Tour of Italy Biking Pure…

After the turmoil of recent doping stories spread over the last few weeks, it’s difficult to believe that the first Grand Tour of 2010 begins tomorrow. Hopefully we can put all the dark headlines behind us and concentrate on some good racing through some of the best scenery Italy has to offer.

219 riders spread over 22 teams partake in the 210 Giro D’Italia beginning with a fast 8.4km prologue through the bike loving city that is Amsterdam.

With fewer big names on the start list this season, due partly to a clash with the Tour of California (and some positive tests!), this years event is wide open, and will surely be a spectacular event nonetheless. Among the starters are a number of Bike Pure guys hoping for a stage win and a strong performance over the three week long event.

There is a strong Aussie contingent this year with Jack Bobridge making his Giro debut. He is joined by Garmin-Transitions team mate Cam Meyer, making his second appearance in Italy after a solid two weeks on the race last year. Cam will be stronger and more determined this year, although a stomach bug and cold in the run up to the race have put him back slightly. Another Garmin team mate hoping for success is Irishman Dan Martin, who has opted for the Giro this year. He completed his first major three week event at the Tour of Spain last year. With no clear GC contenders at Garmin, Dan could have a free role in some of the mountain stages, where he has excelled in the past.

Another Aussie, and the latest pro to align with Bike Pure, is the Tasmanian Richie Porte who rides for Team Saxo Bank. After his time trial victory in Romandie last week he is in top shape and the first year pro has been a revelation this season.

Team Sky are making their Grand Tour debut with Bradley Wiggins hoping to refine his preparation for an assault on the Tour de France in July. Supporting Wiggings at Team Sky will be South Africa’s Chris Froome who will have recovered after his nasty crash at Romandie last week in time for the Giro. Speaking on the official Team Sky website Chris said, “It’s been a trying time over the last two or three weeks. I got ill at the Ardennes Classics and then I had the crash. It’s been a bit of an up-and-down period. The chest infection is just lifting now, which is good, but I haven’t been able to do much training recently. I’m not coming into the Giro in as good a shape as I’d like to be but I hope I’ll be able to ride myself into that condition.”

Britain’s Steve Cummings will be alongside his good friend Wiggins when the going gets tough and believes that his team leader has what it takes to make the podium come three weeks time. Speaking on Sky News the Merseysider said “I’ve been racing with him and he always looks super. He’s in good condition and good morale. “I think he’s better than this time last year, so he’s on target.”

Other Bike Pure guys to keep a look out for include Dan Lloyd of Cervelo, Olivier Kaisen (Omega Pharma – Lotto) and the Italian Marco Pinotti (Team HTC-Columbia).

Pinotti relishes riding in his National tour and would dearly love to take the leaders pink jersey tomorrow after winning the Tour de Romandie prologue recently. He could be a surprise winner of the race if he can hold his form, a previous winner of the Tour of Ireland – he is no stranger to stage racing.

After all the doping controversy of recent weeks we can only be thankful that the cheats are slowly being eradicated from the sport. Please get behind the Bike Pure guys during the 3 week long Giro, sincere role models for our sport.