2008 Giro d'Italia

July 2020 Giro d Italia 2008.png 400px Map of Italy showing the path of the race, starting in the island of Sardinia to the south of the Italian mainland and heading north through the country to end in Milan Overview of the stages: route from Palermo to Milan covered by the riders on the bicycle (red) and distances between stages (green). 10 May – 1 June 2008 21 3407 km 89h 56' 49" Alberto Contador ESP AST 2008 pink Riccardo Riccò ITA FUJ 2008a Marzio Bruseghin ITA LAM 2008 Daniele Bennati ITA LIQ 2008 violet Emanuele Sella ITA CSF 2008 green Riccardo Riccò ITA FUJ 2008a white Fortunato Baliani ITA CSF 2008 Emanuele Sella ITA CSF 2008 red number CSF 2008 LIQ 2008 2007 2009 The 2008 Giro d'Italia was the 91st running of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It began in Palermo on 10 May and ended in Milan on 1 June. Twenty-two teams entered the race, which was won by Spaniard Alberto Contador of the AST 2008 cycling team. Second and third respectively were Italians Riccardo Riccò and Marzio Bruseghin. Contador first took the race lead after the second mountain stage, to Marmolada, by finishing nearly fifteen minutes ahead of previous race leader Gabriele Bosisio. The race's overall classification had been headed for several days beforehand by Giovanni Visconti, who participated in a breakaway in the sixth stage which won him sufficient time to hold the race leader's pink jersey for more than a week. In the race's final week, Contador faced stern challenges from Riccò and defending Giro champion Danilo Di Luca. Though Contador did not win any stage, his performances were consistently strong enough to remain ahead through to the conclusion of the race. Team CSF 2008 appeared to perform quite well in the race, coming away with four stage wins and victory in the mountains classification and the Trofeo Fast Team. In August 2008, mountains classification winner Emanuele Sella was announced to have tested positive for methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (better known as Mircera, an erythropoietin derivative) at an out-of-competition control held by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).Jeff Jones and Gregor Brown http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/emmanuele-sella-positive-for-epo-17903/ Emmanuele Sella positive for EPO 2008-08-05 BikeRadar.com 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20120429015835/http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/emmanuele-sella-positive-for-epo-17903/ 29 April 2012 live He subsequently admitted his doping, and named teammate Matteo Priamo as his supplier.Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/nov08/nov25news2 Italy's anti-doping prosecutor meets with Priamo 2008-11-25 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20140105053350/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/nov08/nov25news2 5 January 2014 live Both riders were subsequently suspended. Though as of April 2010 no definitive positive results have come to light from samples taken during the Giro, retesting of those samples has reportedly revealed six to seven presumptive positives for Mircera.Cycling News http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2008-giro-six-to-seven-possible-cera-positives 2008 Giro: Six to seven possible CERA positives 2009-10-30 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20091128050257/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2008-giro-six-to-seven-possible-cera-positives 28 November 2009 live Riccò, who tested positive for the drug at the 2008 Tour de France, is among those suspected of having given positive tests in the Giro, as is Sella.Conal Andrews http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/2104/New-CERA-suspected-from-2008-Giro-while-undetectable-ozone-doping-pinpointed.aspx New CERA suspected from 2008 Giro, while 'undetectable' ozone doping pinpointed 2009-10-30 VeloNation 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20120229083627/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/2104/New-CERA-suspected-from-2008-Giro-while-undetectable-ozone-doping-pinpointed.aspx 29 February 2012 live Teams List of teams and cyclists in the 2008 Giro d'Italia Twenty-two teams participated in the 2008 Giro. These included 16 UCI ProTour teams, and six UCI Professional Continental teams. Of the 18 ProTour teams, the two left out were BBO 2008 and C.A 2008. Two other ProTour teams, AST 2008 and THR 2008a, were left off the first list of teams announced by RCS Sport, the organizers of the Giro.Stephen Farrand ASTANA AND HIGH ROAD NOT INVITED TO 2008 GIRO D'ITALIA http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/astana-and-high-road-not-invited-to-2008-giro-ditalia-98498 Cycling Weekly 2008-02-01 2009-07-11 This list also included a further Professional Continental team, NGC 2008, which was later excluded.Stephen Farrand GIRO CONFIRMS ASTANA INVITE, NGC LEFT OUT http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/giro-confirms-astana-invite-ngc-left-out-96350 Cycling Weekly 2008-05-04 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715011601/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/giro-confirms-astana-invite-ngc-left-out-96350 15 July 2014 live Astana and Team High Road were both later added, with Astana's invitation coming just six days before the event began.AFP Direct Astana Will Race The Giro http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s-3-10-17106-1,00.html Cycling Weekly 2008-05-04 2009-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20080512025213/http://www.bicycling.com/article/0%2C6610%2Cs-3-10-17106-1%2C00.html 12 May 2008 dead Team High Road Team High Road Get Invite http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/News2008/20080215_High_Road.asp British Cycling 2008-02-16 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20080417194457/http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/News2008/20080215_High_Road.asp 17 April 2008 The 22 teams who took part in the race were:http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=startlist Start list 2008-05-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106113512/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=startlist 6 January 2014 live 22em ALM 2008 AST 2008 BAR 2008 GCE 2008 COF 2008 CSF 2008 SDA 2008 EUS 2008 FDJ 2008 GST 2008 LAM 2008 LIQ 2008 LPR 2008 QST 2008 RAB 2008 FUJ 2008a SIL 2008 GRM 2008a SAX 2008a THR 2008a MRM 2008 TCS 2008 Race previews and favorites The 2008 Giro featured an assortment of contenders for the overall victory. Defending champion Danilo Di Luca had faced potential bans which would have kept him out of the race, after investigations into his involvement with the Oil for Drugs scandal and an irregular doping test given after stage 17 of the 2007 Giro d'Italia, either of which could have resulted in a two-year suspension.