How it happened: Live Coverage archive

Published: May. 25, 2008

01:25 PM: Good day and welcome

to VeloNews.com's Live Coverage of the 15th stage of the 91st edition of the Giro d'Italia, a tough, tough 153-kilometer race from Arabba to the top of Passo Fedaia, the "Marmolada."

Today's route features six climbs - and about 10 meters of flat ground.

The stage is highlighted by some biggies:
* Passo Pordoi: 9.2 km, averaging 6.9 percent
* Passo di San Pellegrino: 11.8 km at 6.4 percent
* Passo Giau: 15.7 km at 7.9 percent
* And the climb to summit finish at Passo Fedaia: 13.3 km at 8 percent, with some stretches reaching 18 percent.

Already over the day's first hurdle, we have another escape group, which bears a remarkable resemblance to yesterday's break, including stage winner Emanuele Sella.

Let's take a look at the composition of the break and their respective positions on GC:
36. Vladimir Miholjevic (CRO), Liquigas at 16:28
17. Paolo Bettini (ITA), Quick Step at 4:32
19. Felix Rafael Cardenas (COL), Barloworld at 4:47
21. Evgeni Petrov (RUS), Tinkoff at 5:01
25. Fortunato Baliani (ITA), CSF Group Navigare at 7:22
26. Emanuele Sella (ITA), CSF Group Navigare at 7:33
29. Vladimir Karpets (RUS), Caisse d'Epargne at 10:04
38. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne at 17:15
61. Jens Voigt (GER), CSC at 43:42.

Our escapees are working their way up the day's second climb, at the 40km point, with an advantage of 2:05.
01:28 PM: Keeping tabs

At 43km, the break has only 1:55 on the main field. A lot of these guys really moved up on GC yesterday and another break like that one could mess up the calculations of the overall contenders' plans. This is going to be a fun stage to watch, that's for sure. The ever-tenacious Sella should offer some entertainment, no?
01:29 PM: At 45km

the gap is now at 1:47.
01:30 PM: The man in the maglia rosa

Bosisio was pretty happy at sign-in today.

"We'll see if I can keep the jersey today, but I realize it will be difficult," he said. "I will try to enjoy this to the maximum. It's the highlight of my career."
01:31 PM: Gear selection

Contador will be riding a 34x27 today; most riders have a 36, but Alberto likes to spin those legs.
01:38 PM: At 47km

the gap is down to 1:40. The LPR boys are keeping close watch on this one.

LPR is facing a big challenge from Alberto Contador today, too. He's just five seconds down on GC.

"Yesterday I didn't have the day I had hoped for," said Contador. "The legs couldn't respond as I had hoped. I didn't have the kind of preparation I would have normally had before such an important race. We'll see how things go today. I'm hoping better than yesterday."
01:38 PM: At 47km

the gap is down to 1:40. The LPR boys are keeping close watch on this one.

LPR is facing a big challenge from Alberto Contador today, too. He's just five seconds down on GC.

"Yesterday I didn't have the day I had hoped for," said Contador. "The legs couldn't respond as I had hoped. I didn't have the kind of preparation I would have normally had before such an important race. We'll see how things go today. I'm hoping better than yesterday."
01:43 PM: Astana

tried to shake things up, by trying to get Levi Leipheimer into the early break on the Pordoi. When little Jose Rujano hit the accelerator, though, the American couldn't hang on and the break developed into the little group we now see off the front. Rujano, meanwhile, faded back into the peloton, having done the damage, but not benefiting from the effort himself.

Sella, however, made it. He said before the start he'd like to get into a break to scoop up some more mountain points - so he lived up to his word. With the vigilant LPR and Astana teams barking at his heels, though, it might be tough for him to win again, today.
01:44 PM: Christian Vande Velde

One of yesterday's escapees missing from today's break is Christian Vande Velde.

We talked to Vande Velde this morning and he said "a stage win is more important now than trying to defend my place in GC. Yesterday there was even a possibility to move back into the lead, but the peloton was really chasing us. It was hard all day. It was really fast at the beginning because everyone was attacking to get into the breakaway. When Sella attacked, I just didn't have the legs to follow."

