Sestriere, 28 maggio 2005 - While the top five positions on the overall GC didn't change today following the Tour of Italy's brutal 19th stage, it wasn't for a lack of trying. The 190 km stage was epic in its ebbs and flows, finally being capped by Paolo Savoldelli retaining his position as leader of the race by a scant 28 seconds over a game Gilberto Simoni and 45 seconds over climbing sensation and today's stage winner, Jose Rujano.
Today's effort by Savoldelli, keeping within himself on the brutal climb of the Colle della Finestre, booming down its windy and dangerous descent and then again climbing at his own pace on the final climb to Sestriere, all but locked up the 88th Giro for the Italian.
Savoldelli had all but the kitchen sink thrown at him by his rivals and with Simoni, Rujano and Danilo Di Luca up the road, the quiet Discovery Channel rider kept it together and kept the race lead.
"It was a very very stressful day," said the team's sports manager, Johan Bruyneel. "Of course we knew Simoni would attack and that probably Paolo wouldn't be able to follow. I think he rode very smart when he didn't react first to Rujano and then to Simoni (on the Finestre). He had seen the climb in training and did it on his own pace. When you aren't a climbing specialist, it's always best to go at your own pace. Unfortunately, it was very steep and he had lost his lead to Simoni (2:09 at the start of the stage) at the top. On the other hand, when you are off the front, you eventually pay for the effort you've done."
Bruyneel added - "Also we knew after the downhill Paolo would pick up some guys who were dropped so he wouldn't be alone and fortunately, he received some help from the other guys as they were also fighting for their overall positions."
Bruyneel added that the team received a bit of luck when Simoni "cracked a bit at the end" on the finishing climb - if he stayed with winner Rujano and gained the time bonus at the line, he might have taken the lead.
Barring disaster on the road to Milan tomorrow, the team is just 119 kilometers away from winning its first Grand Tour for new title sponsor Discovery Channel and the third for the team overall, having won six Tours de France with Lance Armstrong and one Tour of Spain with Roberto Heras.
"We brought on Paolo for that purpose," Bruyneel said. "He won the race three years ago and followed it with two years of bad luck. We always thought it was possible to win. I've always maintained a podium finish was the goal, so if it goes on well for you, there can be a chance to win."
Earlier this week, Bruyneel confirmed Savoldelli would indeed take the start at this summer's Tour de France.
"France is another thing," he said. "It's definitely won't be the same approach for him as it was preparing for the Giro. First, I need him to recover and set his mind. I'll leave him alone for a week and let him really taste this victory. Then, we'll set his mind on July. I don't want him to be obsessive about it. If he's in good shape, he will do his job. He can ride without stress and if he doesn't let his fitness come down too much, by the time the race reaches the mountains, he will be able to do what we need him to do."