Greig Leach

The bright sunshine that graced the opening stages of the 98th Giro d'Italia seem now to be a distant memory. Those that took to the start today faced a long wet slough on flat straight roads, straight until the final couple of kilometers were the town of Jesolo seemed to have a disproportionate share of roundabouts and 90 degree turns. Even with a day that was tailor made for the sprinters, there were those who were willing to go for the long breakaway. After all, the breaks have had unexpected success in a couple of stages already, why not today? Keeping dry and warm was a challenge that everyone faced, in the breakaway, Jerome Pineau (IAM Cycling) sheds a soaking layer and passes it to his Director Sportif. Joining Pineau in the possibly futile effort were Rick Zabel (BMC) and Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli). If memory serves, Androni Giocattoli has placed a rider in every breakaway thus far.