Vande Velde continued: "I felt good on the last climb, but maybe I should have rode a little easier because I'm still kind of close on GC and they might not let me get away in a break. I doubt I'll try anything today - it's just going to be brutal, but there are a few more bumpy stages where I'm going to try."
01:46 PM: Nearing the summit

The escapees are within a couple of kilometers of the top of the day's second climb. They have bumped their lead to 1:56... still not an awful lot of leash, but they are gaining time.
01:50 PM: Over the Passo San Pellegrino

and the leaders have a 1:55 advantage on the main field. Sella grabs top points again. He scored top points on the Pordoi, too. If anyone deserves to be called the King of the Mountains at this Giro, it's Sella.
01:53 PM: Today's weather

It's cool and cloudy midway up the Marmolada, where the press room is. It might rain, but it looks like right now it won't. There will be some strong winds up on the summits.

Folks, you would enjoy it here. The scenery is absolutely stunning, with deep gorges, towering peaks, quaint villages, epic climbs and great Italian food. It has to be the best place in Europe - maybe the world - to ride a bike. And, like we said, the food is terrific here, so when you're done, there is plenty to satisfy your appetite.

At the risk of sounding like a Dave Duffield restaurant review, we'll defer on giving the details, but be ready for good food and, of course, wine.
01:58 PM: Drop us a line

Just in case you have a comment, observation, question or complaint, you can reach us by clicking on the "contact our editors" link just below the Live Update Window. We'll try to answer as many questions as we can, and even post a few throughout the day.
01:59 PM: Mario opines

Mario Cipollini says in today's Gazzetta that Marzio Bruseghin is best-positioned to gain the pink jersey. Bruseghin has been a surprise so far in this Giro, winning the individual time trial and hanging tough in the climbs. If he can make it through Sunday's and Monday's climbs, he'll be in very good position going into the final week.
01:59 PM: At 60km

the escapees' advantage has been cut to 1:20. LPR is doing double duty today.
02:02 PM: Breukink

(the answer to yesterday's trivia question).

Our own Andrew Hood spoke with Erik Breukink (the winner of that epic Gavia stage in 1988) this morning, who said: "Denis (Menchov) is stronger after two weeks of racing. We saw yesterday he was better than expected. Denis's strong point is that he's consistent. If he's good again today, he'll attack. That's the thing with a stage race, you have to attack when the legs are good because you cannot guarantee they will be in three days. He's here to race to prepare for the Tour, but if there's an opportunity to win, we won't pass it by."
02:03 PM: Yo yo

the escapees have managed to bump that lead up to 2:25 at 65. Is it the descent? Is it bad time checks? We'll see.
02:08 PM: The leaders

are on the Category 2 San Tomasso. Given today's profile, that's about as easy as the terrain gets. On this short route, we have four Category 1 climbs, and 2 Cat. 2s. So, you're either suffering up a climb, or experiencing that sphincter-puckering thrill of a fast descent. We really weren't kidding when we said there seemed only to be about 10 meters of flat ground on today's route.
02:16 PM: Up and over

Our leaders have passed over the San Tomasso. After a brief descent, comes the gradual approach to the base of the next hurdle of the day, the Category 1 Passo Giau. It's a long 15.7 km, averaging 7.9 percent, with some sections considerably steeper than that.
02:16 PM: The peloton

crests the summit at 2:12.
02:21 PM: A reader question

Paul writes in to ask:
Greetings
Any rumblings in the press room or peloton about a change in the Tour de France ban for the Astana team? Alberto Contador seems to be emerging as the best all-arounder in cycling, and as the defending champion, I can’t imagine The TDF officials could leave him out.

Paul, we haven't heard a word about the organizers of the Tour softening their position on Astana. Despite the team-wide reorganization, ASO has continued to insist that two years of Astana-related doping allegations is worthy of excluding the team for at least this year. They have indicated that they might be willing to invite Astana to the 2009 Tour, but if we were betting men - and we're not - we'd say that ASO's position will not change for 2008.

To answer the Tour-Astana question, we asked Contador if he expects a Tour turn-around, he said: "No, but if they do, I hope they give us more than a six-day notice. As of now, I am planning my year without racing the Tour."

When we asked Leipheimer about it at the beginning of the Giro, he said: "I'm not holding my breath, that's for sure. I don't think that's going to happen. I think they're too proud to change their decision."
02:24 PM: The nine men in the break

are now 2:25 ahead of the main field, as they make their way toward the base of the Category 1 Passo Giau.

