Over the course of three days in Ireland the 97th Giro d’Italia rolled past many things dyed or painted pink; sheep, horses, pylons, water skiers, windmills and the hairdo of the mayor of Belfast to name a few.

Now if you are unfamiliar with the Giro, then it’s the first Grand Tour on the racing calendar and this is only the 11th time it has started outside its natural habitat of Italy. First raced in 1909 as a way to boost the sales of the Gazzetta Della Sport, the obsession with pink comes from the colour of the aforementioned paper and has stuck ever since. Thus the person with the quickest aggregate time after three weeks of toil pulls on the Maglia Rosa, or “Pink Jersey”.

The Giro isn’t as well known as the Tour de France but does have the reputation of being the more brutal of the two. Long stages coupled with perverse climbs and frequently terrible weather - just last year they had to rearrange a stage due to the road being closed by snow - mean that the ability to win a Giro goes beyond talent and into the realms of bloody-mindedness. Bradley Wiggins' attempt last year to follow up on his Tour win ended up in a demoralising withdrawal in the second week. British cycling has come a long way, but not this far as yet.

With that in mind it’s been unfortunate that the Tour de France’s well-publicised upcoming long weekend in Yorkshire has meant that the second biggest cycling stage race in the world, starting so close in Northern Ireland, has gone largely under the radar. Not that anyone remembered to tell Belfast this; it was heartening to see how the city had taken to the generally unfamiliar sport, lining every route with London 2012-esque crowds. From the slightly drizzly conditions of Friday night’s Team Time Trial to the grim conditions of the race getting out onto the roads proper on stage two there was a raucously pink, if slightly damp, mob getting into the spirit at all turns.

UK interest in the race was also not helped by a number of high profile names deciding to skip it in favour of a French romance. Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins, Alberto Contador, Mark Cavendish and even last year’s Giro winner - Italian Vincenzo Nibali - were all absent. Add on late withdrawals such as Peter Kennaugh and it meant that the sole Brit in the race was the lonely figure of Team Sky rider Ben Swift. A man who is in fine form and more than capable of taking a couple of stage wins before the finale in Trieste, but still not a name that would register on most non-cycling fans radar.

However, there were Irish riders present. Riders who were given rock star receptions where ever they went. From every second person who had a story of how Sky’s Phillip Deignan had taught them all they knew about cycling, to the generational pressure on the shoulders of Nicolas Roache, son of the 1987 Giro-winning Stephen, it’s obvious that the Irish had bought into the myth of this fine race.

Then there is the third home rider, surrounded whenever he stopped moving, even for a quick sip of water, the unfortunate Dan Martin. I say “unfortunate Dan Martin” because fresh from falling on the last corner of Liege Baston Liege while leading, here his bike slipped from under him on a wet manhole cover during the Team Time Trial. This resulted in a broken collar bone and an early trip back home via a Dublin operating theatre. His Giro lasted less than 20 minutes.

After the two successful days in an Italio-Belfast melting pot, where Svein Tuft took the Maglia rosa on his 37th birthday on Stage 1 and the German pin up-cum-cyclist Marcel Kittle won the bunch sprint on Stage 2, the caravan then moved down to Dublin. Anything the north could do, the south was going to try and go one better. Once again the centre was a riot of pink, and the big crowds along all routes into Dublin hint at the possibility of a lasting united legacy for cycling across the country. Stage 3 again came down to a bunch sprint - and coming from so far back he was almost in a different city, Kittel accelerated past everyone to win it on the line. I do hope Mark Cavendish wasn’t watching that while he warms his cockles on the Tour of California.

A memory the slightly bewildered Italian race organisers and leather-faced journalists will surely take away will be the idiosyncratic Irish weather. Venturing outside in full waterproofs you’d step into a bright warm May afternoon. By the time you’d swapped cagoule for sunglasses the rain would be coming in sideways. A fact that was proved by the sheer amount of kit the riders had on them at all times. Neoprene scuba gloves nestled alongside short sleeved team jerseys.

