After throwing some elbows and asserting myself (read: begging day after day, thank you Phillipe!!) I got myself a ride on the Time Trial course with Astana’s Phillipe Maertens following Daniel Navarro Garcia.

I know this is a pro-race and all, but I love the attention to detail a Grand Tour calls for.
For instance, each rider has his own plaque attached to the cars. As we drove through the crowds on the course, everyone could cheer for our rider. “Navarro! Garcia! Navarro Garcia!”

Here’s another fun detail from the Giro: Painted port-a-potty’s!

Lot’s of details and prep work for this whole race, and especially the very media-friendly time trial. Here is Liz Kreutz, gettin’ pimped and ready for the super twisty and hilly course:

Because Daniel Navarro is not in contention for the TT or GC, he got to ride at a “leisurely” pace, which meant 50kph (30 mph) out of the gate and 20kph (~12.5 mph) up hills.

In The Line Up To Follow Daniel Navarro Garcia

The course was a cruelly twisty, climb-y course with over 25k of climing, and tons of twisty descents. There were times that we definitely were not able to keep up with Danny, just seeing spots of blue spandex as we swished around each bend ourselves.

Last Minute Bike Check By Alex From SRAM

Daniel Navarro In The Start House

Taking It Easy At 20kph

The Astana Follow Car

Giro TT Scenery

Giro TT Scenery 2