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2008-04-01-4044563273_x.htm Andrew Dampf Associated Press Giro d'Italia champion Danilo Di Luca skips doping hearing 2008-04-21 USA Today Gannett Company 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025192813/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2008-04-01-4044563273_x.htm 25 October 2012 live Though he was suspended for three months because of Oil for Drugs, http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/news/road/cas-upholds-di-luca-suspension_75642 CAS upholds Di Luca suspension 2008-05-01 VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20120829181936/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/news/road/cas-upholds-di-luca-suspension_75642 29 August 2012 live he was cleared by the Italian National Olympic Committee of any wrongdoing in the 2007 Giro, https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3349348&type=story Reuters UPDATE 2-Cycling-Di Luca cleared of doping 2008-04-16 ESPN 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103164635/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3349348&type=story 3 November 2012 live and was thus permitted to start. thumb|right|AST 2008's Andreas Klöden was considered among the race's overall favorites.|alt=A cyclist in a blue and yellow jersey with white trim. His bicycle is not visible, but he is in riding position. He wears sunglasses, a helmet to match his jersey, and a bandage on his nose. The late invitation of AST 2008 to the race provided three potential contenders: 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, third-place finisher from that race Levi Leipheimer, and Andreas Klöden. One analysis of pre-race favorites considered Klöden to be the strongest of them,http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/giro-ditalia-2008-who-will-win-96311 Lionel Birnie GIRO D'ITALIA 2008: WHO WILL WIN? 2008-05-07 Cycling Weekly 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20091125175122/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/347119/giro-d-italia-2008-who-will-win.html 25 November 2009 live while another considered Contador to be the race's biggest favorite after his wins at the recently run Vuelta al País Vasco and Vuelta a Castilla y León. http://www.roadcycling.com/2008_Giro_Preview Gerald Churchill 2008 Giro d'Italia Preview 2008-05-08 Road Cycling 2014-08-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110927161222/http://www.roadcycling.com/articles/2008_Giro_Preview_002150.shtml 27 September 2011 Both Di Luca and Contador had strong domestiques (support riders) by their sides, with Di Luca joined by two-time Giro d'Italia champion Paolo Savoldelli, Gabriele Bosisio, and Alessandro Spezialetti, and Contador by Leipheimer and Klöden.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=favourites Gregor Brown Palermo to Milano – The Corsa Rosa promises excitement 2008-05-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106041423/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=favourites 6 January 2014 live Other riders named as overall contenders included Denis Menchov, Gilberto Simoni, Vincenzo Nibali, Riccardo Riccò, Mauricio Soler, Marzio Bruseghin, Emanuele Sella, Evgeni Petrov, Franco Pellizotti, and Juan Manuel Gárate. Unibet.com's odds-on favorite was Klöden. 2004 Giro d'Italia winner Damiano Cunego chose to skip the race to better prepare for the Tour de France, adding to speculation that this would be the first Giro since 1996 to feature a non-Italian winner. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/giro-ditalia-2008-preview-96318 Lionel Birnie GIRO D'ITALIA 2008 PREVIEW 2008-05-07 Cycling Weekly 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715012013/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/giro-ditalia-2008-preview-96318 15 July 2014 live Six stages were classified as flat and likely to be contested by sprinters. Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi, who had notably won nine stages in the 2004 race, did not plan to enter this Giro because of bouts with influenza and bronchitis which hindered his training.http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/news/road/cas-suspends-petacchi_75891 CAS suspends Petacchi 2008-05-07 VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc 2009-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20160113205442/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/news/road/cas-suspends-petacchi_75891 13 January 2016 live He was later suspended from the sport, and his contract with Team Milram terminated, http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/news/road/milram-sacks-petacchi_76355 VeloNews.com Milram sacks Petacchi 2008-05-16 VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc 2009-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20120910205418/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/news/road/milram-sacks-petacchi_76355 10 September 2012 live as a result of his controversial doping case from the 2007 Giro. Sprinters identified as being favorites in the bunch finishes that the Giro would offer included Alexandre Usov, Dimitry Muravyev, Enrico Gasparotto, Maximiliano Richeze, Robert Förster, Mark Cavendish, André Greipel, Daniele Bennati, Paolo Bettini, Graeme Brown, Robbie McEwen, Julian Dean, Erik Zabel, and Alberto Loddo. Richeze was withdrawn by his team CSF 2008 the day before the race began after a positive doping test, though he would later be cleared of any wrongdoing.Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/aug08/aug29news2 Richeze fires back after warning 2008-08-29 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20150906231741/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/aug08/aug29news2 6 September 2015 live His name remained on the start list, and he was not replaced, meaning CSF 2008 yes entered the race with only eight riders instead of the customary nine. http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/news/road/ariel-richeze-is-withdrawn-from-2008-giro-ditalia-start-list_75984 Agence France Presse Ariel Richeze is withdrawn from 2008 Giro d'Italia start list 2008-05-09 VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715012159/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/news/road/ariel-richeze-is-withdrawn-from-2008-giro-ditalia-start-list_75984 15 July 2014 live Route and stages The race began for the second year in succession with a team time trial on one of Italy's islands, in this case Sicily (in 2007 it had been Sardinia). The route contained only four stages that were officially deemed mountain stages, but several of the seven intermediate stages contained selective climbs. The Giro had four time trials, three of which were individual and one a team event. Six stages were classified as flat. http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/tappe/tappe_en.shtml Stages Gazzetta 2009-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20130314002755/http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/tappe/tappe_en.shtml 14 March 2013 live The sixth stage was originally scheduled to be 265 km 0 on in length, but it was shortened the day before it was to be run. This decision was made because many riders in the race had become upset over the lengths of transfers from the end of one stage to the beginning of the next and that this afforded them little rest to prepare for such long stages. The 34 km 0 on Circuito del Gargano was eliminated.Sue George Giro stage six shortened http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/may08/may15news Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2008-05-15 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20150709162928/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/may08/may15news 9 July 2015 live Of the four official mountain stages, three ended with climbs: stage 14 to Alpe di Pampeago,http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=stages/giro0814 Stage 14 – Saturday, May 24: Verona – Alpe di Pampeago/Val di Fiemme, 195km 2008-05-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106102920/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=stages%2Fgiro0814 6 January 2014 live stage 15 to Passo Fedaia,http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=stages/giro0815 Stage 15 – Sunday, May 25: Arabba – Passo Fedaia/Marmolada (Dolomites Stars), 153km 2008-05-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106085606/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=stages/giro0815 6 January 2014 live and stage 19 to Presolana.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=stages/giro0819 Stage 19 – Friday, May 30: Legnano – Presolana/Monte Pora, 238km 2008-05-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20140508082157/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=stages%2Fgiro0819 8 May 2014 live Stage 20 earned its mountain designation by way of the Passo di Gavia and the Passo del Mortirolo, respectively the highest point reached and the steepest climb of this year's Giro.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=stages/giro0820 Stage 20 – Saturday, May 31: Rovetta – Tirano, 224km 2008-05-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20140508140536/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=stages/giro0820 8 May 2014 live Two other stages had summit arrivals, stage 7 to Pescocostanzo and the demanding stage 16 climbing time trial to Plan de Corones, the summit of which the Giro had never before visited.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=stages/giro0816 Stage 16 – Monday, May 26: San Vigilio di Marebbe – Plan de Corones (Individual Time Trial), 12.85 km 2008-05-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106101702/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=stages%2Fgiro0816 6 January 2014 live It was hoped that the number of time trials, including one on the race's last day, would keep the race hotly contested to the end.Gregor Brown and Tim Maloney http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=presentation Time trials mark another testing Giro d'Italia Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20091213102936/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=presentation 13 December 2009 live + Stage characteristics and winnersStageDateCourseDistanceTypeWinner1 10 MayPalermo 23.6 km 1 on22px|link=|alt=Team time trialGRM 2008a211 MayCefalù to Agrigento 207 km 0 onlink=|alt=Intermediate stageRiccardo Riccò ITA312 MayCatania to Milazzo 221 km 0 on22px|link=|alt=Flat stageDaniele Bennati ITA413 MayPizzo Calabro to Catanzaro-Lungomare 183 km 0 on22px|link=|alt=Flat stageMark Cavendish GBR514 MayBelvedere Marittimo to Contursi Terme 203 km 0 onlink=|alt=Intermediate stagePavel Brutt RUS615 MayPotenza to Peschici 231.6 km 1 onlink=|alt=Intermediate stageMatteo Priamo ITA716 MayVasto to Pescocostanzo 180 km 0 onlink=|alt=Intermediate stageGabriele Bosisio ITA817 MayRivisondoli to Tivoli 208 km 0 onlink=|alt=Intermediate stageRiccardo Riccò ITA918 MayCivitavecchia to San Vincenzo 218 km 0 on22px|link=|alt=Flat stageDaniele Bennati ITA19 May Rest day1020 MayPesaro to Urbino 39.4 km 1 on22px|link=|alt=Individual time trialMarzio Bruseghin ITA1121 MayUrbania to Cesena 199 km 0 onlink=|alt=Intermediate stageAlessandro Bertolini ITA1222 MayForlì to Carpi 172 km 0 onlink=|alt=Flat stageDaniele Bennati ITA1323 MayModena to Cittadella 177 km 0 onlink=|alt=Flat stageMark Cavendish GBR1424 MayVerona to Alpe di Pampeago 195 km 0 on link=|alt=Mountain stageEmanuele Sella ITA1525 MayArabba to Passo Fedaia 153 km 0 on link=|alt=Mountain stageEmanuele Sella ITA1626 MaySan Vigilio di Marebbe to Plan de Corones 12.8 km 1 on22px|link=|alt=Individual time trialFranco Pellizotti ITA27 MayRest day1728 MaySondrio to Locarno (Switzerland) 146 km 0 onlink=|alt=Flat stageAndré Greipel GER1829 MayMendrisio (Switzerland) to Varese 147 km 0 onlink=|alt=Intermediate stageJens Voigt GER1930 MayLegnano to Presolana 238 km 0 on link=|alt=Mountain stageVasil