We knew it would be an exciting Sunday.

Five sections of gravel road lay between the peloton and the finish line in Siena. Primoz Roglic found bad luck on the road, first in a (literal) dust-up that toppled him to the ground. A few kms later he was thwarted by a flat rear tire.

Because the gravel sections were so narrow and undulating, team cars were kept well behind the riders. That meant waiting a long time for a replacement wheel. I hope he can make up the deficit next week.

On the other hand, Team UAE had four guys in the overall top ten by end of day. But who is the team leader? The effort seemed ad hoc, with young Isaac Del Toro out in front all day, putting his teammates Juan Ayuso and Adam Yates at a disadvantage. But he ended the day in the Maglia Rosa, sooooo . . . Should be interesting to see what happens in the coming stages.

The highlight of the day was seeing Wout Van Aert claim the stage victory, going toe-to-toe with Del Toro all the way to the finish line. Wout is a fan favorite who has been battling injury and illness lately, missing the podium in races he would normally be favored to win. Glad to have him back in fine form!

No racing tomorrow, but Tuesday takes us to Pisa and the second time trial of the Giro. It’s sure to be a thriller!

Spectator Sip for Tonight: 2024 Sangiovese Bianco from Poggio al Sole

Color: clear as water

Nose: Rainier cherry, raspberry, white peach, and fresh-picked herbs.

Palate: Tart acidity makes for a clean, fresh, and fruity wine. It’s simple yet so enjoyable. Perfect for the hot, humid summer days ahead.

Pairing: Salads, grilled vegetables, or just by itself. It’ll make you smile!

Check back in tomorrow for a preview of the stage from Pisa to Lucca. Cheers!