Photos from the 2005 Giro d'Italia
With the creation of the Pro Tour the Giro d'Italia was revitalized. The level of competition was improved because all of the Pro Tour teams were required to send a squad to contest the Italian national tour. The Colombia-Selle Italia team, who have used Vittoria Shoes for years, received a wild-card invitation. Their riders, even though it was a small team with a fraction of the funding of the others, made their presence felt in the Mountains. Jose Rujano won the hardest stage of the Tour, the penultimate stage to Sestriere, 3rd place overall as well as the Climber's Green Jersey. Ivan Parra won back-to-back stages in the Dolomites. I've assembled a photo gallery of these fine riders (and their Vittoria Shoes). I think you'll enjoy it as these stages took place in some of the most beautiful places of a most beautiful country.
For the detail-minded: Rujano, Parra and the other Colombia-Selle Italia riders use stock White Vittoria Unlimited shoes with the Scorpion full-carbon sole.
The photos are all copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.
Stage 13, Saturday, May 21: Mezzocorona - Ortisei, 218 km. This stage included 5 tough climbs: Costalunga, Sella, Gardena, Erba and Pontives.
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Earlier in the stage, there has already been a selection. Ivan Parra (white jersey with red/yellow/blue sleeves) with Green Jersey Rujano right on his wheel. |
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I think the road around the Gruppo Sella massif is the most beautiful I have ever ridden. |
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The extent of Rujano's talent was the major surprise of the Giro. |
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After being away for 180 kilometers, Ivan Parra gets a well-deserved solo victory. |
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Stage 14, Sunday, May 22: Egna - Livigno, 210 km. This stage was no easier with the Frassineto, Stelvio and Foscagno climbs. Our extraordinary Vittoria Shoe-wearing Colombian riders were ready to dish out some more high heat to the peloton. If you want to learn more about the Stelvio climb and its place in history, click here.
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A man in a hurry, Ivan Parra blasts off the front again. |
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The Stelvio was, as usual, magnificent and difficult. |
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Unbelievable! back-to-back Dolomite victories for Ivan Parra. |
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Stage 19, Saturday, May 28: Savigliano - Sestriere, 190 km. This was the penultimate stage with three savage climbs: A first passing to Sestriere then the Finestre with 8 kilometers of dirt road and then second and final climb to Sestriere.
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On the Finestre climb. From right to left, Rujano, Gilberto Simoni and Danilo Di Luca |
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Jose Rujano on the Finestre. His small size and young-looking face made him the butt of many jokes. I'm sure his competitors didn't find him even remotely funny. |
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A wonderful shot by Sirotti of the stage's 3 breakaways. |
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Jose Rujano collects his reward for a hard day's work. After almost 6 hours in the saddle Rujano not only seals the stage victory and the Green Jersey, he nails third place in the General Classification. This guy is going to be big stuff. |
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