Giro d'Italia stars presented to huge crowds in Netherlands (gallery)
Vincenzo Nibali, Mikel Landa, Alejandro Valverde and the full set of Giro d'Italia riders took part in a team presentation in Apeldoorn on Thursday evening - Photos by Graham Watson
Apeldoorn turned a shade of pink on Thursday evening as the teams and riders taking part in the 2016 Giro d'Italia were presented to the huge crowd of spectators.
The Dutch city will host the opening time trial stage of the Giro tomorrow (Friday), and the traditional pre-race presentation was typically glitzy.
Pink carpets, pink smoke and pink dancers paid homage to the famous and highly-prized maglia rosa of the Giro's race leader.
>>> Giro d'Italia 2016: Latest news, reports and info
Each team filed on stage by bike, with key riders then interviewed including overall contenders Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), Mikel Landa (Sky), Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).
Friday's stage features a flat 9.8km time trial around Apeldoorn, with Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) the favourite to win and take the early race lead despite suffering from a stomach problem on Wednesday.
The Giro stays in the Netherlands until stage three on Sunday, before returning to Italy on Tuesday.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Remco Evenepoel goes on first outdoor ride since horror crash, hints at Tour de France on Strava
'On my way back' says the Belgian, as he builds back up to Tour de France form with almost-100km ride
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Four weeks after breaking arm, Lizzie Deignan set to start La Vuelta Femenina
British rider to line up at eight-stage race on Sunday, less than a month on from crash at Tour of Flanders
By Adam Becket Published