Collo di Casaglia

Mike and I were up and out early to get a position on the first of two Apennine climbs on the 12th stage of the 100th Giro d'Italia.

We did a lot of excited waiting accompanied by coffee, beer, panini and lots of good natured folk.

It was a largely local and Italian affair. Loads of blokes and some women had cycled up in full Lycra from the Tuscan and Romagnian sides of the mountains.

A lead group of three came belting through at 13.20 before the main bunch steamrollered by going a good 20 mph after just breasting the 900m climb.

I had set the camera up as best I could and just kept my finger on the shutter release for thirty seconds. The sun slipped behind the clouds just before the main bunch came through.

It is a complete circus with hundreds of motorcycle policemen, the team cars, the media and the ambulances following behind. The cavalcade was in no mood for hold up and by the time the pelaton were steaming down the long descent the cars were having to put a shift on to keep up. My position on the edge of the a sharp left-hand band felt at times a little precarious. But it was glorious. (The extra is of a rider who has been dropped by the main bunch pushing on behind his team car to make up the gap.)

Later we made the descent by car behind a good amateur cyclist who was going at 40mph down the winding road with its tight hairpin bends and occasional large trucks hauling timber up the hill.

It was a smashing day.