G4 at the Races: Vuelta al Pais Vasco

This week we’ve been following the exploits of #thegreenmachine at Vuelta al Pais Vasco.

There’s nothing we like more than a bit of bike bling. Those Cannondale Evo bikes look mighty fine and ready to roll at the start of the race.

Young Basque cycling fans are very knowledgeable. Here they are queuing for Alberto Bettiol‘s autograph. He was the youngest competitor in the race.

Day one, stage one, it’s got to be the team presentation.

The day dawned bright and sunny in Ordizia ahead of a particularly testing opening stage which included eight categorized climbs.

A welcome sight at the end of the stage for our boys in lime green. Nice t-shirts guys, where did you get those?

Young Davide Villella picked up a few King of the Mountain points on day one to earn himself the spotted jersey. We think he looks mighty fine in it. Don’t you?

A certain Mr Alberto Contador caused a bit of a queue at the sign in for stage two. Still the wearer of the leader’s jersey does merit a few privileges.

There are no “easy” stages in the Basque country. Here’s Damiano Caruso coming in with the bunch on stage two.

The day’s profile being taped to the handlebars. Always nice to have information on the upcoming climbs. But we’re in the Basque country so the answer’s “it’s going to be steep!”

The troops assembling before the stage start is always a photo opportunity for the many fans of #thegreenmachine. Unsuprisingly, they wanted their photos taken with Davide who’s still in possession of the King of the Mountain’s jersey.

Here’s team captain Damiano Caruso finishing at Eibar, the queen stage every year and another tough one. That’s right there are no easy stages in the Basque country.

A bit of quiet reflection for Daniele Ratto before the damp start to stage five. The sun came out and soon the roads were dry which was probably a disappointment to Daniele who’s great when the roads, particularly the descents, are slippery and wet.

Managed to catch Christiano Salerno mid-race on stage five after the peloton had been blown apart on the various climbs.

Can you ever have too much bike bling? We certainly don’t think so.

Here’s the King of the Mountains coming home on the final stage. He seized the jersey on day one and held onto it all week – no mean feat!

The team’s only Frenchman, Jean-Marc Marino, with this year’s must have accessory – a beard!

The final podium and yet another of #thegreenmachine has secured a jersey. In Volta a Catalunya Michel Koch won the points’ jersey and now Davide Villella is King of the Basque mountains!