While awaiting the final sentences, the first of which has been entrusted as of today to the uphill time trial in Polsa, the Giro is giving back to Italian cycling a reborn rider: this is the beautiful story of Giovanni Visconti, from the deepest depression to an exhilarating one-two, with two solos, the first on the Galibier amidst the sleet and frost, the second yesterday at the finish line in Vicenza, in the heat of the crowd finally under the beautiful May sun. A victory gained on the ascent of Crosara, the only difficulty of the day, an ideal springboard before the dive on the finish line: here Visconti succeeded where Di Luca failed instead, pulling away from the group of the best and going to catch up with Rubiano Chavez, the last of the survivors of the only escape that took place in a stage that went off as smooth as oil for the pink jersey Nibali.
The Crosara climb, albeit pedalable, served to skim the peloton by eliminating Cavendish above all, a great favorite in the sprint, who dreamed of making the fifth place. All that remains for the English champion is the final stage in Brescia to hit the prestigious "manita". Visconti was good at sprinting and resisting the run-up of the rare sprinters (for example Modolo) who weren't lost behind the lines of the race. However, there were also the men in the standings who were hunting him for precious bonus seconds, such as Cadel Evans, Nibali's closest rival in the standings, also in contention for the red jersey currently on Cavendish's shoulders. With Vicenza archived, the Giro is about to reach the grand finale. Nibali promises a time trial as leader after having collected the admiring judgment of complete champion by Miguel Indurain, one who knows about Giri having won two as well as five Tours.
The Shark will have to be especially careful of Evans who has so far raced indoors waiting for the most opportune moment to ambush. Two years ago, right in the last time trial, the Australian managed to snatch the yellow jersey and the Tour from Andy Schleck. Then there's Uran Uran, a name that smacks of battle but who after the exploit on Montasio hasn't given any more news of himself except for his disappointing performance on Jafferau. However, more than on today's time trial, the Colombian should focus on the two mountain stages, snow permitting, to wake up.
