Today is the Team Time Trial from rainy Savigliano to Cuneo. Cuneo has been a big cycling town and, in fact was a destination in last year's Tour de France and part of the reason Alejandro Valverde, who was banned from cycling in Italy, could not do the Tour last year. From the sky Cuneo reveals its orderly grid, which leads me to believe it has a history as a Roman outpost and trading town, sitting on a road leading through the Alps into France.
Getting sunny in Cuneo now, and Cadel Evans' team hangs on to first place. British Team Sky is still out on the course, though, and Garmin hasn't even started. Garmin has something to prove today, since their General Classification contender, the unfortunate and charming Christian Vandevelde, broke his collarbone and had to abandon the Giro for the second year in a row on the third stage. Which is so sad! Get better fast, Christian!
Tomorrow's stage is still in Piemonte, the most northwesterly region of Italy, and the most influenced by French culture and language. Folks from Piemonte often roll their 'R's in the back of the throat just like the French, and the closer you get to the border, the more towns have two names--one in Italian, and one in Piemontese, which is more colored by French. The city of Turin is a good example--'Turin' is the Piemontese name, and 'Torino' is the Italian name. Which can create confusion for us English speakers.
Tomorrow's stage finishes in Novi Ligure, which has its own chocolate factory! In almost any Italian airport, they sell gianduiotto, which is soft chocolate and finely ground hazelnut candy in a distinctive triangular cross-sectioned shape. Pick up a box to bring home to your friends. It's usually a bit darker and less sweet than the flavor of Nutella. We can thank Piemonte for this kind of chocolate, and this region still does well selling it to the rest of the world. Yes, it's my second day to suggest a chocolate pairing with a stage, but don't worry, there's more variety to come. And today's wine is Barolo, so how bad could it be? Barolo is the priciest Italian wine these days, because of its huge flavors and ability to be nicely aged for years. And it comes from Piemonte, where the uber-expensive white truffles are also found.
Someday I want to go to the truffle festival in Alba, which is in the early fall, and watch fancy restauranteurs from around the world haggle for massive funghi. Imagine the aromas! The ferragamos and fancy cashmere sweaters! The truffle shaved over my pasta! The local prices on Barolo! Ahhhhhhh.....
Team Sky is approaching the finish line for the TTT, and it looks like they might take the lead and win today. The Brits should be proud! It's close! But they have it! If they hold onto this, I think it's Bradley Wiggins in Pink at the end of today, and Sky will have to work hard to hold onto it. They have been looking so strong, so it would be awesome to watch them try.
Viva il Giro! Viva Italia! A domani!
Watch Novi Chocolate Ad
Buy Barolo at Bevmo
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