SPORTS Saturday, May 6, 2017 23 Key stages

Battle is on for the pink jersey This stage comes after the race’s third rest day, and it is probably just Organisers had hoped the presence of and defending champion Vincenzo Nibali would produce an as well. Added to the all-Italian duel but following Aru’s forfeit last month due Mortirolo and Stelvio to injury Nibali is going it alone against race favorite (2,758 metres altitude) Quintana. Aru’s absence means Nibali, who rides for the Bahrain-Merida team, now has one less rival to worry about is a third climb, via The trophy of the Giro d’Italia cycling as he takes aim at his third overall victory following wins in the Swiss side of the race (Tour of ) is shown on stage 2013 and 2016. But Nibali, who is set to relish mountain, back up the at the end of the presentation of the racing stages four and five on his native Stelvio. It heralds the teams, on the eve of the start of the island of Sicily -- where the peloton race in Alghero, Italy. will race to Mount Etna on Tuesday start of the most gruel- -- has plenty of incentive. He has ling week in the race. based his season around becoming the first rider since French legend to win the race three times. The ‘Badger’, a five- time winner, won The stage is short, the Giro in 1980, 1982 and 1985. Nibali, known as ‘The Shark’, said: but don’t be fooled: “I’m very happy to be at the start four climbs -- Pordoi, of the Giro in such a special edi- Valparola, Gardena and tion. Personally, I’m happy because stage five will finish in my home Pinei -- in the notori- town, . My objec- ously steep Dolomites tive is to race at means it is brutal. And my best, then it will be for there’s an uphill finish the road to too. decide.”

A day before the race finale, a time-trial to Milan, the peloton has one more day of climbing to complete. They will ease into it on a relatively forgiv- ing first half, but get a Bardiani fear Giro expulsion kick in the teeth on the Alghero as a professional. 24km ascent of Monte he sporting director of the only all-Italian Although both are suspected of using the Grappa, which is fol- team invited to the 100th Giro d’Italia said same product, Zanatta played down suggestions lowed by a technical, heT fears Bardiani will be thrown out following a they had colluded in the affair. doping scandal involving two of its riders. “No, they’re not (good friends),” added 26-km descent before “It’s a possibility,” the Bardiani team’s Zanatta. “One lives in , one lives in the final, 14 km climb Stefano Zanatta told AFP prior to the opening Roma. Pirazzi is quite a closed guy, not very to Foza and a short stage Friday between Alghero and Olbia, in expansive, while Ruffoni is a good guy, good Sardinia, and said he cried when news broke of company. descent into Asiago. the positive doping tests. “But this isn’t important. Now we have a “That’s why we’re really angry. This has big problem for the team, for the sponsors, caused a lot of problems for all of us. Not just for the whole race. for the seven guys who are still here.” “I’ve been working as a sports director Bardiani, a second-division team composed for 20 years, I put my face to this project to exclusively of up-and-coming Italians, were develop a young Italian team, so for me it’s Despite a tough, final overjoyed several months ago when they were very hard.” handed one of four wildcard invitations for the Asked was his emotions were on week in the moun- 100th edition of the race. Thursday, Zanatta said: “I cried. tains, the pink jersey On the eve of the race Thursday, shortly “In this moment it’s possible that contenders will be after a glitzy team presentation, Bardiani everyone’s talking badly about the team. were left “shocked” after being notified by the That’s not good. mindful of keeping International Cycling Union (UCI) that Stefano “The organisers believed in our enough in the tank Pirazzi and Nicola Ruffoni had tested positive project, a team of young Italian guys for the final day when for banned growth hormones. with an Italian sponsor. the 21st stage begins In accordance with UCI rules, both riders “Cycling in Italy isn’t going really are now suspended facing further investigation. well. One thing we need is for more at the world famous But if their “B” samples are also positive, the young Italian guys to be joining Monza racing track and entire team could be suspended for 15-45 days, World Tour (first division) teams. sweeps over mainly flat ending their race before the Milan finish line “But like this, we go right back on May 28. to the bottom step. I think there’s terrain before finishing Pirazzi, 30, won the best climber’s competition been a real change in mentality (in in front of the Duomo at the Giro in 2013 and won a stage to Vittorio terms of doping), but obviously not cathedral. Veneto in 2014. Ruffoni, 26, is in his fourth year sufficiently.”