Take a deep breath; the spring warm-ups are behind us and the first of the three-week classics, the Giro d'Italia bicycle race, begins Saturday and runs through May 28.
After the opening four days in distant Belgium to commemorate Italians who died in a coal mine accident there 50 years ago, expect the hill climbers to shine as the organizers mapped out five mountaintop finishes once the race returns to Italy for its final 17 days.
The cyclists include 2002 and 2005 Giro winner Paolo Savoldelli, above, (#1), riding to win overall for Discovery Channel, to Jan Ullrich (#219), cycling for T-Mobile to train for July's Tour de France.
There are many contenders in between. American Tom Danielson, also Discovery, says he'd like to win the Giro this year, although he starts in support of Savoldelli. Danielson finished second, by four seconds, in last month's Tour de Georgia.
Italian Ivan Basso of Team CSC is certainly a favorite. The #2 finisher in the 2005 Tour de France says he's looking for a double this year — the Giro and the Tour. Among the CSC cyclists helping him are climber Carlos Sastre, Jens Voigt, and American Bobby Julich.
The 2004 Giro winner Damiano Cunego (Italy) is back, riding with Team Lampre. Also returning is 2003 and 2001 Giro winner Gilberto Simoni, leading the Saunier-Duval team.
Another contender is Italian Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas), who finished fourth last year.
Among the sprinters, three names come to mind. First and foremost is Allesandro Petacchi, formerly of Fasso Bortolo and now Team Milram. “Ale-Jet” has 19 stage wins.
He'll certainly be challenged at the finishes by Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) and Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto).
No shows
Leading the list of top cyclists not competing is American Floyd Landis (Phonak), who achieved a torrid spring, winning Tour of California, Paris-Nice, and Tour de Georgia. Other top US riders Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) and George Hincapie (Discovery) will be absent as well. All three are looking ahead to the Tour de France.
The Giro apparently isn't popular with American racers. Andy Hampsten is the only US winner, in 1988.
Other cyclists sitting out the Giro include Spaniards Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears), who recently won the Ardennes, and Iban Mayo (Euskaltel-Euskadi). Another Tour de France contender, Alexandre Vinokourov (Liberty Seguros) is training instead of racing. Italian Stefano Garzelli, winner of the 2000 Giro, also is absent.
Other Americans
Other US riders, in addition to Danielson and Julich, are Jason McCartney (Discovery), Jonathan McCarty (Phonak), and Aaron Olson (Saunier Duval).
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