Giro d'Italia Stage 2 LIVE
Stupinigi - Novara 179 km
As uncomplicated as a stage in Italy gets. Time to establish a baseline for the sprinters pecking order.
Giro d'Italia 1971: Bari - Potenza 260 km
This stage was so overloaded with all the hallmarks of classic Italian cycling that it is almost comical. Salvarani had signed Gianni Motta to form a double threat along with star Felice Gimondi. Sadly the two had all the teamwork instincts of Tom&Jerry. On a tough, long and hilly stage Gimondi was having a jour sans and was hoping for a calm day to ease through the stage. So of course Motta attacked and blew the race up. And not only that, he was kind enough to inform some of the big rivals that he was going to do it so they could join in. Suffering Gimondi ended up shifting nine minutes and with that all his GC hopes while Enrico Paolini won the stage and took the pink jersey. To top off the craziness Motta then tested positive for some substance and was relegated to last on the stage and given a 10 minute time penalty (they were really tough on doping back then). Exit Salvarani and their doubled edged sword.
San Gaudenzio of the Day: Tim Merlier
Alpecin Fenix win all sprints. Especially when Deceuninck are bringing this weird GC-freak of a team.