Kiryienka BLR2031 MayRovetta to Tirano 224 km 0 on link=|alt=Mountain stageEmanuele Sella ITA211 JuneMilan28.5 km 1 on22px|link=|alt=Individual time trialMarco Pinotti ITA Total 3407 km 0 on Race overview 2008 Giro d'Italia, Stage 1 to Stage 11 2008 Giro d'Italia, Stage 12 to Stage 21 The Giro started with a team time trial in Sicily. There was pre-race speculation that this stage would result in an American rider wearing the pink jersey for the first time in twenty years, as GRM 2008a yes, SAX 2008a yes, and AST 2008 yes were among the biggest favorites to win and all had strong American time trialists on their squads.Andrew Hood http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/mtb/91st-giro-ditalia-another-american-in-pink_75948 91st Giro d'Italia: Another American in pink? 2008-05-08 VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc 2009-11-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715012644/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/05/mtb/91st-giro-ditalia-another-american-in-pink_75948 15 July 2014 live The victory went to GRM 2008a yes, which put their team leader, American Christian Vande Velde, in the first pink jersey.Shane Stokes and Bjorn Haake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro081 Slipstream shows speed in Sicily 2008-05-10 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106115353/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro081 6 January 2014 live With a hilly stage ahead on day two of the Giro, Vande Velde's race lead was far from secure. He lost it to Franco Pellizotti, who finished sufficiently ahead of Vande Velde on the stage to take a lead of a single second in the overall classification.Shane Stokes and Susan Westemeyer http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro082 Riccò strikes to win, Pellizotti pips Vande Velde in maglia rosa fight 2008-05-11 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20140505022428/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro082 5 May 2014 live Pellizotti retained the race lead for the next three days, as those stages were flat and were contested by sprinters, with the overall favorites finishing together with the peloton in each. thumb|left|Italian national road race champion Giovanni Visconti was the overall leader of the Giro for eight stages.|alt=A man in his mid twenties wearing a cycling jersey bearing green, white, and red stripes. He wears sunglasses, and is looking downward. The sixth stage was shortened from its original length of 265 km on to 231.6 km 1 on. This was still the race's second-longest stage, and it featured a breakaway which shook up the race standings. Eleven riders finished nearly twelve minutes in front of the peloton, and reigning Italian national road race champion Giovanni Visconti assumed the race lead, by a margin of less than one second over fellow breakaway member Matthias Russ. Russ had begun the stage 13 seconds ahead of Visconti in the overall classification, but with Visconti gaining seven seconds on Russ at the finish line and six in bonification on the stage's intermediate sprint, the young Italian became the next to wear the pink jersey.Shane Stokes and Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro086 Priamo nets first Giro win while Visconti lands big catch 2008-05-15 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106081322/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro086 6 January 2014 live Visconti and his team QST 2008 yes ably defended the jersey for nine days, keeping it through the hilly seventh and eighth stages, as well as in the individual time trial in stage 11 and in three flat stages. Visconti eventually lost the lead on stage 14, the Giro's first stage categorized as high mountain, as he finished more than eighteen minutes behind stage winner Emanuele Sella.Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0814 Sella dominates Giro's first high-mountain stage 2008-05-24 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106115329/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0814 6 January 2014 live The race lead passed to Gabriele Bosisio after that stage, but he was unable to hold it the next day, finishing fifteen minutes behind Sella, again the stage winner. It was on this stage that Alberto Contador took the lead that he would never relinquish.Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0815 Dolomite delight: Italy's Sella doubles, Contador in maglia rosa 2008-05-25 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106112130/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0815 6 January 2014 live thumb|Giro champion Alberto Contador during the stage 21 individual time trial.|alt=A cyclist wearing a pink skinsuit and shoes, sitting crouched in an aerodynamic position over his bicycle. Spectators watch from the roadside. Contador faced repeated challenges from Riccardo Riccò and Danilo Di Luca in the race's final week. They were separated by less than a minute after stage 15, and though Di Luca would falter slightly in the Giro's second individual time trial,Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0816 Franco Pellizotti is king of Corones 2008-05-26 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106122115/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0816 6 January 2014 live the time gap among the three of them was just 21 seconds heading in to the Giro's final mountain stage.Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0819 Contador proves tough under Di Luca's pressure 2008-05-26 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106123739/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0819 6 January 2014 live Di Luca faltered further in that last mountain stage, losing almost five minutes and any chance to repeat as Giro champion, but Contador and Riccò finished together and were separated by only four seconds going into the Giro's final stage, another individual time trial.Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0820 Contador one step closer to pink dream 2008-05-31 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106115340/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0820 6 January 2014 live Contador's superior time trial skills provided the difference in the Giro's finale. Though he finished 11th on the stage, he gained almost two minutes over Riccò, winning the Giro overall without taking any individual stage.Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0821 Hola! Contador conquers second Grand Tour 2008-06-01 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20091213161517/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0821 13 December 2009 live Emanuele Sella of CSF 2008 yes won three stages in the race's final weekhttp://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0814 Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake Sella dominates Giro's first high-mountain stage 2008-05-24 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20150122062137/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0814 22 January 2015 livehttp://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0820 Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake Contador one step closer to pink dream 2008-05-26 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106115340/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0820 6 January 2014 live and took a convincing victory in the mountains classification, leading it for the entire race. His subsequent positive tests and confessions to the use of performance-enhancing drugs outside the Giro cast serious doubt on the legitimacy of these results, however. Daniele Bennati was nearly as dominant in winning the points classification, taking three stage wins and six other top-ten finishes. He led the classification after every stage except the second and eighth, which were both won by Riccò, who thereby gained the mauve jersey for one day on two separate occasions. Though Riccò was never able to take the overall race lead, he was the winner of the youth classification, taking the white jersey from Visconti when he lost the overall lead and holding it through the conclusion of the race. That jersey had also previously passed over the shoulders of Chris Anker Sørensen and Morris Possoni.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/giro08/index.php?id=/photos/2008/giro08/giro083/bettiniphoto_0026960_1_full Roberto Bettini Morris Possoni (High Road) enjoys the podium time for best young rider. 2008-05-12 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20130620095433/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/giro08/index.php?id=%2Fphotos%2F2008%2Fgiro08%2Fgiro083%2Fbettiniphoto_0026960_1_full 20 June 2013 live thumb|left|Italian sprinter Daniele Bennati won three stages and the mauve jersey for the points classification.|alt=A cyclist wearing a green and blue jersey with white trim, a matching helmet and glove on his right hand (the only one visible), and sunglasses. His right hand hovers around the zipper on the front of his jersey, and vaguely visible behind him are three people in black shirts and khaki pants. Five teams repeated as stage winners. Four individual riders won multiple stages. In addition to Sella's three victories in the final week, the riders who won more than once were Riccardo Riccò in stages 2 and 8,Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro088 Riccò doubles up with blast in Tivoli 2008-05-17 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20140609035839/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro088 9 June 2014 live Daniele Bennati in stages 3,Shane Stokes and Susan Westemeyer http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro083 Bennati completes good day for Liquigas, Pellizotti holds on 2008-05-12 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106081333/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro083 6 January 2014 live 9,Bjorn Haake and Susan Westemeyer http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro089 Bennati makes it two 2008-05-18 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106081705/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro089 6 January 2014 live and 12,http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0812 Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake Benna takes three despite Cavendish comeback 2008-05-22 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20131103074724/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0812 3 November 2013 live and Mark Cavendish in stages 4Shane Stokes and Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro084 'Manx Express' Cavendish takes first Grand Tour win 2008-05-13 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106102917/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro084 6 January 2014 live and 13.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0813 Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake Cavendish takes late birthday celebration 2008-05-23 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106123639/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0813 6 January 2014 live TCS 2008 yes also won multiple stages, with Pavel Brutt in stage 5Shane Stokes and Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro085 Brutt shows his force, Pellizotti retains Maglia Rosa 2008-05-14 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20140508083305/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro085 8 May 2014 live and Vasil Kiryienka in stage 19,Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0819 Contador proves tough under Di Luca's pressure 2008-05-30 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106123739/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0819 6 January 2014 live after both figured into early morning breakaway groups. GRM 2008a yes, LAM 2008 yes, LPR 2008 yes, SDA 2008 yes, and SAX 2008a yes all won one stage apiece. GRM 2008a yes won the opening team time trial, LAM 2008 yes rider Marzio Bruseghin won the Giro's first individual time trial,Gregor Brown and Susan Westemeyer http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0810 Wet Urbino run sorts out classification 2008-05-20 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106112250/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0810 6 January 2014 live LPR 2008 yes rider Gabriele Bosisio won stage 7 from a morning escape,Shane Stokes and Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro087 Good day for LPR as Bosisio triumphs and Di Luca shows form 2008-05-16 