Giro Tweets: Arrivederci Italia, mille grazie!

The final climbs have been ridden, the final maglia rosa presented to Alberto Contador and the pink confetti has been swept up. Before we say farewell, let’s have one last look at the contortionist face of Fabio Aru, a pink-haired nutter who insisted on riding alongside the peloton, and glorious enthusiasm of Juan Flecha Antonio.

The trials and tribulations of Fabio Aru

Astana’s bright young rider has been through everything: a hefty dose of instant karma, an attacking teammate, then triumph and a second place podium. And we’ve found he doesn’t so much as wear his heart on his sleeve than his pain on his face (as well as those blasted nasal strips).

Honestly, the guy must have thought he was hallucinating on those mountain slopes at times. “Is that a pig? No, that can’t be a pig. Maybe that knight will kill him. No! Fabio, get a hold of yourself and focus … bridge to Landa, bridge to Landa.”

His instant karma for attacking the maglia rosa during a mechanical.

If this picture isn’t something out of Dante’s Inferno, I don’t know what is. No wonder Fabio has that face on, he has screaming hooded figures and Johnny Lydon following him!

Obviously, pain and pleasure are closely connected for Fabio. When he won on Saturday, you really couldn’t tell if he was in pain or ecstatic.

And Landa didn’t help much. They attack the maglia rosa, then he attacks his own rider. Remind you of anything? France, 2012?

Then on Saturday, he granted no quarter to Zakarin on the Cima Coppi, which kind of shot him in the foot on the descent.

Cyclocosm summed it all up in one simple infographic.

But let’s move on.

A Giro kaleidoscope

Bits and tweets you might have missed along the way – some of the unsung heroes, some about hair. First up, my favourite Movistarlet, Andrey Amador.

The triumph of Philippe Gilbert. WHAT is that trophy?

Luke Durbridge before the final stage, sitting next to the greatest smile in the peloton, Esteban Chaves.

After the final stage. Not looking too happy about being hugged by the guy who rained on his parade.

Where was Baby Blackbird’s team this last week? Fabrizio has found their hiding place.

Mick Jagger, hair and Maxime Bouet (the man who cut Jagger’s hair …)

We didn’t see as much of Luca Paolini in the peloton as we would have liked but he finished it up in style.

I am unclear as to why the FDJ team are portrayed as horses. Playful ones.

Always a good race when you get a panoramic shot from Jered Gruber.

And it’s Cadel!

Some jersey talk. Visconti‘s son is practicing his podium salute or else he’s an airplane.

Nizzolo took home the red points jersey. And unbelievably thick dark eyebrows. Maybe he could get some eyebrow tips from Jakob Fuglsang. (Sorry, Midge!)