So now that the Giro d’Italia takes itself back to the more familiar, and warmer, setting of Bari in Southern Italy, what’s going to happen to all that pink? Of all the things that were rustled up by the local tourist board to fit the colour scheme, possibly the most thankful will be our woolly friends. According to a taxi driver I spoke to, and who would discount the wisdom of a cabbie, the pink hair dye used was not fit for human consumption, thus meaning the sheep have been inadvertently saved from becoming a reluctant guest to a Sunday lunch booking.

So, if only for those grateful ovines, the Giro’s Irish adventure can be seen as a rousing success.

BBC Radio 5 live will bring you the latest from the Giro d'Italia until its conclusion on 1 June. You'll also be able to hear commentary on the 2014 Tour de France from it's start in Yorkshire on July 5. You can read more about both Grand Tours on the BBC Sport cycling pages.

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If there is a stage on this year’s Tour that everybody has been waiting for then it’s this one. Stage 18 Gap to Alpe D’Huez: the most famous climb in the Tour, and one of the first climbs ever to be used as a summit finish. It has become a Mecca for cycling fans with its 21 hairpin bends.  

Unfortunately for the riders in the Tour this year they have to do it twice.

Just to spice things up even further, the weather has taken a turn for the worse. Rain is forecast and the impact could be enormous. So far we have had possibly the hottest Tour in recent years; temperatures have rarely dipped below 30C on any of the previous 17 stages. Today in addition to the possibilities of rain, the temperature at altitude is only 14C.

This could play a big part today, 14C may not sound too cold but when you are descending at high speeds and you’re soaking wet the temperature will feel like zero. It could prove very tough for some riders; not everybody can support the cold.

For the first time in the Tour riders may need warm drinks, embrocation on the legs and long sleeved jerseys or wind protection for the upper body. Also, the cold means riders use more calories, so important they eat enough. I’ve seen even experienced riders get caught out: Jan Ullrich springs to mind in 1998 just down the road from here at Les Deux Alpes.

What else can they do? Not much really, the weather is going to be unpredictable maybe both dry and wet at times. If it was wet all day, a different choice of tyre might be possible or a little less air in them to give a slightly larger surface area on the ground, especially as the dreaded descent of Sarenne is bumpy. The descent of this could be crucial today.

It won’t just be the front runners at risk today, if the race is fast from the start, riders tailed off early will face an even tougher day getting through and inside the time limit. It’s tough mentally too. When you are up the front and going well, the cold is less noticeable than if you’re near the rear. It’s the accumulative effect of the cold that will come into play; recovery will be hard after a day in the cold and wet.

Download the BeSpoke podcast for daily Tour de France analysis from commentator Simon Brotherton and the team. Find out more about our live coverage here.

The very unfortunate and unsavoury incident involving Mark Cavendish on Stage 11 of the Tour de France (when a spectator threw a bottle of urine in his face), reminded us all of the dangers and vulnerability of cyclists.

One of the beauties of our sport is the fact that the spectators can get extremely close to the athletes, probably more so than in any sport.

It’s a free-to-view event, spectators - especially in the mountains - are standing on the roads cheering on their heroes, often only inches away from the riders, sometimes even less so.

Inevitably accidents can and do happen, and fortunately they don’t happen too often.

However I thought I’d share ten incidents where the close proximity and sometimes stupidity of individuals can result in accidents.

Some of them are minor; others are more serious, and in some instances causing death and rule changes.

They are in no particular order, and are my memories. I am sure there are many more.

1. The greatest ever - Eddy Merckx being punched in the stomach by a spectator on the Puy de Dome in the 1975 Tour. Watch on Youtube

2. Giuseppe Guerini being knocked off his bike by a spectator taking a photograph on the Alpe D’Huez during the 1999 Tour. Fortunately he picked himself up and still went on to win the stage. Video link  Go to 1min 45 secs

3. The famous crash in Armentieres in 1994 when a policeman, again leaning out to take a photograph, was hit by Wilfried Nelissen, bringing down Laurent Jalabert as well.

