Fi’zi:k recently announced it was releasing its top range saddles such as the Arione R3 and Antares in colours of the nine pro teams the company are sponsoring this year – here’s the Androni-Giocattoli editionBikeRadar
The Vini Fantini – Selle Italia squad rocked the flouro look – their saddles were certainly eye-catchingBikeRadar
The wheels on Stefano Garzelli, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia’s leader at the Giro are Ursus 12k carbon Miura T45 tubulars – ready for the fast flat stage 1 starting and finishing in Naples tomorrowBikeRadar
FDJ’s Nacer Bouhanni is French national champion tomorrow is could be a contender in the sprint stage finish tomorrowFDJ’s Nacer Bouhanni is French national champion tomorrow is could be a contender in the sprint stage finish tomorrowBikeRadar
While they waited to be called on stage Euskaltel Euskadi parked up and took shelter from the heatBikeRadar
Astana’s Vincenzo Nibali is the home nation’s favourite for the win this year and was a man in demand with the pressBikeRadar
Franco Pellizotti, the Italian national champion stops for a word after being introduced to the crowdsBikeRadar
Paul Smith was along for the ride to see his jersey designs be unveiled – Hesjedal was the first to wear one onto the podium as this year’s defending championBikeRadar
Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltel Euskadi’s leader is running Osymetric chain ringsBikeRadar
Movistar’s Alex Dowsett looking relaxed on the eve of his first grand tourBikeRadar
Wearing the bands of former Australian national champion Jack Bobridge (Orica-Greenedge), will be riding his second Giro – last year he pulled out on the penultimate day to safeguard his Olympic ambitionsBikeRadar
Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) stands tall before being presented to the fansBikeRadar
Specialized went to town on Vincenzo Nibali’s Tarmac SL4, giving his frame a one-off paint job. Nibali gets a shark motif – a reference to his nicknameBikeRadar
The full build of Nibali’s bikeBikeRadar
Team Sky’s Bradley Wiggins rolls out into the piazza to be presentedBikeRadar
The Astana squad roll on Aero Corima Aero+ MCC wheelsBikeRadar
Media duties done for now, defending maglia rosa Ryder Hesjedal makes his way to the presentation areaBikeRadar
Wiggins follows team-mate and domestique Kanstantsin Siutsou – a familiar order through the upcoming race?BikeRadar
Friends Mark Cavendish and Paul Smith have a chatBikeRadar
Christian Vandevelde flies the US flag up onto the Giro presentation stageBikeRadar
The Giro d’Italia’s mascot, Girbecco – a mountain goat – was out to whip up the crowds with his antics before the riders appeared on the stage in NaplesBikeRadar
On the eve of the 96th Giro d’Italia getting underway, the 23 teams that will take part in the three week race were unveiled to fans in the Piazza del Plebiscito.
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The main contenders were presented to the public – Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky), Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and defending champion Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp).
Bikes and kit were gleaming, and some manufacturers – Specialized for example – had gone to town to create something special for the nation’s home favourite Vincenzo Nibali.
Specialized went to town on vincenzo nibali’s tarmac sl4, giving his frame a one-off paint job. nibali gets a shark motif – a reference to his nickname :BikeRadar
Nibali’s special edition S-Works Tarmac SL4
Also cutting a dash was Paul Smith, who designed this year’s competition jerseys and was clearly enjoying a moment in the sun, giving interviews.
The first stage – a 130km jaunt that finishes on the waterfront overlooking the Bay of Naples, is likely to end in a sprint tomorrow.
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Most of the bikes were set up accordingly, with high-profile wheels ready for a fast and furious race that will get the Giro underway.
The vini fantini – selle italia squad rocked the flouro look – their saddles were certainly eye-catching:BikeRadar
Vini Fantini-Selle Italia are riding Cipollini bikes that – like the man himself – are quite flamboyant