2013 Giro d'Italia Race Wrap-up

 

The Shark gets his prey

On May 4^th under sunny Neapolitan skies, 23 teams of nine riders each lined up for the start of the 96^th Giro d’Italia. Three weeks and multiple route modifications later, all but 39 riders crossed the finish line today in Brescia. Vincenzo Nibali of Team Astana, won the overall after holding the Pink Jersey for the last 13 stgaes. Team Omega Pharma Quickstep’s Mark Cavendish won his fifth stage of the race, and claimed rights to the Maglia Rosso, or Points Jersey. 

Horrendous weather conditions throughout much of the race led to a final total of about 3200 kilometers ridden. That’s about 250 kms shorter than the original planned route.

Snow in the Alps altered the route

Fans were denied the thrill of the two most challenging mountain stages that would have defined this race because of heavy snowfall in the Dolomites. Instead the defining character of this year’s race would have to be the weather. The race organizers had their backs against the wall with the relentless weather, and made the appropriate decision to cut stage 19 and most of stage 20 for the riders’ and fans’ safety. 

The peloton endured a cold, rainy and snowy tour, for the most part. Many fell ill from the efforts expended in the foul weather. 168 riders out of the 207 who started the race in Naples survived to the finish. That number is about average, so it’s actually impressive, considering the conditions.

One champion emerged from the pack however, to claim victory for his team and country: 28-year-old Italian Astana Team leader, Vincenzo Nibali. The Sicilian “Shark” held the race lead...