News Letter

In The (Time) Zone, by David Olle in Italy, +39 333 5959 217

For those in Australia, SBS2 does a daily report on the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) called by Matt Keenan in the evenings, catch them if you can.  (8.30, I think)

Giro d'Italia, May 8 - 30, 2010, Stage 18, Thursday, May 27, 151 km
Levico Terme → Brescia

We are just under Passo Gavia, where Saturday's stage is supposed to pass, before it's finish on top of Passo Tonale. It is still closed and has only a narrow trail through from the north (shaded) side.  It is looking unlikely it will be used this weekend.

Results
1      Andre Greipel (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia      3:14:59      
2     Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin - Transitions           
3     Tiziano dall'Antonia (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo

General classification
1      David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne      76:26:37      
2     Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo     0:02:27     
3     Richie Porte (Aus) Team Saxo Bank     0:02:44     
4     Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team     0:03:09     
5     Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Cervelo Test Team     0:04:41     

Skippy report:  It all starts (again) tomorrow, we rode the infamous pass of ‘mortirolo' today, and it rained all day.  Miserable.  More rain predicted for tomorrow.  We'll be watching from a bar in Edolo....ciao!

Cuisine report:  Dinner tonight, primo was ‘Due Gusti' (two tastes) Polenta Gnocchi & Gorgonzola cheese and Ravioli stuffed with minced meat and potatoe, in butter. http://twitpic.com/1rm5jr
see chocolate salami here:  http://twitpic.com/1rm3l9,

Tomorrow: Stage 19, Friday, May 28, 195 km
Brescia → Aprica
profile | map | timetable | preview |   
The Bike Race:
Three stages kick start the race in Holland, before they transfer to Savigliano in Italy's north west Piedmonte region.  From here the race heads further south, through Tuscany, across to Abruzzo before returning to the Dolomites in the north-east and the event's Grand Finale in Verona.  198 riders (14 from Australia) complete 21 stages over 3 weeks, visiting 2 countries en route, with just 2 rest days.  3,416  kilomtres, running May 8 - 30.  

The Writer:
David Olle's cycling reports are used by ABC radio's 774 DRIVE show in Melbourne, ABC radio 702 breakfast show in Sydney, ABC national overnights and 3RRR FM's Breakfasters.  He chats regularly with all.  He also created and produces the magazine style TV show ‘Topbike TV' which is seen throughout Australia and New Zealand on community televison.  The reports are also published here, www.cyclesportnews.com, along with any photos.

These reports are independent, opinionated, Australian biased, and could miss a day here and there, along with containing the odd error.

We aim to send these reports daily, while any worthy bike race is on.  You have the power to control your interest in these reports, see details below.

We also run good bike tours.

David Olle
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