As a reminder, the nine are:
36. Vladimir Miholjevic (CRO), Liquigas at 16:28
17. Paolo Bettini (ITA), Quick Step at 4:32
19. Felix Rafael Cardenas (COL), Barloworld at 4:47
21. Evgeni Petrov (RUS), Tinkoff at 5:01
25. Fortunato Baliani (ITA), CSF Group Navigare at 7:22
26. Emanuele Sella (ITA), CSF Group Navigare at 7:33
29. Vladimir Karpets (RUS), Caisse d'Epargne at 10:04
38. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne at 17:15
61. Jens Voigt (GER), CSC at 43:42.
02:35 PM: The escapees

left the town of Alleghe with an advantage of 2:18.

We are really pleased to see Jens Voigt out there again today. He looks to be riding back into his traditional attacking self. He skipped the classics this year because he was short on kilometers due to complications of the birth of the couple's fifth baby. The baby is fine, but Voigt missed about a month of training ... a pretty minor price in the grand scheme of things, of course.
02:40 PM: Pantani

Marco Pantani seems to have a presence here in the mountains. We've seen a countless number of Jolly Rogers, in honor of "the pirate's" memory. You can see one on the front page of VeloNews.com from yesterday's stage... but that sure wasn't the only one.
02:45 PM: LPR

Is doing the bulk of the chase work today. Astana is sitting right behind them in the cat-bird seat, perhaps ready to respond when the attacks out of the field begin.

Up front, Petrov is probably the most dangerous GC threat in the group. He was seventh overall last year, so no one wants to pull a "Pereiro" and let someone ride away with the pink jersey in such a dangerous stage.

Speaking of Voigt, he crashed yesterday coming off the Manghen when he dropped a chain while shifting gears. He was treated for some scrapes to his hip, but otherwise doesn't looking any worse except for wear and tear.
02:46 PM: McCartney

We see Jason McCartney nosing near the front of the pack. Good to see the CSC rider still in the race. Radio Corsa got it wrong yesterday and reported he abandoned when it was Pat McCarty from Slipstream who pulled out.
02:48 PM: Baliani takes a dig

Baliani is giving it a shove out of the group
02:50 PM: At the base

the gap holding steady at 2:18 as the break reaches the bottom of the Giau. Baliani has moved ahead. We'll see how long that lasts. He's a talented climber.

LPR is leading the peloton to the base of the climb.
02:53 PM: Baliani

has about 20 seconds on the rest of the break. The peloton trails by 2:40.

Bettini looks to be suffering a bit. He's removed his helmet, trying to wipe the sweat off of his head. He's not looking like he's going to stay away on this long climb.
02:53 PM: The laughing group

is already forming at the back of the field.
02:55 PM: Reader comment

Keith writes in to say:
Just thought I'd let you know that my Mam (now decesased) and Dad (83 and still riding 60/70km) went over two of today's climbs (Falzarego and Pordoi) an their post-war 10 day trip to the Dolomites with a couple of friends. Unlike the guys today though they on A TANDEM!!!!! (Claud Butler-short wheelbase) which is still road-worthy and ridden 60 years on. According to their diaries they had problems with their free wheels and so some of it was riden on fixed wheel........imagine!!!!

Wow, kinda puts it all into perspective. These guys are on 20-speed, 15-pound carbon wonders.
02:56 PM: Sella and Rodriguez

are working hard to join Baliani.

Here's a bit of trivia on Rodriguez. The Spanish national champion officially spells his first name in Joaquim, the Catalan version of his name. But it's often spelled Joaquin when in 'old Castile.'
02:56 PM: VDV

Vande Velde looked to be trailing at the back of the main pack. He wouldn't mind losing a little time today so he'll have more rope to go on the attack later for a stage win.
02:56 PM: Trouble for the maglia rosa

Bosisio is already getting dropped midway up the Giau. That means Contador, who is holding his own, is already the 'virtual' maglia rosa.
02:59 PM: A change at the front

With the maglia rosa in trouble, Liquigas is taking over the front of the pack - Charlie Wegelius setting the pace at the front.
03:01 PM: Three up front

Baliani, Sella and Rodriguez are at the front of the race and behind them, the peloton is coming apart at the seams. The pink jersey has been dropped and LPR is rallying around it's top rider, Danilo DiLuca.

