2005 Giro d'Italia
The Most Exciting Giro in Twenty Years!
The 88th edition of the Giro d’Italia gave cycling fans world-wide a finish that few could have imagined. On the final climb of the last mountain stage, four riders were still in contention for the maglia rosa. "It was the best race I have seen in years and years and years." remarked 1988 Giro winner Andy Hampsten. From the tricky and deceptive opening stages which thwarted Fasso Bortolo's attempts to get Allessandro Petacchi a stage win to the incredible Dolomite mountains where the likes of Basso, Simoni and Savoldelli finally came out to play, this Giro is so packed with drama and excitement that it is clearly the best race in years. The mountain stages included some legendary and very tough climbs thanks to some courageous choices by outgoing race director Carmine Castellano, and with the introduction of the ProTour, 20 of the world’s biggest teams competed, raising the quality of the Giro’s field very close to that of the Tour de France. Alessandro Petacchi found out the hard way that it would be impossible for him to win another nine stages in a single Giro, although he eventually got the wins he needed to seal his new million-dollar contract. Instead Classics riders Paolo Bettini and Danilo Di Luca hogged the early spotlight, passing the pink jersey between themselves. After three weeks of racing, the question of the Giro championship came down to the penultimate stage from Savigliano to Sestriere. The never-before-raced Colle de Fenestre saw four realistic contenders battle sections of dirt roads at mountain goat heights. This is one of the best mountain stages ever and WCP will highlight over 30 minutes on this stage alone. Don't miss Salvodelli's spinetingling descent to take back the much needed seconds to win. Never a day went by without a crash, an illness or controversy providing some reason for almost everyone to get excited. It was gripping stuff and it's all here in a classic DVD package from WCP. Commentary by Phil Liggett and Paul Sherewen.