Giro d'Monte

I finally remembered to take the GPS with me on this trail! A great way to take in the views around he mountains in Val Chisone.

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Alps in bloom

Alps in bloom
Originally uploaded by Hannibal Cycle tours / Belvedere B&B

The sun is shining. There has been plenty of snow melt and the mountain pastures are lush with vegetation. The Alps are blooming lie they have never done before. At this time of year the alpine pastures become full of Gentians, orchids, daisies and other colourful flowers. It is an ideal time to explore the area just before the farmers take their cattle up to graze. A floraphile's delight!

Mark Cavendish Top Sprinter

Mark did it again at Florence. This time Petacchi even admitted that he could not keep up with Cavendish. The Italian press however were not as gracious. They claimed that Petacchi had caught some wind as he tried to sprint for the line. obviously Cavendish had found the only non windy bit on the whole track?
Mark's career has really only just begun and he has many more years of development ahead of him. My prediction is that Cippolini's record of sprint victories will be beaten by the "Manx Thunderbolt". I think this year will be sen in Yellow during the Tour and he will certainly be winning a few more stages this year in both main tours.
British cycling is at it's best ever. Lets not loose this by being complacent. I hope that Cavendish is inspiring the younger generation as much as he is inspiring mine.

Giro comes to Fenestrelle

Giro d'Italia 09 Cuneo Pinerolo at Fenestrelle
Originally uploaded by Hannibal Cycle tours / Belvedere B&B

I am fortunate that I live in an area where the Giro and Tour visit regularly. Maybe that is why I run a cycle holiday company. It may have something to do with the fact that I love cycling as well?

This Tuesday saw the longest stage of the Giro d'Italia pass right through our town of Fenestrelle and we wrer in the right place to get some fantastic photos. The stage saw an epic battle between the top riders with Di Luca coming out on top. Lance was doing OK but should have been up at the front on this stage. The course also hosted the Cima Coppi of this years Giro at Sestriere. Only a paltry 2035m above sea level. However, the 260km stage certainly took its toll with the last riders passing through Fenestrelle a good twenty five minutes after the leaders.

I think that baring anything serious then the trophy for the Giro will have Danilo Di Luca's name on it in Rome.
Pinerolo saw the finish and the coverage on the TV certainly seemed to be a good advert for Val Chisone. It looked so good I want to go and visit!

Cavendish wins amidst controversy

Mark has won again! Well done Cav! This time he caught Petacchi napping in the sprint. However this stage of the Giro will probably be remembered more for the fact that all the riders came to a halt over the fact that this years stages are dangerous. This is the day after Horillo had his terrible accident.
Personally I think the riders were right to stop in mid race for this issue. At the end of the day we ask these guys to do incredible things but the one thing I would not ask any of them to do is risk their lives. It was appalling to see a car parked halfway on and off the road in what was a circuit race on closed roads. It should have been removed before they started.
Tomorrow is a rest day and then...... and then ...........the real mountain stage where we hope to see the serious mountan climbers come to the fore. Tuesday sees the Cuneo Pinerolo stage and I wll be there at Fenestrelle to watch them fly past.
Go Cav, Go Lance, Go Basso!

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The Fantastic Fortress of Fenestrelle

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Petacchi can climb but Cavendish can't!

Today's stage saw Cavendish loose the Maglia Rosa Not because Petacchi beat him in the sprint but because he was beaten by the final climb. A great shame but hopefully Cavendish will take this on board and do some work to improve his climbing skills.
It should not be forgotten however thathe not only won the maglia rosa but managed to hold on to it for two days. This is a fantastic achievement for a Brit and I am sure that we will be seeing his name as a stage winner again over the next three weeks.
My money is on Lance Armstrong for stage 10 Cuneo to Pinerolo May 19th. Here he has the opportunity to really show us his climbing ability on a climb that he knows very well. The climb to Sestriere where in 99 he beat Marco Pantani on his home ground in the Tour de France. This time however he will not be stopping at the top but descending all the way to Pinerolo via a "little" cat 2 climb at Pra Martino.
I am sure this stage will go down in history. You too can come and ride this route. Just book a holiday with Hannibal Cycle Tours and this and many other great cols could be on your "Done" list