Greig Leach

The final day of climbing for the 98th Giro d'Italia feature a very long, steep climb to the highest point of the entire race. The final section of the climb of the Colle Delle Finestre was a 10 kilometer stretch of unpaved, dusty, rutted one lane track that challenged the riders stability and their climbing legs. Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL Jumbo) worked hard to keep those he had dropped earlier from catching back onto his wheel. At his point, Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale Garmin) was closing back to the Dutchman. Hesjedal had the Maglia Rosa of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) glued onto his wheel, with the Astana duo of Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa just behind the man in pink. It seems cruel that the 30 kilometer banner should be sponsored by an Italian beer company. I am sure most of the peloton was lusting for a cold beer after a long, hot, dusty day in the saddle. Bicycling Magazine claims that a beer after a hard ride is a perfect recovery drink.