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Thomas Rohregger's Giro Diary
30/05/2024
Austrian MILRAM rider Thomas Rohregger is riding the first Grand Tour of his career at the 92nd Giro d'Italia. The 26-year-old, who is captain of the German ProTour team, will periodically report on www.team-milram.com on hs various impressions from Italy.
30 May 2024
„Today tranquillo!"
Today we again had an average of 46km/h over 200 km – just to top off a Giro which has given us very few easy stages. Even Lance Armstrong has said that you are crazy to say that the Giro is more relaxed than the Tour. Each rider has his own way of dealing with the stress. The best example today: American Dave Zabriskie grabbed the microphone at the start and told the fans, who were shouting for Di Luca, „Calm down, today we take it tranquilo!“ So much sarcasm three minutes before the start is great! Dave is really our peloton comedian. I nearly fell off my bike laughing, you can believe me.
His pronouncement didn't work though, as from the very start we saw attack after attack. The fighting went on in the next-to-last stage. Otherwise, I was pretty happy to leave the Naples area. The holes in the road were sometimes so deep that you could hide in them. And the region is pretty dangerous anyway!
We have just arrived in Rome. Tomorrow is the Grand Finale and I will try to get another good Giro feeling. After marching past the Italian premier, I will jump in the airplane and then finally have time to really analyze the last three weeks, to sum them up and to look to the future. I am really looking for it. And I will let you all know what I am up to!
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28 May 2024
„Groundhog Day“ at the Giro
Today was another fast and hectic stage! And on top of that we had constant wind and rain to accompany us. Right at the beginning there was a 15 km climb, which meant that everyone kept trying to attack. But it wasn't until after 70 km that a group got away. Unfortunately no one from Team Milram was in it. We tried to close the gap, but couldn't.
I tell you, I already am totally exhausted and feel like like I play the lead role in the Giro verson of the movie „Groundhog Day“. Oh well, it's not far now to Rome. Tomorrow it goes up the Vesuvius and I have only one wish: If there is an eruption on Vesuvius tomorrow, then only because of the many fans. I am sure that the final winner will be decided tomorrow. It will be exciting.
Now I'm going to do a little research to find out when Vesuvius last erupted. More details tomorrow!
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27 May 2024 (second part)
Hello Everyone!
A short but very fast stage is now behind us, and my body is now operating on an energy-saving scheme ;-) Even if I want to, I can't go all out any more – it was really difficult to motivate myself after the rest day. It is somehow a funny feeling, for the body to give itself over to regeneration and then go back to full speed again.
But I am still satisifed with how today's stage went. A big thank you to my teammate Björn Schröder, who accompanied me to the finish today.
We are spending the night again in Abruzzio, specifically in Popopli. Because of the earthquake, 30 percent of the buildings here can't be lived in – really bad. Danilo Di Luca comes from this area and started a great charity action.
You can support the region with his pink armbands ( like the yellow ones we know from Lance Armstrong's Livestrong cancer charity). The pink Giro-Abruzzio armbands read „Abruzzi amo“, or „I love the Abruzzians“! They cost one Euro and the proceeds go to the victims of the catastrophe. I have already bought several of these armbands. Whoever needs some or wants to support this action just let me know.
Your Tommy
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27 May 2024
Hello out there!
Yesterday was a perfect day for me. „REEEEEEEEEEEST DAY!“ I could really relax. Sat on the bike for while, drank coffee, slept, massage, looked at DVDs and most importantly: eat, eat, eat. The motto for yesterday was: Reload the batteries. I have now slept in a different bed every night for three weeks. I can't wait to get back to my comfortable home in Ötztal and come back to strength.
But to get back to the day: It is hard to get back to racing after a rest day, but I think everyone feels that way. Today will be Danilo Di Luca's „home“ stage and I'm pretty sure that he wants to take back the pink jersey on the Blockhaus climb.... I will see if I can't scratch my last strength together and maybe try again to do something. But to be perfectly honest, I am pretty tired.
I have pretty much decided to take a break after the Giro and then ride the Tour de Suisse. Like the Giro, the Tour de Suisse also goes through the Tirol. After the visit to the Zillertal, this time Serfaus is on the schedule. Joe Magreiter and his team from Tirol Werbung are doing a lot for cycling and I would like to say „Thanks!“ to them.
