I haven't had the opportunity to follow the Giro d'Italia as much as I would like so far. I've glanced over the results most days and watched the progress, but haven't had the chance to write about it or really get in depth. The race is shaping up to be a really good one, with the top riders already jockeying for position even in the early stages, and while the finish line is still more than two weeks off, it has been an intense ride so far.
Today was the sixth stage of the Giro and was 248km (154 miles) in length. running from Brixen in Italy to Mayrhofen in Austria. The stage was mostly rolling countryside that challenged riders who were not good climbers and use to longer distances, and while there were no major mountain sections, the hills and length still tested the riders.
Fairly early in the stage, there was a five man break that put the pressure on the Peloton at the 55km (34 mile) mark. All but one of those riders was reeled back in, but Italian Michele Scarponi managed to survive the break away and score the stage victory. He was followed by Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway 32 seconds back, and Allan Davis, from Australia, was third.
Italian rider Danilo Di Luca (Team LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini) remained in the pink jersey today, with Sweden's Thomas Lövkvist in second, and Michael Rogers of Australia in third. Both of those men ride for Team Columbia-Highroad. American Levi Leipheimer of Team Astana and Russian Denis Menchov of Rabobank, are fourth and fifth respectively. Lance Armstrong is currently ranked 25th in his first ever appearance in the Giro.
Tomorrow's seventh stage will run from Innsbruck, Austria back across the border to Chiavenna, Italy. The stage begins as a fairly gentle, but steady climb, but ramps up later into a full blown mountain stage that will test the climbers and punish the sprinters. But those who make it will be able to go over the top and have a fast sprint down the other side to the finish.
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