Michael Rogers (T-Mobile) had a quiet day in the saddle on Tuesday, finishing 54th in the 10th stage of the Giro between Termoli and Peschici. "As a team we weren’t so active today, no maglia rosa to defend, no bunch to control or sprint to lead out, but it was another chance to get race kilometres into the legs; the reason I’m here in the first place," he wrote in his diary on t-mobile-team.com.
But it hasn't all been easy for Rogers, who had to pay a visit to the dentist on Monday evening. "I suffered toothache and had to visit the dentist after the race. He found two cavities. Got that sorted and was able to continue this morning without any problems. Though I took a bit of a backseat in the race."
After another late night transfer, Rogers and the team are looking forward to today's rest day, which will be another day tuning up on the time trial bikes, ready for Thursday's flat test against the clock. "Then on Thursday it is really down to business; the time trial is flat and fast and over 50k, a distance that suits me and a chance to get my diesel motoring. For me, it's definitely the most important stage still to come in the Giro and a chance to test my progress ahead of the Tour. Serhiy and Jan are also looking forward to. It’s a useful benchmark fro all of us and a big day for the team."
Jan Ullrich commented after the stage, "Things went smoothly for me out there today. Unfortunately there were none of us on the winning break. Maybe we started today with a few tired legs from the previous stages. Lampre really upped the pace in the final kilometres. I am just happy that I reached the line safe and sound."
Matthias Kessler turned 27 yesterday, but didn't get any special birthday presents. "It was a tough stage," said T-Mobile sporting director Rudy Pevenage. "'Matze' wanted to do something on his birthday, but unfortunately the breaks he got into didn't stick."
