05.17 - Giro d'Italia: Stage 9

David Moncoutie has company at the back today, in the form of Daniel Martin - climbers are not built for such high speeds!

GIROGARMINMARTIN

The reason for the speed is an escape containing Ignatiev, Chuela, Barry and Stamsnijder - they're moving fast!

GIROkatushaESCAPE

Martin has now been sent to the front to chase, on a day that seems certain to end in a big sprint...

GIROGARMINMARTIN

Barry looks ferociously strong - is that a special one-piece suit he's wearing today..?

GIROBArryESCAPE

Yes, Matthew Hayman's wearing one as well - the whole of Team Sky are wearing 'fast' clothing today; they'd better win!

GIROHAYMANSKY

Cameron Meyer comes back for water bottles for the third time today - the kid is working hard..!

GIROMEYERWORK

Serving his elders, Meyer hands a bottle to Svein Tuft, one of Tyler Farrar's lead-out men later today...

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Jack Bobridge is also in service for the seniors at Garmin...

GIROBOBRIDGEGARMINRAIN

Barry doesn't want to get caught, but their lead is down to two minutes near the feed-zone...

GIROBArryESCAPE

Steven Cummings has realised a one-piece suit leaves little space for food and drink...

GIROCUMMINGSSKYWORK

It's raining with about 80-kilometres to go - Robbie McEwen takes on a rain gilet...

GIROMCEWEN

Meyer has crashed on slippery roads - he's out of the race with a damaged shoulder..!

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It's starting to get wet out there...

GIROPELOTONFLOODING

Yes, yes, it's definitely getting wetter...

GIROPELOTONFLOODING

Cycling's not for whimps, but this is getting silly now..!

GIROPELOTONFLOODING

Marcel Sieberg and Columbia are frantically chasing the escape after being slowed by the slippery conditions...

GIROCOLUMBIASIEBERG

Bobridge has been blown out the back by the speed and heavy rain - it's a tough Giro baptism for the Aussie...

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Stamsnijder is determined to stay away - they posess one minute with 20-kilometres to go...

GIROSTAMSNIJDERESCAPE

Columbia, led by Adam Hansen, have split the peloton to pieces...

GIROCOLUMBIAHANSEN

Astana seizes the chance to inflict further damage on Vinokourov's rivals - they mass at the front now...

GIROVINOKOUROVASTANA

Henderson, Cunego, Farrar, and Pozatto are enjoying the hospitality of Astana - which one of them will win today..?

Despite Astana's efforts, the peloton has regrouped - Ignatiev takes off from the front now...

GIROKATUSHA

Katusha's Pozatto looks poised for the big sprint, next to Vinokourov - Ignatiev cannot stay away alone...

GIROVINOKOUROVMAGLIA

Matthew Goss wins stage nine ahead of Pozatto, Farrar and Henderson - what a great day's racing..!

GIROGOSSHTCSPRINT

Carlos Sastre has lost more time today - will the Spaniard even finish this Giro..?

Alexandre Vinokourov looks invincible on the podium...

GIROVINOKOUROVMAGLIA