On Tap...

In The Pink
The first of the three Grand Tours on the Pro Tour calendar begins today with the running of the 91st Giro d'Italia.

At one point, the Giro was held in as much regard as the prestigious Tour de France, but these days the Corsa Rosa is used by many primarily as a training ground during their run up to the Tour.

However, the well chronicled late inclusion of Astana may just make this year's battle for the Maglia Rosa the best of the three week races to watch this year. Astana, which is barred from competing in the Tour de France, looks to bring the full complement of its Tour proven team, including Tour champion Alberto Contador and third place finisher Levi Leipheimer, to contest for the grand prize.

It may be too much to expect a good result because of the team's late addition [Contador was on a beach when he got the call to ride the Giro]. But for the team that's been slighted and held in limbo during the early portion of the racing calendar, they must certainly feel "in the pink" and should bring plenty of motivation not only win, but dominate this year's edition of the race; the 20th anniversary of Andy Hampsten victory [Hampsten remains the only American to win the Giro].

WATCH it all on Cycling.tv or follow it on the internet on Cyclingnews.com or Velonews.com.

Schedule
Stage 1 - Saturday, May 10
Palermo (Team Time Trial) - 23.6km

Stage 2 - Sunday, May 11
Cefalù – Agrigento - 207km

Stage 3 - Monday, May 12
Catania – Milazzo - 221km

Stage 4 - Tuesday, May 13
Pizzo Calabro - Catanzaro-Lungomare - 183km

Stage 5 - Wednesday, May 14
Belvedere Marittimo - Contursi Terme - 203km

Stage 6 - Thursday, May 15
Potenza - Peschici (Circuito del Gargano) - 265km

Stage 7 - Friday, May 16
Vasto – Pescocostanzo - 180km

Stage 8 - Saturday, May 17
Rivisondoli – Tivoli - 208km

Stage 9 - Sunday, May 18
Civitavecchia - San Vincenzo - 218km

Rest Day - Monday, May 19

Stage 10 - Tuesday, May 20
Pesaro - Urbino (Individual Time Trial) - 39.4km

Stage 11 - Wednesday, May 21
Urbania - Cesena - 199km

Stage 12 - Thursday, May 22
Forlì - Carpi - 172km

Stage 13 - Friday, May 23
Modena - Cittadella - 177km

Stage 14 - Saturday, May 24
Verona - Alpe di Pampeago/Val di Fiemme - 195km

Stage 15 - Sunday, May 25
Arabba - Passo Fedaia/Marmolada (Dolomites Stars) - 153km

Stage 16 - Monday, May 26
San Vigilio di Marebbe - Plan de Corones (Individual Time Trial) - 12.85km

Rest Day - Tuesday, May 27

Stage 17 - Wednesday, May 28
Sondrio – Locarno - 146km

Stage 18 - Thursday, May 29
Mendrisio - Varese - 147km

Stage 19 - Friday, June 30
Legnano - Presolana/Monte Pora - 228km

Stage 20 - Saturday, June 31
Rovetta - Tirano - 224km

Stage 21 - Sunday, June 1
Cesano Maderno - Milano (Individual Time Trial) - 28.5km

Grand Opening
If you are fortunate enough to be in the Austin, Texas area, Lance Armstrong's bike shop, Mellow Johnny's, officially opens its doors today.

"The shop opens at 7 am, and Grand Opening day will feature special guests, book signings, giveaways, and more. Come and discover a shop for people who ride bikes, want to ride bikes, or just think about bikes."


Home Cooking
For races going on this weekend in select areas of the country, please see below.

05/10/2008
South Mountain Time Trial
Phoenix, AZ
East Bay Cyclist Criterium
Pleasanton, CA
The New Bethlehem Criterium
Bethlehem, PA
Matt Wittig Memorial Race
Muskego, WI
Golden Empire Classic & SCNCA RR Championships
Bakersfield, CA
Darek Leyde Memorial Criterium
Salt Lake City, UT
Carolina Speedway Series – Rougemont
Rougemont, NC

05/11/2008
Chicago Time Trial Series-Monee
Monee, IL
Berkeley Hills Road Race
Richmond, CA
Bob Rodale Fitness Park
Trexlertown, PA
Kokomo Time Trial Series
Kokomo, IN

Click through to Truesport.com for results and photos of some of the above races.


TOSRV
For those who make the Midwest, and specifically Ohio, their home, the annual Tour of the Scioto River Valley, or TOSRV, takes place this weekend. Unlike past years, there is no day-of registration for the 200 mile weekend roundtrip sojourn from Columbus to Portsmouth, OH [or alternatively the century from Chillicothe to Portsmouth and back]. But if you live on or around the route, stop to lend some support to the riders [and maybe even ride some of the closed of route].