On a misty Tuesday morning in June the young riders of the GiroBio edizione 2012 came to town. It was Stage 5 – Perugia to Gaiole in Chianti.
This is their story.
It was obvious they’d done it all before.
They came.
They saw.
They parked their cars.
They turned heads.
Lots.
They walked.
They talked.
They rode around.
They waited around.
They smiled.
Beh, chi piu’ chi meno.
Until it was time to go.
The end.
Destination Umbria 
lily July 24, 2012
Janine, sometimes your photo essays are the absolute highlight of my days! Not only do you have a great photographic and artistic eye, but humour too! Brava!! Thank you for the trip to the bicycle race, and for making me smile. ~ Lily
janinevasta July 24, 2012
You are very welcome, Lily! You made my morning when I first read your comment. I’ve been savouring it all day! I had such fun with this one, your lovely compliments hardly feel deserved at all! x
Debra Kolkka July 24, 2012
Nothing like a Lycra covered bum!
janinevasta July 24, 2012
Haha!! Trust you Debra!!! 😉 And there were hundreds of them!
bodhisattvaintraining July 24, 2012
love it 🙂
janinevasta July 24, 2012
That’s lovely to hear. Thank you!!! I loved it too!
stephenedwards425 July 24, 2012
You have stole my heart…nothing better than than a good cycling race.
Be encouraged!
janinevasta July 24, 2012
Oh Stephen, that’s very sweet. Sounds like you might be suffering some post -Tour de France blues… If so, I hope this helped. 😉
stephenedwards425 July 25, 2012
It helped immensely…let’s just say the Tour didn’t turn out exactly as I would hoping. 🙂
Be encouraged!
jann July 24, 2012
Is that a woman in the pink and white outfit? Were there many? What a great way to stay spaghetti-thin! I love when racers come to town. I was sitting outside on Sunday here in Sicily when about 50 bikers went by, going up a steep hill as if they were on level ground.
janinevasta July 24, 2012
Jann, carissima, allora ti spiego tutto… The pink jersey wearer is indeed one of the guys. An American who was leading the race at the start of racing that day – hence the pink. The race is the under 23 version of the Giro d’Italia and there would have been well over a hundred riders so it was pretty well a full house in Corso Vannucci.
I know what you mean. Something about seeing wirey riders on racing bikes always makes me smile. All that raw energy and colour I think…
Cathy Powell July 24, 2012
Great photos Janine. I love the ‘ending’!
janinevasta July 24, 2012
You’re welcome Cathy. Thank you!!! I had a great time literally running around after these guys!
paninigirl July 25, 2012
Wish I had been there to see them. We were once on a little country road somewhere in Tuscany and a race came through-I loved watching all the boys go by!
janinevasta July 25, 2012
I know! It’s just so exciting somehow Janie. And there’s something about riders and the Italian countryside I totally agree. They turn up when you least expect it too!
Shelagh July 25, 2012
I’m always amazed at how easily they tackle the hills – both up and down.
janinevasta July 25, 2012
Up close, these guys look so fit Shelagh it’s scary! They really did seem a nice bunch of guys I have to say.
helencrossley July 25, 2012
Agree with lily – another great photo essay. (I’m starting to think a book of these would be good, Janine…)
I’m missing Le Tour already too – but what a belting result! So chuffed to see Brad up there realising a childhood dream. But how come cycling up & down hills & mountains doesn’t make me stick thin??!! Hmmm – maybe something to do with cake I suspect 😀
janinevasta July 25, 2012
Thanks so much Helen. I can honestly think of no better ‘play’ project than that! Do you really cycle up and down mountains? I’m impressed…. I love the Tour but now it’s over I can at least get to bed on time. Nice result I agree!
umbriascribe July 26, 2012
So good to see your photos, Janine! I look forward to your posts. Keep up the great work! I’m connected with Debra now in Lucca. Her blog is wonderful. Small world, eh?
janinevasta July 26, 2012
That’s so lovely to hear Nina! Debra’s blog is marvellous. You can tell she loves her corner of Italy with a passion. Thank you for all your wonderful words of encouragement too!! I love it that you’re part of this special group. x