2008 Giro - Stage 8

Today's stage was somewhat quiet. The coverage on ctv was probably close to an hour delayed which was not pleasant. I had RAI on to view until it was up. The breakaway was out a good portion of the day and part of me was hoping that Adam Hansen from HighRoad (read his interview from PEZ) could've made it to the end but he got caught. He was really going for it and watching him just prior to them getting him, it was easy to feel for his efforts.

Once the catch was made small attacks were made all the way to the finish. When DiLuca flew up from pretty far back I have to say I was a bit impressed by the move. He too got caught but to watch him fly up and past everyone gave for some great viewing. Ricco won the stage with Bettini right at his heals.

Slipstream_DM: The good and bad breaks of cycling

Live Chatter: CN - VN - DP - PC

Stage 8 - Saturday 5/17: Rivisondoli - Tivoli, 208km
Results
1 Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Saunier Duval - Scott 4.41.05 (44.613 km/h)
14 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
23 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
30 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30
65 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 1.16
90 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 1.53
124 Julian Dean (NZl) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 3.55
133 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 4.29
137 Jonathan Patrick Mc Carty (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 5.17
146 Jason McCartney (USA) Team CSC 5.19
171 Danny Pate (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 8.49
176 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 9.53
177 Christopher Sutton (Aus) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30
General classification after stage 8
1 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Quick Step 36.44.06
8 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 7.56
21 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 9.14
23 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 9.17
71 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 27.57
90 David Millar (GBr) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 37.46
98 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 43.56
106 Jason McCartney (USA) Team CSC 47.13
142 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 1.02.09
164 Julian Dean (NZl) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 1.13.52
165 Jonathan Patrick Mc Carty (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 1.14.30
174 Danny Pate (USA) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 1.21.47
179 Christopher Sutton (Aus) Slipstream Chipotle P/b H30 1.33.09

Slipstream: Vande Velde ever vigilant
TeamCSC: Another One for Riccardo Ricco
PEZ: "Super Ricco" Records Win No.2
DP: Stage 8 Interviews
CW: Ricco wins again at Giro d'Italia
CycleTo: Milram Fires Petacchi, Ricco Rolls On

Graham Watson Photos: Stage 8