News Letter

David Olle in Italy, +39 333 5959 217, anytime

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

Giro d'Italia, May 8 - 30, 2010, Report restday 1, May 11

General classification after stage 3

1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 10:07:18

2 Richie Porte (Aus) Team Saxo Bank

3 David Millar (GBr) Garmin - Transitions

Skippy report: Adam Hansen's birthday today, and while we found him, and his hotel, and interviewed his Italian team mate Marco Pinotti (on everything from football to cooking to politics), we have now lost Adam. Suspect he may have shuffled off for a birthday siesta...

Cuisine report: Last night in Vicoforte, in a friend's hotel, we sent out for pizza. ‘Punchanello Pizza' I think... anyway, I went for the Capricciosa, MBW (my beautiful wife) chose an asparagus. I do not know what the minimum thickness measurement for a pizzabase crust is, but these would have been under it. Kind of like eating an oversize rice cracker with an exceptional topping. Still excellent of course, thumbs up 8.5.

Media report: Being in Italy, it is always interesting to observe the way the race is reported. The local press can be quite like Collingwood writing their own match reports. Eight years ago when Cadel took the lead of the Giro, for one day, he was front page news of the La Gazetta. This year, about page 26 or 27... I would put it down to the fact that he did not take it from an Italian, and there was not an Italian in 2^nd place, or 3^rd, for that matter. The whole race is buried deep beyond the mid pages, under acres of world cup words (Italy are defending champs, remember) presently, but I suspect when we get a local back in pink we'll hit the front banner again. That's the way it is here.

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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