Author Archives: Patrick Santino

2021 Giro Stage 19: The Anticipation Holds, No Questions Answered

“I tell you, the Alpe di Mera did not give any great answers to these questions today, but really only kicked the can down the road to tomorrow…which for the sake of the Giro was probably the best outcome possible.”

2021 Giro Stage 18: The Cowboy of the Four Hills (Written)

“Remi Cavagna the TGV in front was doing the same tunnel-vision goal-channeling endeavor, in the Zone all humans are when they do things greater than themselves. He was not trying to just hold off the chasers to add another great result that shall increase the value of his next contract. No! No! He was trying to outrun a tsunami! He was trying to stave off the charging bulls behind. He was being hunted by the wiliest and strongest of Cowboys.”

2021 Giro Stage 17: This Giro is Not Yet Over (Written)

“And then with 3km to go, this Giro really roared back into life. Not only were all the fans all out in full force cheering in the riders’ faces in classic intimate and boisterous fashion to make COVID-19 seem a thing of the past, Simon Yates attacked again…and Egan Bernal wearing the Pink Jersey could not follow.”

2021 Giro Stage 16: Creating a Passo Giau Myth in Real Time (Written)

“Pinch yourself for a second, in what other sport in the post-game interview is the athlete asked to explain what happened to a clueless audience? Now, now, continue running with this idea. No TV cameras. Only race official reports, what can be seen from the cars, and what can be gleaned from rider interviews at the finish. Yes, yes, inevitably there were gaps in the stories. Did the journalists admit or simply omit the holes in the story as they came up? Of course not! They took many grand and imaginative liberties.”

2021 Giro Stage 15: The Floodgates Are Open (Written)

“Well, typically the Sundays of a Grand Tour are slotted to have a highly anticipated stage destined to enthrall the viewership with many hours of action, which should be at most viewers’ disposal on a weekend. But with yesterday’s Zoncolan and tomorrow’s day in the Dolomites, many of the riders really did need the Grand Tour “dog days” transition stage.”