Giro Tweets of the Week: Dutch blush, Kittel capers, fans frenzy

As far as I’m concerned, the Giro has begun and summer is here. Don’t care about the weather, there’s nothing like a grand tour to lift your spirits. This year’s Giro started in the Netherlands and they went crazy for pink. Here is our first weekend’s tweets of all the fun and festivities.

Netherlands ablush!

No matter what you might think of grand tours starting outside the name country (and there are plenty of people who feel that there’s enough road space in Italy/France/Spain that the race doesn’t need to go elsewhere), the crowds really turn out for the riders! And the support the teams received all weekend long was stupendous!

However, I’m really unsure about the interpretive dance segment of the presentation ceremony.

The JumboBees and their baby bees …

The excitement was a bit overwhelming.

While this guy is the personification of the word ‘nonchalant’

Selfie smiles

As always, the riders took time before each stage to sign autographs and take pictures with fans of all ages.

Mavis and SusanAnn – these ladies are *always* at the races. I’m so so jealous!

Who do we have here?

Our favourite Movistarlet, Andrey Amador is (at the moment) sitting in THIRD on GC! Weeeehoooooo!

Orica’s little kangaroo with the giant smile, Esteban Chaves, is looking forward to the mountain.

In the shadow of the trident …

The first blush of the Giro, Tom Dumoulin celebrates his maglia rosa with the team.

Jay, Gee, Zhee Whizz! As if we didn’t have enough problem pronouncing stuff on the podcast!

All is right with the world as the mighty Adam Hansen is back for more …

Mick Jagger, humming ‘Satisfaction’ softly to himself, gets ready to meet the fans.

Kittel kisses

Sacha Modolo never looks up.

Is His Nibs making a statement about his competition, perhaps?

Rock god of the peloton – and already winning VeloVoices Hair of the Year award for 2016 – Daniel Oss.

Always a good day when we see Manuel Quinziato

I feel I’m being incredibly restrained in my use of Fabian photographs.

Viviani – who does he remind you of?

Our favourite plushie – Wolfie.

A little less conversation …

A little more action, please. Stage 2 – it was a Kittel Sonic Boom!

And another one on Stage 3.

Caption competition – you could insert pretty much any other sprinter’s name in this and it still works. No one can touch Kittel at the moment.

And it was wonderful to see Dutch rider Maartin Tjallinghii on the podium for KOM with his absolutely adorable children in front of his home crowd. In a post-race interview, he said he had ‘extra heartbeats’ because of the crowd. What a lovely way of putting it!