Contador is in the lead group in the peloton, but Kloden is losing contact, as is Levi Leipheimer.
03:06 PM: Bosisio

is leading a fairly large group of chasers, but we don't have gaps between that group, the Contador group and the men in the break. Bosisio is now getting help from two-time Giro winner Paolo Salvoldelli. That group of the maglia rosa is now 1:12 behind the Contador group.
03:09 PM: That Contador

group has been trimmed to about 15 riders. Contador is the lone Astana in the bunch, with Leipheimer trailing by about 20 seconds.
03:09 PM: Pellizotti attacks!

The Liquigas man has had a solid Giro and he's looking to improve on that. Charley Wegelius peeled off and Pellizotti accelerated ... Pozzovivo is on his wheel
03:12 PM: Well that did some damage

the Contador group has been trimmed to 10. It looks like Bettini and a couple of the men in the original break are being caught... including Miholjevic, who was away in the move - nice tactics!
03:13 PM: Up front,

our leading three are working their way up the climb and we're still looking for a time check.

Behind the Pellizotti group, Menchov is now leading the chase - Di Luca, Ricco, Simoni, Bruseghin, Contador, Van den Broeck are there. Perez Cuapio - the Mexican on Panaria - is there too It's still a long way to the top.
03:16 PM: Menchov

has eased up a bit and Bruseghin is now pacing at front of Contador group.

The current situation on the road: Sella, Baliani and Rodriguez still off the front - Pellizotti, Miholjevic and Pozzovivo chasing and there about 10 with Contador.
03:17 PM: 5km

to go to the top for our leading three.

Now Di Luca attacks out of the Contador group. Ricco joins him... and Menchov. Now Simoni is bridging up. Contador is struggling.
03:19 PM: Di Luca

is really pouring it on. He has Menchov and Ricco with him. Simoni is closing in, but Contador is not there yet. He's almost on, but not quite. Di Luca is closing in on Pellizotti and Pozzovivo.
03:20 PM: Contador

is chasing hard. He's completely on his own, but he looks to be holding his own.
03:21 PM: Looking for help

Contador can't close the deal alone - looking around for help from Perez Cuapio, Van den Broeck as they join him from behind. Perez Cuapio is now setting tempo.
03:22 PM: Reeling in the remnants

Di Luca, Menchov, Ricco, Pellizotti, Pozzovivo, Simoni have picked up Cardenas from the break. The leading three are still on their own. We still don't have a time check, though.
03:23 PM: Connect!

Contador and crew have caught Di Luca, Menchov, Ricco, Pellizotti, Pozzovivo, Simoni and Cardenas.

Ahead, Sella leads way across Giau summit - more points for the KoM jersey
03:24 PM: Bruseghin has come back too

He has joined the Contador group just as they reach the summit, 1:56 behind the leading three.
03:26 PM: Bundling up

riders in the Contador group are all putting on jackets and grabbing food in preparation for the long descent.
03:27 PM: and behind them

Kloden, Leipheimer, Savoldelli and Bosisio among a baker's dozen approaching the top.
03:28 PM: The clouds

are building. It's now raining at the finish, but it's still dry on the descent off of this climb.

The Bosisio/Leipheimer group crosses at 4:45, so almost three minutes behind Contador.
03:31 PM: Nice roads

The road is twisty and steep, but the pavement is in great shape and the roads are reasonably wide.
03:32 PM: The rain is really coming down

at the finish atop the Marmolada. We're also spotting a few sprinkles on the descent of the Giau, but the roads are generally dry.
03:34 PM: The leading three

have about 2:00 on the Contador group as all work their way down the back side of the Giau.
03:36 PM: With 44.5km

to go, the leaders are coursing down the descent. That's a unique rain jacket that Sella is wearing - plastic cape with the sleeves cut off.
03:37 PM: Menchov

is visiting his team car for new glasses. He needs clear lenses now that it's raining.
03:38 PM: Out-numbered

It looks like the Liquigas team may have something of advantage here. They have three riders in the Contador group. Contador is on his own.
03:43 PM: Gaps

Our three leaders are now 2:08 ahead of the Contador group, with the maglia rosa group trailing by 4:46.

In other racing: Spain's Gustavo Cesar, riding for the Karpin Galicia team, won the Tour of Catalonia after Sunday's sixth and final stage was secured by Jose Leon Carrasco.

Cesar claimed outright victory from France's Remi Pauriol, who went into the last day's 122.1km run from Palleja to Barcelona with an eight second lead in the standings.