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20141129164022/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro087 29 November 2014 live SDA 2008 yes's Alessandro Bertolini took stage 11 from a breakaway,Gregor Brown and Bjorn Haake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0811 Bertolini takes first Giro stage after 16 years 2008-05-21 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106113823/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0811 6 January 2014 live and SAX 2008a yes veteran Jens Voigt was the winner of stage 18.Gregor Brown http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0818 Wet Urbino run sorts out classification 2008-05-29 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20140508135000/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0818 8 May 2014 live Success was achieved by only a handful of teams, meaning that other teams did not achieve much in the race. Though they nearly took the race lead with Matthias Russ in stage 6, GST 2008 yes had just two riders finish the race, and were never otherwise close to a notable result. EUS 2008 yes had only four riders finish the race. Two other ProTour teams, COF 2008 yes and FDJ 2008 yes, similarly failed to be at all competitive in the Giro. None of them would return to the Giro in 2009; Gerolsteiner folded in 2008 after being unable to locate a new sponsorhttp://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/aug08/aug28news2 Team Gerolsteiner to dissolve at year-end Cycling News 2008-08-28 2008-10-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20150906225002/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/aug08/aug28news2 6 September 2015 live while EUS 2009 yes, COF 2009 yes, and FDJ 2009 yes all made it known that they did not wish to participate and were thus declined invitations. http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/barloworld-left-off-first-giro-ditalia-team-list-70964 2009-01-28 Barloworld left off first Giro d'Italia team list Cycling Weekly 2009-08-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715013509/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/barloworld-left-off-first-giro-ditalia-team-list-70964 15 July 2014 live Doping thumb|Emanuele Sella, pictured here in 2004, won the climber's prize and three stages in the Giro, but is suspected to have used performance-enhancing drugs to achieve those results.|alt=A cyclist in an orange jersey with purple trim, with many logos on it. He also wears sunglasses and a blue helmet, and sits crouched over his bicycle in an aerodynamic position. Spectators watch from behind barricades, and a cameraman follows on a motorbike. Several notable riders in the Giro were announced to have tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs after the race concluded. Prominent amongst them was CSF 2008 yes rider Emanuele Sella, a triple stage winner, winner of the mountains classification, and a key rider to CSF 2008 yes's victory in the teams classification. It was announced on 5 August that Sella had tested positive for Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, better known as Mircera, a third-generation form of the banned blood booster erythropoietin. At the time the Giro was run, the test for Mircera was still in development. An out-of-competition control was taken on 23 July, just days after positives from the 2008 Tour de France had come to light, and samples were sent to labs in Paris for analysis. UCI President Pat McQuaid said that Sella had been targeted in the control and that "[i]t wasn't rocket science" to conclude that Sella's performances in the Giro could have been artificially enhanced.Stephen Farrand http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/mcquaid-reveals-how-the-uci-caught-sella-93794 MCQUAID REVEALS HOW THE UCI CAUGHT SELLA 2008-08-05 Cycling Weekly 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715013613/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/mcquaid-reveals-how-the-uci-caught-sella-93794 15 July 2014 live Sella confessed his doping to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI)Agence France Presse http://www.velonews.com/article/81475/sella-tells-coni-he-used-epo Sella tells CONI he used EPO 2008-08-08 VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306230153/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/08/news/road/sella-tells-coni-he-used-epo_81475 6 March 2016 liveAgence France Presse http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/emmanuele-sella-admits-doping-at-coni-hearing-17957/ Emmanuele Sella admits doping at CONI hearing 2008-08-08 BikeRadar.com 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20120309101954/http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/emmanuele-sella-admits-doping-at-coni-hearing-17957/ 9 March 2012 live and named teammate Matteo Priamo, also a stage winner in this Giro, as his supplier. Though Priamo never tested positive for anything, and though the Italian National Anti-Doping tribunal originally exonerated him,Laura Weislo and Sue George http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/feb09/feb28news Priamo exonerated, Sella "told the truth" 2009-02-28 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20150907063023/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/feb09/feb28news 7 September 2015 live the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled, upon appeal by CONI, that he should be suspended for four years.Associated Press http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2009-11-12-3858155819_x.htm Drug supplier Priamo gets 4-year doping ban 2009-11-12 USA Today Gannett Company 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203831/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2009-11-12-3858155819_x.htm 25 October 2012 liveVeloNation Press http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/2208/CAS-gives-Priamo-a-four-year-ban.aspx CAS gives Priamo a four-year ban 2009-11-12 Velo Nation 2009-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182336/http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/2208/CAS-gives-Priamo-a-four-year-ban.aspx 3 March 2016 live Riccardo Riccò, a double stage winner and the best young rider, tested positive for Mircera during the Tour de France, and was subsequently expelled with his team FUJ 2008a