Remixed frizzante

In true Italian style we start each day with an espresso or three. Today, while waiting for stage 12 to get underway in Forlì, however, our barista took things to the next level.

He was working the dual Segafredo machines like a skilled DJ working the decks, before making the seemingly-odd decision to fill the machines with frizzante (mineral water). The water reservoir started bubbling away before the machines suddenly stopped working altogether.

Luckily DJ Espresso knew exactly what to do, whipping off the lids to the reservoirs and kneading the pipes that sucked up the water to break the airlock caused by the bubbles. We got our coffees (and a show) but I wasn’t sure whether to applaud or quietly recommend he use tap water next time.

Slim pickings

Today was the longest stage of the Giro, but by no means the most eventful. The route made its way over two smaller climbs before a flat run into the finish.

We had targeted the first climb as our first spot to shoot. However, once we got there we found a swarming throng of photographers and cars already settled in. As always, we try to bring you, dear reader, the race from a different angle, so we took a gamble and drove straight past to the descent.

Single shot

With a classic sprint finish on offer (and not much else), there were photographers everywhere staking their spots by the time we arrived.

One guy had a large format film camera on a tripod setup and ready to go. I’m not sure how he hoped to capture the riders sprinting towards the finish with only a single sheet of film. It is like having only one bullet in the chamber - miss and you’re screwed. I'd be very interested to see how his shot turned out.

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