Giro Donne 2005

1^st July - 10^th July

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Stage Review - Prologue TT

The Giro 2005 is underway - locals call it the Giro d'Italia and they turned out in huge numbers to watch 125 riders start the Tour of Italy - the Giro Donne. The weather warmed up throughout the day. A heavy storm early in the morning did not clear the air - a persistent drizzle and light rain throughout the day meant that it stayed humid and warm. In fact, the sun came through the cloud about an hour before the start, meaning that it quickly warmed up to about the 30'C mark for the early starters. It didn't cool much for those at the end of the startsheet - they simply had to ride their circuit in the dark.........  A 20:00hrs (8pm) start meant that 2 1/2 hours later, riders would inevitably be starting in the dark - those lucky enough to have a following car would have been grateful for its headlights.

There were dramas - the most notable perhaps occurred on the start ramp and into the fist 50m of the ride. Nobili Rubinetterie's Oxana Kostenko clattered down the ramp, immediately realising that there was something very wrong. As officials in the starthouse began picking up parts of Kostenko's bike, she freewheeled to a halt and dismounted to wait for a new bike. This wasn't the end of the drama, though. USA rider, Grace Fleury - next rider off was forced to ride around the Nobili Rubinetterie team car, which was pulled-up just 50m onto the course. In the dark, officials blew whistles and waved their arms to warn Fleury of the problem. 

There were other problems for riders - there was a report of at least one falling off - as a result of taking the second corner too quickly. 

All in all, though, riders officials and the rest of the 'caravanne' are pleased that the Giro is on its way, after a long day of waiting for the race to begin.

Nicole Braendli took first honours this year. She rides for the Team Bigla squad and was obviously pleased with her performance - "It was an unexpected surprise, even if I must admit that I trained hard for the Giro. I'm in perfect condition at the moment and hope that this will last until the end of the race. I would like to thank my team sponsors and the new bike, which is wonderful." (it is a BMC)

Results - Prologue TT

1  Nicole Braendli       Team Bigli

2  Chantel Beltman      Team Vrienden van het Platten

3  Edita Pucinskaite    Nobili Rubbinetterie