Giro stage 20: Rivals melt away as red-hot Nibali seals victory

Stage 20: Silandro to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, 210km

Vincenzo Nibali provided the final exclamation mark on this weather-ravaged Giro, stamping his authority on the final mountain stage to record his second straight win. The red-hot Sicilian did not need to attack, but attack he did with hunger and purpose to burn off each of his rivals and emerge as a worthy champion. The formality of his coronation in Brescia awaits tomorrow. Continue reading

The Musette: Spring vegetable risotto

Unusually this year, the Giro d’Italia takes its bow in Brescia rather than Milan, although both are in Lombardy where rice is grown on the flat flooded plains and used in well-known dishes such as risotto. I often cook this recipe in spring after a morning’s ride, as it showcases fresh green seasonal vegetables and it’s quicker to cook than you might think – providing, of course, you prepare most of it beforehand: either the night before or just before you ride. Continue reading