2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, following the last minute decision by the race organisers to allow the inclusion of his Astana team into the Giro d'Italia, wrapped up a conclusive victory.
“This was a tough Giro and there were many riders who could have won, making it worth as much as the Tour, or even more,” Contador said.
Contador rode to victory aboard Trek's new Madone 6.9, released last year. Eagle eyed followers will have noticed some interesting modifications to his bike throughout the three week race, and his bike gradually spawned more and more pink items.
In the final few stages Contador's Madone 6.9 was replaced with pink decals, matching the Maglia Rose jersey nicely. The Astana team are supplied with SRAM's RED groupset, which Contador's mechanics took to customising by fitting pink hoods in place of the standard black items. Pink bar tape was also spotted in place of the team issue bar tape on some stages too. Giro was in on the game too, supplying the Spaniard with one-off pink Giro Havik eyewear and a similarly coloured Ionos helmet. Pink Sidi overshoes were spotted too at one point, though most of the time Contador's custom pink Sidi Genius 6.6 Carbon shoes were very much on show.
Can you have too much pink? Will it catch on? I'm not sure Contador was at all worried as he hopped onto the top step of the podium.
(We also spotted some less-than-standard chainrings on several of the Astana team's RED cranks - more on that story when we get it.)
" & _
