The 2012 Giro d'Italia comes down to this one final stage on Sunday, an individual time trial through Milan. For Garmin-Barracuda's Ryder Hesjedal, in second place, he will need to overcome a 31-second delay to capture the maglia rosa (pink jersey) from Joaquim Rodriguez. It is not a safe lead at all for Rodriguez, which bodes well for Hesjedal -- assuming everything goes right for him. Hesjedal could become the first Canadian to win this Italian race.
The route takes the cyclists through a 30 km course in Milan (map). A basically flat stage, Hesjedal should be able to pick up more than 31 seconds on Rodriguez to claim the maglia rosa. All eyes on this race will be focused when Hesjedal and Rodriguez become the final two racers to take the course (complete time table here).
Can Hesjedal make his home country and the city of Boulder, CO, (where Garmin's headquarters are located) proud?
Start time: 5:35 a.m. MT
Expected finish: 9:15 a.m. MT
Broadcast info: Steephill.tv offers streaming links to watch.
Here is a look at the top 10 in the general classification:
Pos. | Name | Country | Team | Time | d |
1 | Joaquim Rodriguez | ESP | KAT | 91:04:16 | 0:00 |
2 | Ryder Hesjedal | CAN | GRM | 91:04:47 | 0:31 |
3 | Michele Scarponi | ITA | LAM | 91:06:07 | 1:51 |
4 | Thomas De Gendt | BEL | VCD | 91:06:34 | 2:18 |
5 | Ivan Basso | ITA | LIQ | 91:07:34 | 3:18 |
6 | Damiano Cunego | ITA | LAM | 91:07:59 | 3:43 |
7 | Rigoberto Uran Uran | COL | SKY | 91:09:08 | 4:52 |
8 | Domenico Pozzovivo | ITA | COG | 91:10:03 | 5:47 |
9 | Mikel Nieve Ituralde | ESP | EUS | 91:10:12 | 5:56 |
10 | John Gadret | FRA | ALM | 91:10:59 | 6:43 |
For more on the 2012 Giro d'Italia, stick with SB Nation Denver and visit cycling blog Podium Cafe.