The crash effectively ended Nelissen’s career. After this incident police were removed from those positions in the finish straight. Watch on Youtube Go to 21 mins 45 secs

4. Lance Armstrong crashing on Luz Ardiden in the 2003 Tour when his handlebar got caught in a spectator’s musette. Watch on Youtube Go to 1min 10 secs

5. Tacks on the road is nothing new, making an appearance as long ago as 1903 when fans tried to sabotage riders. Similar incidents have occurred most recently in the Pyrenees last year. They also made a smaller appearance in Corsica last week.

6. Dogs make a frequent but unwelcome visit to the Tour, but none more dramatic than the 18^th stage of the Tour to Angouleme in 2007.

Frenchman Sandy Casar was spectacularly felled by a wayward dog whilst in a breakaway. He remounted to go on and win the stage. Watch on Youtube

7. In the Tour of 1958 Andre Darrigade was in a collision with the then General Secretary of the Parc des Princes, Constant Wouters.

The Tour was finishing on the famous Velodrome when Wouters crossed the track to stop photographers encroaching too close.

The crash cost the life of Wouters. Darrigade cracked his skull and broke ribs, but was able to return and complete a lap of honour. Some may find this photo distressing - Photo

8. In 2006 coming into Strasbourg, Thor Hushovd, whilst sprinting to the line close to the barriers, was struck by a comically large sponsors cut-out-hand that you see fans waving.

The hand caught Hushovd on the upper arm causing a deep gash. Fortunately he still stayed upright and went on to finish 9^th. As a result these huge hands were banned within the last 2kms of stages.

9. Strikes and demonstrations are also a frequent visitor to the Tour. Fortunately they are rare nowadays. Police intelligence has reduced the risk of the Tour being brought to a halt. However, historically it was an issue.

10. I must mention one such incident as it was one that I rode in and it involved one of the greatest cyclists of all time. 

It was in 1983 in the Paris-Nice; we were in a break just coming off a mountain descent when the road was completely blocked by a demonstration of  some kind.

Bernard Hinault was in the group but he wasn’t going to let these people stop him, he ploughed straight into them, fell, got up and hit the first person he saw.

The route was soon cleared and we were on our way again very quickly.

Of course it made headlines all over the world.

Incidents like these will happen, fortunately they are rare. It is the nature of our sport to be close to the fans. Take that away and the sport won’t be the same.

Download the BeSpoke podcast for daily analysis from commentator Simon Brotherton and the team.

Six stages down and eight riders are already at home or on the way home. The latest rider out, at the time of writing, is Astana team leader Janez Brajkovic. He had the misfortune to crash with just 10kms remaining of yesterday’s stage to Montpellier.

Visibly shocked and shaken, he courageously rode to the finish only to be ordered by the doctors to abandon the Tour. A very large and deep wound to his knee was considered to be far too serious for him to continue.

It was this latest withdrawal from the race that made me think at least he didn’t have to undergo the at times heart-breaking experience of having to climb into the dreaded ‘Broom Wagon’  - or, in French, the ‘Voiture Balai’. This literally translated as the ‘Sweeper Up’, and it very often has a broom stuck to the front or back of to easily identify it.

The Voiture Balai was introduced to the Tour de France in 1910, and has been a permanent fixture ever since. It is in every pro race in the world: single day or multi-stage.

Picture: US rider David Zabriskie leaves the broom wagon as he abandons the 2005 Tour de France.

At some time in their career every rider will experience the Broom Wagon. Sometimes it is through necessity - either from illness or a fall - or just from the fact that’s not been a good day and they’re well off the pace. Sometimes it’s a relief to get on board, while at others it’s a real disappointment. But the worst time to be swept up is during Le Tour.

I’ve been there. I defy any rider to say he hasn’t shed a tear at climbing into the Tour Broom Wagon. Maybe not immediately but at some time in that journey to the finish, behind the race at the back of the convoy, the reality will hit home. You would rather be anywhere in the world than in that bus.

You climb off the bike, followed by the horrible moments when the Commissaire takes off your race numbers, and the assistant wheels away your bike. It’s an experience that you will never forget.