yes.Associated Press https://www.espn.com/olympics/tdf2008/news/story?id=3492925 Saunier-Duval team pulls out of Tour after Ricco tests positive for EPO 2009-07-17 ESPN 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103181143/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2008/news/story?id=3492925 3 November 2012 live This control was taken just days before the one at which Sella gave his positive. Since it took place during the Tour de France, Riccò's results from that race have been removed, but the results for Sella, Priamo, and Riccò all still stand as no positive tests from controls taken during the Giro have come to light. Riccò claims to have only taken the drug before the Tour, but there has been speculation that his performances in the Giro were not legitimate.Shane Stokes http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-wants-2008-giro-samples-re-tested-for-cera UCI wants 2008 Giro samples re-tested for CERA 2009-08-06 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20091022032724/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-wants-2008-giro-samples-re-tested-for-cera 22 October 2009 live Sella has similarly confessed to taking the drug while not confessing to have used it during the Giro. After repeated positives over the summer, including tests from Leonardo Piepoli and Bernhard Kohl at the Tour de France,Charles Pelkey and Andrew Hood http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/10/news/kohl-positive-for-cera_84274 Kohl positive for CERA 2008-10-13 VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20151002150514/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/10/news/road/kohl-positive-for-cera_84274 2 October 2015 live and Davide Rebellin and Stefan Schumacher from the 2008 Olympic Games,Nigel Wynn and Stephen Farrand http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/431235/rebellin-stripped-of-olympic-silver-after-epo-positive.html Rebellin stripped of Olympic silver after EPO positive 2009-11-18 Cycling Weekly 2009-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715013945/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/rebellin-stripped-of-olympic-silver-after-epo-positive-65136 15 July 2014 live the UCI has sought to have samples taken during the Giro retested. In October 2009, it was announced that six to seven riders from this Giro had presumptive positives, while further untestable doping involving ozone was also suspected. In total, 82 samples were retested, and the presumptive positives have been compared to values stored at an anti-doping lab in Lausanne, Switzerland. The identities of those riders who tested positive have not yet been revealed. It is believed that Rebellin and Sella are among the riders to have presumptive positives. Classification leadership In the 2008 Giro d'Italia, four different jerseys were awarded. For the general classification, calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage, and allowing time bonuses for the first three finishers on mass start stages, the leader received a pink jersey. This classification is considered the most important of the Giro d'Italia, and the winner is considered the winner of the Giro.Laura Weislo http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=/features/2008/giro_classifications08 Giro d'Italia classifications demystified 2008-05-13 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited 2009-08-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20130508234448/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=%2Ffeatures%2F2008%2Fgiro_classifications08 8 May 2013 live thumb|The Passo di Gavia, the highest point reached in the 2008 Giro d'Italia|alt=A curving, ascending road, up against a rocky hillside. There is writing in Italian on the road, a sign on the roadside, and further mountaintops visible in the background. Additionally, there was a points classification, which awarded a mauve jersey. In the points classification, cyclists got points for finishing in the top 15 in a stage. The stage win awarded 25 points, second place awarded 20 points, third 16, fourth 14, fifth 12, sixth 10, and one point less per place down the line, to a single point for 15th. In addition, some points could be won in intermediate sprints. There was also a mountains classification, which awarded a green jersey. In the mountains classifications, points were won by reaching the top of a mountain before other cyclists. Each climb was categorized, either first, second, or third category, with more points available for the higher-categorized climbs. The highest point in the Giro (called the Cima Coppi), which in 2008 was the Passo di Gavia in Stage 20, afforded still more points than the other first-category climbs. The fourth was the young rider classification which awarded a white jersey. This was decided the same way as the general classification, but only riders born after 1 January 1983 were eligible. There were also two classifications for teams. The first is the Trofeo Fast Team. In this classification, the times of the best three cyclists per team on each stage are added, and the team with the lowest time is leading team. The Trofeo Super Team is a team points classification, with the top 20 placed riders on each stage earning points (20 for first place, 19 for second place and so on, down to a single point for 20th) for their team. The rows in the following table correspond to the jerseys awarded after that stage was run. Stage WinnerGeneral classification25px Points classification25px Mountains classification25px Young rider classification25px 1 GRM 2008a Christian Vande Velde no award no award Chris Anker Sørensen 2 Riccardo Riccò Franco Pellizotti Riccardo Riccò Emanuele Sella 3 Daniele Bennati Daniele Bennati Morris Possoni 4 Mark Cavendish 5 Pavel Brutt 6 Matteo Priamo Giovanni Visconti Giovanni Visconti 7 Gabriele Bosisio 8 Riccardo Riccò Riccardo Riccò 9 Daniele Bennati Daniele Bennati 10 Marzio Bruseghin 11 Alessandro Bertolini 12 Daniele Bennati 13 Mark Cavendish 14 Emanuele Sella Gabriele Bosisio Riccardo Riccò 15 Emanuele Sella Alberto Contador 16 Franco Pellizotti 17 André Greipel 18 Jens Voigt 19 Vasil Kiryienka 20 Emanuele Sella 21 Marco PinottiFinalAlberto ContadorDaniele BennatiEmanuele SellaRiccardo Riccò Final standings Legend   20px|alt=A pink