Spain's Gustavo Cesar, riding for the Karpin Galicia team, won the Tour of Catalonia after Sunday's sixth and final stage was secured by Jose Leon Carrasco.
03:45 PM: Our leaders

are 40km from the finish.
03:47 PM: Our three leaders

are less than 40km from the finish. The Contador group is just around 2:05 behind.
03:52 PM: Our leaders are

on the Category 2 Passo Falzorego. Sella, Baliani and Rodriguez are still together and about 2:10 ahead of the Contador group, which is just now getting words of encouragement from our buddy Didi, the Devil. Didi is sporting a special kit, today, dispensing with his usual red, for a complete pink skin suit. Folks, there are days when you have an advantage having to rely solely on text updates. It's not a pretty sight.
03:56 PM: Basisio

and crew are trailing by 4:45. If the race were to stop right now, Alberto Contador would be the race leader, but there is still plenty of racing before we see who gets the jersey.
03:56 PM: Nipping away

the DiLuca/Contador group is now 1:53 behind the leading trio.
03:59 PM: Perez Cuapio and Nibali

are trying to join up with the leaders. They have about 40 seconds on the Contador group. Neither man poses much of a GC threat, so they may be ignored by the biggies in the Contador group.
04:01 PM: Time gaps

The leading three are about 1:15 ahead of the attacking Nibali, Cuapio. The Contador group now about 20 riders at 1:51, with the Bosisio group at about 4:15.
04:04 PM: The raining

and cold. The leading trio is hitting the Falzarego summit at 120km. It's a nasty 19km descent to foot of Marmolada . Raining and windy - staying warm will be very important. There are still people skiing up here on the slopes of the local resort.
04:05 PM: Zip

The three leaders are zipping up their jackets. They never took them off on this last climb, a sure sign that it's a tad on the chilly side, folks.
04:06 PM: 58 seconds

the duo of Perez Cuapio and Nibali crest the summit at 58 seconds. The Contador group hits it at 2:01. These are workable gaps.
04:09 PM: Maglia rosa

the Basisio group summits at 5:30. The roads are getting wet out there.
04:11 PM: Nibali

has moved ahead of Perez-Caupio. The Mexican is a helluva climber, but he descends like a married guy.
04:13 PM: Nibali is

flying down the descent. He is closing in on the leading trio. He has just passed the 25km to go sign.
04:14 PM: And now there are four

Nibali has joined the leading three. That was a gutsy move on this descent.
04:15 PM: Wet roads, tight turns

it's a good thing that the pavement in good shape. Perez Cuapio is taking his time around these dicey hairpins.
04:18 PM: He's got to be cold

Nibali has no arm warmers or jacket. Meanwhile, Perez Cuapio has managed to bridge up to the lead group. Now five, which means that there are three CSF Navigarre men in the leading group of five.
04:20 PM: With

20km remaining, the leaders have the final climb ahead. It's 13.3 km at 8 percent, with some stretches reaching 18 percent. Sound like fun?
04:21 PM: Our leading five

have an advantage of 1:44 on the Contador group.
04:25 PM: It looks like the

roads are drying out, with 15km to go. That means the leaders are just about to start the final climb.
04:29 PM: And there they go

the five leaders are on the climb.

Back in valley, Piepoli has hit the on the deck. Bad luck for Leonardo, who won two stages and KoM last year. It looks like a broken clavicle. He was not in with the leaders or the first chase group.

Up front, Sella attacks with 12.5km to go.
04:33 PM: Sella has a gap

is he warming up the lead group for one of his teammates or is he heading off for another stage win?
04:34 PM: With 10km to go

Sella is holding his own. He's still on the flatter portion of the climb and it will get steeper, but he doesn't look any worse for wear after his big, big effort yesterday.
04:35 PM: POP!

Petrov has been dropped out of the Contador group. At the front of that shrinking group, Spezialetti is setting tempo for Di Luca.
04:37 PM: Gaps

Sella has about 30 seconds on the remaining four men in his group. The Contador group is at 2:35. Another win in the cards for Sella?