So now it is time to go warm up and then it is off to the wars....
Your Tommy
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25 May 2024
Hi there,
What a marathon day we have behind us! How can I best describe it to you? Maybe by saying that today's 26th stage was about as hard as the Ötztal marathon? That I counted every single kilometer today and asked myself why on earth I was doing this to myself?
It was hard today, as hard as hell. It was crazy, an unmatched torture. A crazy stage and I really wonder why someone finds and uses such stages .... :-) If you followed today's stage on tv, then you will have seen how hard it was. And it was made worse by the extreme heat, in which you had to keep pouring water over your head and into your mouth. You still had to go full power on the climbs, but the heat actually made me dizzy on the descents. This stage demanded everything from me, so I am really happy that tomorrow is a rest day.
We are staying 25 km from L'Aquila, which is somehow a funny feeling. But I will still try to sleep well and do my best to relax tomorrow.
We are now getting very close to Rome. At least in our heads, because the stages for which we had not only respct but real angst (yes, really, even my colleagues felt it, too) are now behind us. Tomorrow we will chill a little and then give gas again as we head towards Rome.
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22 May 2024
Hi there!
It was extremely hot again today, almost too hot to race across Tuscany in sprint tempo. While I stayed safely hidden away in the peloton in order to prepare myself for the upcoming mountain stages, my teammate Björn Schröder really went for it and got away. He was caught again only about 5 km before the finish,so he wasn't rewarded for his courage. But it was a super advertisement for our Team Milram! Congratulations, Björn!
As I said, now we head to the mountains for three days, and they are surely strenuous Giro days which we are facing. The hardest will be Monday, which is for me the Giro's Queen Stage. What do I have planned for the coming days? I want to try to get in a good group, but it is not so easy to fight your way through. But we'll see what it possible, perhaps I can get into a group, perhaps even one that goes for the win.
So long!
your Tommy
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20 May 2024
Hi there,
I am reporting this evening from the sunny patio of our dream hotel in the Italian Jet Set city of Porto Fino, and am waiting for the sunset. It may sound like vacation, but it is really the well-deserved rest after another more than strenuous day. We all thought it would be a controlled stage, but it turned out to be a real battle. Every team wanted to be in the lead group, and nobody could agree on anything. So that meant full gas for all 214 kilometers, and that by temperatures up to 34 degrees.
Now I am preparring myself mentally for tomorrow's extremely strenuous time trial. 1400 meters in altitude and over 60 km long – this time trial will the Hour of Truth, and it could have a very strong effect on the overall rankings. We'll have to see how Leipheimer and everyone else does tomorrow. I sure hope you cross you fingers for me again tomorrow.
I would like to thank everyone here for the many SMS's and guest book entries after my messed-up day yesterday. It is really great, how you all stand behind me. It helps a lot!
Yours,
Tommy
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19 May 2024
Hi there,
Today unfortunately I had the „Speck außa gfahrn“. That's what we say when you forget to eat underway. I tell you, I didn't see stars only when I got to the finish line, but for the whole last 20 km. In fact I barely made it through the whole 264km stage.
How did it happen?
Well, this morning I felt nauseated and simply couldn't eat anything, no matter how hard I tried to force myself. The race started off extremely fast and I had good legs, so that I could stay with a good group of 15-20 riders. But then my reserves were suddenly used up, the tank was empty. When you haven't eaten anything after 250km, then it is like an auto. Eating two gels doesn't really help. It is terrible to look at your legs and thing to yourself: what is wrong with you? But a lot of hobby riders must know this feeling, too.
The last 20 km, that is, the last climb, I just had to let everyone go. In light of this fact, the 3:20 minutes that I lost today aren't that bad. my roommate had it a lot harder today: The Giro is over for Ronny Scholz, due to severe back pains. I would like to send him get well wishes here!