jersey   Denotes the winner of the General classificationit http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/classifiche/it/classifica.shtml?t=21&c=CLGEN Classifica generale – General classification La Gazzetta dello Sport 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170328/http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/classifiche/it/classifica.shtml?t=21&c=CLGEN 3 March 2016 live   20px|alt=A green jersey   Denotes the winner of the Mountains classification it http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/classifiche/it/classifica.shtml?t=21&c=CLGPMGEN Classifica GPM Generale – Mountains classification La Gazzetta dello Sport 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20121012135715/http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/classifiche/it/classifica.shtml?t=21&c=CLGPMGEN 12 October 2012 live   20px|alt=A violet jersey   Denotes the winner of the Points classificationit http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/classifiche/it/classifica.shtml?t=21&c=CLPUNGEN Classifica a punti generale – Points classification La Gazzetta dello Sport 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212208/http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/classifiche/it/classifica.shtml?t=21&c=CLPUNGEN 3 March 2016 live   20px|alt=A white jersey   Denotes the winner of the Young rider classification it http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/classifiche/it/classifica.shtml?t=21&c=CLGENGIO Classifica Generale Giovani – Young rider classification La Gazzetta dello Sport 2009-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20121012135732/http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/classifiche/it/classifica.shtml?t=21&c=CLGENGIO 12 October 2012 live General classification RiderTeamTime 1 Alberto Contador ESP 20px|alt=Pink jersey AST 2008 yes 89h 56' 49" 2 Riccardo Riccò ITA 20px|alt=White jersey FUJ 2008a yes + 1' 57" 3 Marzio Bruseghin ITA LAM 2008 yes + 2' 54" 4 Franco Pellizotti ITA LIQ 2008 yes + 2' 56" 5 Denis Menchov RUS RAB 2008 yes + 3' 37" 6 Emanuele Sella ITA 20px|alt=Green jersey CSF 2008 yes + 4' 31" 7 Jurgen Van den Broeck BEL SIL 2008 yes + 6' 30" 8 Danilo Di Luca ITA LPR 2008 yes + 7' 15" 9 Domenico Pozzovivo ITA CSF 2008 yes + 7' 53" 10 Gilberto Simoni ITA SDA 2008 yes + 11' 03" Mountains classification RiderTeamPoints 1 Emanuele Sella ITA 20px|alt=Green jersey CSF 2008 yes 136 2 Vasil Kiryienka BLR TCS 2008 yes 63 3 Fortunato Baliani ITA CSF 2008 yes 48 4 Julio Alberto Pérez MEX CSF 2008 yes 20 5 Alessandro Bertolini ITA SDA 2008 yes 20 6 Antonio Colom ESP AST 2008 yes 20 7 Alexander Efimkin RUS QST 2008 yes 20 8 Gabriele Bosisio ITA LPR 2008 yes 19 9 Félix Cárdenas COL BAR 2008 yes 19 10 José Rujano VEN GCE 2008 yes 18 Points classification RiderTeamPoints 1 Daniele Bennati ITA 20px|alt=Mauve jersey LIQ 2008 yes 189 2 Emanuele Sella ITA 20px|alt=Green jersey CSF 2008 yes 138 3 Riccardo Riccò ITA 20px|alt=White jersey FUJ 2008a yes 131 4 Mark Cavendish GBR THR 2008a yes 106 5 Paolo Bettini ITA QST 2008 yes 106 6 Franco Pellizotti ITA LIQ 2008 yes 96 7 Danilo Di Luca ITA LPR 2008 yes 87 8 Alberto Contador ESP 20px|alt=Pink jersey AST 2008 yes 86 9 Erik Zabel GER MRM 2008 yes 80 10 Vasil Kiryienka BLR TCS 2008 yes 76 Young rider classification RiderTeamTime 1 Riccardo Riccò ITA 20px|alt=White jersey FUJ 2008a yes 89h 58' 46" 2 Jurgen Van den Broeck BEL SIL 2008 yes + 4' 33" 3 Vincenzo Nibali ITA LIQ 2008 yes + 18' 17" 4 Chris Anker Sørensen DEN SAX 2008a yes + 1h 02' 12" 5 Matthew Lloyd AUS SIL 2008 yes + 1h 03' 55" 6 Francis De Greef BEL SIL 2008 yes + 1h 19' 07" 7 Giovanni Visconti ITA QST 2008 yes + 1h 28' 20" 8 Morris Possoni ITA THR 2008a yes + 1h 30' 36" 9 Simon Špilak SLO LAM 2008 yes + 1h 37' 49" 10 Johannes Fröhlinger GER GST 2008 yes + 1h 39' 33" Trofeo Fast Team classification TeamTime1CSF 2008 yes 268h 52' 44" 2 AST 2008 yes + 43' 48"3 LIQ 2008 yes + 1h 00' 42"4LPR 2008 yes + 1h 06' 48"5SIL 2009 yes + 1h 38' 13"6SDA 2008 yes + 1h 53' 33"7 SAX 2008a yes + 1h 57' 53"8QST 2008 yes + 2h 05' 32"9GCE 2008 yes + 2h 14' 59"10RAB 2008 yes + 2h 22' 25" Trofeo Super Team classification TeamPoints1LIQ 2008 yes 3602 AST 2008 yes 3473CSF 2008 yes 3404 LPR 2008 yes 2675 THR 2008a yes 2586TCS 2008 yes 2377 FUJ 2008a yes 2238QST 2008 yes 1989GCE 2008 yes 18810LAM 2008 yes 187 Minor classifications Other less well-known classifications were awarded during the Giro, whose leaders did not receive a special jersey. These awards were based on points earned throughout the three weeks of the tour. Each mass start stage had one intermediate sprint, awarding points to the Expo Milano 2015 classification. These sprints gave bonus seconds towards the general classification, points towards the regular points classification, and also points towards the Expo Milano 2015 classification. This award was known in previous years as the Intergiro, and was previously time-based, awarding a blue jersey. CSF 2008 yes rider Fortunato Baliani won this classification. Additional minor classifications included the combativity classification, which was a compilation of points gained for position on crossing intermediate sprints, mountain passes and stage finishes. Mountains classification winner Emanuele Sella took this award. The Azzurri d'Italia classification was based on finishing order, but points were only awarded to the top three finishers in each stage. Like the overall points classification, it was LIQ 2008' Daniele Bennati who won this. Also, the Trofeo Fuga Cervelo rewarded riders who took part in a breakaway at the head of the field, each rider in an escape of ten or fewer riders getting one point for each kilometre that the group stays clear. Along with the Expo Milano 2015, Fortunato Baliani also finished first in this classification. Additionally, teams were on occasion given penalty points for technical infringements. LAM yes 2008 avoided any penalties, and so was the winner of the Fair Play classification. References Citations 30em External links http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2008/en/ cyclingnews.com – Race reports and news features 2008 Giro d'Italia 1 11 12 21 Category:Giro d'Italia by year Giro d'Italia Giro d'Italia Category:May 2008 sports events in Italy Category:June 2008 sports events in Italy