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

(Image credit: 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.

Spectators at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

A huge number of people turned out to watch the Giro d'Italia presentation on a perfect evening
(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Spectators at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Mind the edge!
(Image credit: Watson)

Team Sky at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Team Sky's flag bearer and mascot on stage in Apeldoorn
(Image credit: Watson)

Ryder Hesjedal at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

2012 Giro d'Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal films the crowd on his phone
(Image credit: Watson)
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Caleb Ewan at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan rides onto the stage
(Image credit: Watson)

Marcel Kittel at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Marcel Kittel has been enjoying a return to form this year, and is the man to beat in the bunch sprints
(Image credit: Watson)

Marcel Kittel at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Marcel Kittel with his Etixx-QuickStep team
(Image credit: Watson)

A dancer at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Giro style: A pink dancer in a bubble
(Image credit: Watson)

Movistar at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Movistar leader Alejandro Valverde is one of the leading race contenders
(Image credit: Watson)

Trek at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Fabian Cancellara of Trek-Segafredo waves to the crowd. Earlier, Cancellara had said he'd been feeling unwell
(Image credit: Watson)

Tom Dumoulin at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Tom Dumoulin will be eyeing the Giro's time trial stages, including the opening test on Friday
(Image credit: Watson)

Astana at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Italian hope Vincenzo Nibali arrives on stage with his Astana team
(Image credit: Watson)

Astana at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

Astana at the presentation of the 2016 Giro d'Italia
(Image credit: Watson)

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

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.