I was asked the other day if it’s the walk of shame. Maybe there is the odd exception, but no it’s not: nobody abandons the Tour without good reason.  But that doesn’t make it any easier.

Coverage of the Tour de France continues from 3.30pm on Friday 5th July on 5 live Sports Extra. Download the BeSpoke podcast for daily analysis from commentator Simon Brotherton and the team.

Yesterday Mark Cavendish won his 24^th Tour Stage, and he did it with ease. He’s arguably the best sprinter that the cycling world has ever seen.

Sprinters are a special breed, but what makes a good one and what makes Mark Cavendish stand out from the rest?

You obviously need speed, but how does the Manx Missile manage to create more than Peter Sagan, who has come second twice so far in this year's Tour, and third yesterday?

The answer is strength, power, and aggression. But you also need cunning bike-handling ability, a cool head, and most of all you need to be fearless. These guys do not give way.

The build of a sprinter is more muscular, often stockier than the leaner all-rounders or climbers.  

But it’s the burst of power that Cav generates in such a short space of time that separates him from the best of the rest. In one or two revolutions of the wheel he can get a wheel, or bike lengths clearance – this is astonishing.

However, it’s no good being superfast if you don’t have the bravery to see a gap or the craft to pick the right wheel, or the calmness to wait; not to sprint too early.

I have watched him for a good few years now and it still amazes me how he never panics in such an intense environment. He always seems to be in complete control.

He is a phenomenon and we are privileged to see him

Simon Brotherton - 5 live cycling commentator:

Mark Cavendish’s win in Marseille showed again how he’s the master when it comes to sprinting and further cemented my opinion that he’s the greatest sprinter in the history of the Tour de France.

His Omega Pharma Quick Step team mates filled their part of the equation admirably by putting him in the right place as the race headed for the finish, but it could all have gone wrong had he made the wrong choice at any moment in the final few hundred metres.

There are so many split second decisions to take in the melee of a mass gallop, but Cavendish reads a race like no one else. He doesn’t panic and has an acceleration when he makes his move that makes him almost impossible to live with. He’s got a very aerodynamic, small frontal area when down on the drops of the handlebars, and takes hardly any time to accelerate, unlike some of his bigger, more muscular rivals.

The Manxman also has what can only be described as a second acceleration, which I guess is rather like a turbo boost in a computer game. Twenty-four stage wins leaves him just one short of joint 3^rd place on the all time in the Tour alongside Andre Leducq, with only Bernard Hinault on 28 and Eddy Merckx with 34 stage wins ahead of him.

His success rate in the most competitive and ruthless cycling environment in the world is remarkable and we’re watching a truly special talent. Today’s stage takes the riders to Montpellier and will be on Cavendish’s list. He’s won here at this very spot outside the rugby ground before.

Coverage of the Tour de France continues from 3.30pm on Thursday 4 July on 5 live Sports Extra. Download the BeSpoke podcast for daily analysis from commentator Simon Brotherton and the team.

 

Thirty-two years ago a young Phil Anderson became the first Aussie to don the coveted Maillot Jaune. It’s a day I remember very well; I was Phil’s team and roommate at the time in that year’s Tour in 1981. Back then cyclists from outside Europe were a novelty. The odd American, Australian, South African or South American was something new for what was basically a European sport.

The French were quick to give this Aussie a nickname: Skippy or ‘Le Kangaroo’. Very original of course, but I’m not sure even he, and of course Allan Peiper - another pioneer of Australian cycling at that time - could ever imagine what they’d started.

From then, via the Sydney Olympics, Australian cycling is now reaping the rewards. It is a system that Great Britain has followed, and their success is now well-documented.

The two nation’s similarities don’t end there. Australia beat Great Britain to the first Tour de France win with Cadel Evans a year earlier than Bradley Wiggins did for Britain, but Evans was riding for a European team. Wiggins did it with the British-backed Team Sky.

Australia’s first real top level pro team – Orica-GreenEdge - was to follow a couple of years after Team Sky, due largely to the drive and determination of Shayne Bannan who followed Team Sky’s model.

