In 1894 Italy’s first winner of the Tour de France, Ottavio Bottecchia, was born in departure town Gemona del Friulli. He won the race in 1924 and in 1925, and in 1926 fell ill and had to leave the Tour. In 1927 Bottecchia died mysteriously. Rumor has it, the mob or the fascists had something to do with it. At the time Italy was under the reign of Mussollini and Bottecchia was a proud socialist…
Upon leaving Botecchia’s hometown the bunch cycles in a near straight line to this year’s Giro finish in Trieste. At first glance, a typical last ride of a Grand Tour. The stage will be a procession with the riders left in the race celebrating and chatting and toasting the victor. Just like the Paris finish in the Tour, this year’s Giro finishes with a circuit. It’s 8 laps of 7.3 kilometres so expect the pace to pick up here as the sprinters look to bow out with a victory.
Cue the podium celebrations for this year’s Maglia Rosa.
Giro 2014 stage 21: Images and more
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