Back, back, back down the road, Bosisio is by himself. He's at 6:26... but at least he's on a nice Pinarello.
04:38 PM: Menchov

is looking pretty smooth in that Contador group. Can we expect an attack from the Vuelta champion?
04:40 PM: Kloden and Leipheimer

made it down the last descent with Bosisio. They have dropped the maglia rosa, but both men are out of the GC picture for this Giro.
04:41 PM: Sella

is now 7km from the finish, climbing through a beautiful little slot canyon. It's getting steeper, but he's not showing any sign of fading.
04:42 PM: Sella

is a good 2:50 ahead of the Contador group. Someone is going to have to attack and he's going to have to fade if he isn't going to win this thing.
04:42 PM: Bosisio

is now at 8:00. It was brief.
04:43 PM: Sella

has 1:45 on the group of four, two of whom are his teammates, so those two aren't chasing.
04:45 PM: Sella

is on the steep part. An eager Italian fan is running alongside, offering sage advice, no doubt.

"Ride! Ride! Ride!"

A capital idea, Mr. Tifosi.
04:46 PM: The Contador group

is closing in on the four men in the first chase group. They trail the four by 45 seconds. Sella, meanwhile, is 2:33 ahead of the Contador group. Interestingly, no one has attacked out of that group.
04:48 PM: Sella

is enjoying himself. It's raining. He is out of the saddle and dancing on the pedals. He was built for climbing. He's a happy man.
04:50 PM: Pellizotti

takes a bit of a dig out of the group of favorites. He is 5km from the finish as the rest of the group slowly moves on to his wheel.
04:51 PM: Sella

is now a full 3:33 ahead of that big group of favorites.
04:53 PM: Pellizotti

is still setting tempo at the front of the favorites' group. Bruseghin almost got knocked over by a fan. Lovely. He's off the back and chasing. He can take the lead if Contador falters.
04:54 PM: Ricco

ups the pace. He has Contador and others on his wheel, but he's gapped Simoni and Di Luca.
04:56 PM: Pozzovivo

attacks out of the favorites' group. Another CSF man on the move.

Ahead, Sella is working up toward the finish. He's still just ticking away on the pedals.
04:57 PM: Ricco

accelerates. He has Menchov and Contador on his wheel.

As Ricco sweeps up Rodriguez from the group ahead, he steps on it again. He's moving ahead of Menchov and Contador.
05:00 PM: Ricco has a gap.

Meanwhile, Sella is closing in on the finish. He's 1.5km from the top.
05:01 PM: Ricco

is about 100 meters ahead of Menchov and Contador. Di Luca and Simoni are fighting their way back, too.
05:02 PM: Sella's challenge

It looks like Sella's biggest problem here is trying to keep enthusiastic fans from pushing him up the climb. He's now in the final kilometer.
05:03 PM: Ricco

is on his own, but now Contador attacks... and is coming up on Ricco.
05:05 PM: Sella is coming in on the finish

He's got this one, folks. He's more than 3:00 ahead of the fav's. Meanwhile Contador is closing in on Ricco and Di Luca, Menchov and Simoni are trying to hang on.
05:07 PM: Sella wins it!

Two in a row for Sella. That is impressive.
05:08 PM: Contador's effort

has not pulled Ricco back. Ricco is in the final kilometer. Di Luca and Contador are fighting to get Ricco's wheel.
05:10 PM: Pozzovivo

finishes in second. A one-two punch for the team. Ricco is third and Di Luca fourth.

Contador comes in for sixth, behind Simoni.
05:13 PM: Another amazing ride

by Sella. He has spent two days on long attacks.

Kloden, meanwhile is still riding, more than five minutes after Sella wins. The team can take comfort in the fact that they have the leader's jersey today.
05:16 PM: Leipheimer

is now heading into the finish. He's about 9:00 back.
05:20 PM: Finishing order

1. Emanuele Sella (CSF Group Navigare), 4:53:24
2. Domenico Pozzovivo (CSF Group Navigare), at 2:08
3. Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval), at 2:11
4. Danilo Di Luca (LPR), at 2:19
5. Gilberto Simoni (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni)
6. Alberto Contador (Astana)
7. Denis Menchov (Rabobank)

Overall:
1 Alberto Contador (Astana)
2. Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval), at 0:33
3. Danilo Di Luca (LPR), at 0:55

Contador is the first Spaniard in the maglia rosa since 2002 - when Juan Carlos Dominguez won opening prologue
05:21 PM: 14 minutes and counting

Bosisio is coming in with 14:47 showing on the clock
05:23 PM: Well that's a wrap

thanks again for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow for that little 12km time trial (all up hill) and then remember that Tuesday is rest day no. 2 for the Giro.

Take care and see you tomorrow.

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