Yesterday’s Stage 4 Team Time Trial win by Orica-GreenEdge was their second consecutive stage win of this year’s Tour, and in so doing put Simon Gerrans in Yellow. Thirty-two years after Phil Anderson - one of his idols and his first coach.

2012 was a difficult first year for the team. They, like Team Sky, made mistakes but they learnt and through clever management and hard work are starting to reap the rewards.

Developing a team takes patience. Young riders who might develop into winners have to be given time – Chris Froome’s future at Team Sky was in doubt a while ago. Now here he is leading Team Sky for what he hopes could be six years or more. But they couldn’t do it without their work horses - or ‘domestiques’, as they’re called. Getting on well with your teammates is essential. A team with good morale and a good atmosphere has a much better chance of winning.

But the riders are just one piece of the jigsaw. There are so many things that have to be done to put a team together from scratch. Infrastructure, cars, buses, and logistics apart; the backroom staff must to be top-notch too. Here again a blend of youth and experience is vital. These guys spend a lot of time together. The first year is all about the learning curve and maybe at times managers have to be brutal and change or replace personnel until they get it right.

Orica-GreenEdge are now getting it right. They already have had a dream Tour just four stages in. Simon Gerrons has the leader’s jersey and he will probably have it for three more days. They may lose the jersey at the Pyrenees, but it probably won’t be the last we see of them in this year’s Tour.

Coverage of the Tour de France continues from 3.30pm on Wednesday 3 July on 5 live Sports Extra. Download the BeSpoke podcast for daily analysis from commentator Simon Brotherton and the team.

I thought long and hard about how to describe the great, yet fatally flawed Italian cyclist Marco Pantani.

In the end, a quote from writer and journalist Matt Rendell summed up everything I was trying to say:

“Italy adored Pantani as England did Paul Gascoigne, and as with Gazza, that affection evolved over the years: initially, he dazzled with his sporting talent; later, he surprised with his vulnerability; finally, he appalled with his transgressions.

“Pantani, the great climber, full of subversive trickery, with his bent nose, ears which stuck out and bald head wrapped in a bandana that he would throw down before each Promethean acceleration.”

That’s the Pantani I grew up adoring, even though I lived more than a thousand miles from his place of birth.

His nickname was ‘Il Pirata’ - the pirate. It was the perfect nom du guerre to match his romantic, almost quixotic style.

And it wasn’t just me. Pantani was the hero of a nation, an iconic figure in a sport full of bad morals and worse drugs.

Relentless in his ability to soar away from the peloton on the biggest stages of the greatest races, he was regarded as the only man capable of challenging the dominance of Lance Armstrong.

His solo ride to the top of Alpe d’Huez in the 1995 Tour De France remains one of the sports’ most remarkable feats, and his battle with Armstrong to the summit of Mont Ventoux five years later, although tarnished forever, pitted two remarkable pharmaceutical creations against one another, mano-a-mano. It is still incredible viewing.

In 1998 Pantani won both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour De France, something few cyclists ever attempt let alone succeed at. Fifteen years on from that incredible double win, as 5 live Sport gets set to broadcast the Giro for the very first time, we look back at his tragic career, at what he meant to Italy and how his legacy is viewed now in a sport whose landscape has changed so dramatically since his EPO fuelled achievements.

Marco Pantani died alone in a hotel room in Rimini in 2004 of acute cocaine poisoning. He had gone from a two wheeled legend to a lost, defeated shadow of the man who had charmed a sport and enthralled a nation.

Lance Armstrong once said: “I always thought he was more of an artist than an athlete - an extravagant figure, a Salvador Dalì.

“That's why people were so fond of him.”

We’ll talk to his mother, Tonina and his friend Enzo Vicennati, as well as Matt Rendell whose book The Death of Marco Pantani won the National Sporting Club Book of the Year as we try and define his standing in a sport as flawed as he was.

5 live Sport’s The End Of A Troubled Ride at 10pm on Wednesday 1^st May. The programme will be available to download after broadcast here.