the Giro as a whole to be a primer for the young American squad, as they gain valuable knowledge ahead of the July Tour de France.

No Garzelli at Giro: An Italian Travesty

No Garzelli at the Giro is like not having Christophe Moreau at the Tour de France

Stefano Garzelli burst onto the scene of professional cycling in the year 2000, taking the overall title at the Giro with the support of his teammate, Marco Pantani. He climbed well in the high passes, and distanced his rivals further in the time trials. In 2003 he finished a second overall to a then dominant Gilberto Simoni, and netted the sixth overall position in thew 2004 edition, behind the other Saeco stage racer, Damiano Cunego. Over the years, Garzelli has shown himself at the front of the Italian stage race, and even took two stages in last years Giro.

How can a former Maglia Rosa (2000) not be invited to compete in the Giro???

But Garzelli won't be at the 2008 Giro d'Italia. One of the top Italian riders, both a stage and overall threat, will not be able to ride the event as his team was not invited. Aqua & Sapone goes way back, all the way back to the "Lion King," Mario Cipollini. Any sponsor that is more than five years into their role as financier, shouldn't one assume that they would be invited to their country's home tour? And who deserves to race more than Garzelli? A former winner and constant animator, who could be better for the overall Giro d'Italia experience? If Garzelli can't ride, then you may as well take away the other Italian fixtures over the last few years, names like Simoni, Di Luca, Salvodelli, and Pinotti.

Garzelli has had success throughout his career, and has ridden almost exclusively for Italian sponsored teams

Stefano Garzelli has only a few more years as a top cyclist, as he is fast approaching his 35th birthday this July. As a former stage and overall winner, Garzelli should get his chance each year to contest his country's home stage race. When his time is up, Garzelli will be remembered as an excellent all-around rider who was capable of winning many different types of races. He can time trial, climb, and sprint, and he has a good nose for the front of a race. When the Giro heads into the high mountains, Garzelli's big engine and tactical prowess will be missed.

Astana Giro Bound After Late Invite Comes Through

Trek bikes will once again be at a grand tour, as will Levi, Alberto, and Andreas

RCS Sport, organizers of the Giro d'Italia, have reportedly extended a last minute invite to the Astana team for the upcoming Giro d'Italia. Astana, although not ideally prepared, will still be a great addition to the race. Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, and recent Tour of Romandy winner Andreas Kloden will all be in Italy for the start, to contest the three week grand tour.

Of the three big guns on Astana that will be racing in Italy, Kloden is probably on the best form currently. But expect Johan Bruyneel's team to keep all of their options open, until one of thier star riders definitively shows they are the best for the overall. Kloden will be motivated and confident after his Romandy win, while Leipheimer and Contador will no doubt ride into form during the race.

The introduction of the Kazakstani team creates an entirely new dynamic for the Giro, as race tactics will change drastically with their inclusion. The peloton will have to mark each Astana rider closely, as all three of their team leaders are capable of changing a race on one stage. When the road tilts upward, it will be a real chore for the other teams to control the race, as Contador, Leipheimer and Kloden are all explosive talents. Each will be able to play their own hands on the high mountains, to the peril of the other teams.

So the only remaining question is why did RCS change their minds and suddenly invite Astana? Could this have to do with the UCI's recent announcement that a 'top rider' failed the biological passport program? Could the rider in question be one of the protagonists for the Giro? And if so, will one of the teams invited to the Giro be suddenly uninvited? The next few days should answer most of these questions, as the year's first grand tour prepares to commence this coming weekend.