Now I hope to make up for this messed-up day on the next stage and will try to recover as much as I can by tomorrow morning. Tonight I'll have to smear some extra honey on my bread :-)
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16 May 2024
Hi there,
a hard day is coming to an end for me. After two mountaintop finishes and three days of over 200 kilometers, today was not only a difficult but also an extremely fast and dangerous stage, with a lot of fighting for position. Of course there is something positive to report, too: for example, I have never before seen so many fans at race. crazy – a real weekend feeling at the Giro!
This morning I felt very tired and flat, but in the end my legs were super again. With a little luck I might have ended up on the podium. I knew the final course, that is the last 10 km, from the U23 European championships, which I rode five years ago. On the final climb, Filippo Pozzato unfortunately opened a gap in front of me whcih I was unable to cover alone. I was a little boxed in in the closing sprint, but after 210 kilometers over a lot of hills in Lombardia, 10th place is not bad.
I have been able to bring a good, constant performance every day in my first Giro week, and it is fun and makes me want more. Tomorrow is a circuit course in Milan, under the motto „Milano Show“. That will be something else. Plus, InterMailand plays tomorrow, and they could become Italian champions in that game. One way or another, I am sure there will be a sporting earthquake in Italy tomorrow.
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15 May 2024
Hi everyone!
Today's seventh stage was 244 km long, and took us back out of my homeland. In fact, we went through three countries today, while we rode briefly through Switzerland, where we visited St. Moritz before coming back to Italy. Bella Italia, you have us again :-)
The start in Innsbruck today was something very special for me. It was great to see how large the euphoria is among the cycling fans. We set off from the square in front of the Innsbsruck theater to the accompaniment of a brass band and frenetic cheers from the crowd. Again, I want to thank everyone who came out to support me. You are always a huge motivation! And I congratulate the organizers at the site, you did great!
The race itself didn't go so well for me today. I felt tired and flat. Esepcially when near the end of the race it was so cold and wet. I tell you, I would have liked to just stop and have a cup of tea. It was so cold that my face froze on the descent over an altitude of a good 1500 meters. Then I had chills when I came to the finish line. Thank God we could directly shower in the bus and warm up. You see, we are prepared for every eventuality ;-)
Now I hope that the weather for tomorrow is better, because it is once again a tricky stage. The stage finish in Bergamo is familiar to me from my U-23 days and I know that it is important to watch out on the last tight climb and the cobblestones in the Old Town.
Until tomorrow,
Tommy
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14 May 2024
Hello everyone!
This was a day I will never forget. What is it like to experience my biggest career highlight, no, I would even say my biggest dream, riding in the Giro with a stage finish practically at my house door? How is it, when hundreds of fans call my name? It is really hard to put it into words. But maybe I will be able to someday when I tell my grandchildren about it, who knows :-)
Unbelieveable, what was happening in Mayrhofen today. Friends and acquaintances from all over Austria came to the Zillertal especially to cheer me on. I couldn't keep up with the sprint of the chase group, but I came in 14th, only 36 seconds behind the day's winner, Scarponi, and I'm damned proud to have stood up to the pressure. When the Giro d'Italia visits your home and you are the only Austrian in the peloton, then you simply have to try to be up near the front. I think I accomplished that today.
Mom, dad, brother – they all waited for me at the finish and were simply proud of me –at least that's what Dad told over and over. And after I got a big long hug from Mom, she also gave me a good ration of Tyrolen honey, as regeneration for tomorrow.
Tomorrow this unique experience goes on. We start in Innsbruck. A little tip from me for anyone who will be there: Get there early, folks! It starts at 11:00, but as early as 8:00 there will be music and all kinds of entertainment from my friend and announcer Othmar Peer. I have to thank him today for the goose bumps he gave me as we rode over the Mayrhofner marketplace.
As I said, a day I will never forget. I thank everyone for their support!
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13 May 2024
Hello everyone!
Today's Jubilee stage and especially the 25 km long closing climb up the Seiser Alm were just as brutal as I expeced. The second half of the Seiser Alm, with a gradient of up to 12%, was especially tough. The best thing, though, was seeing my name painted on the street so often. That really motivated me and rode up the climb with goose bumps. Unfortunately the pollen really handicapped me again today. A burden I have to live with – sneezing and running eyes are not a help on the bike. The only thing to do every is to every now and then let loose with a hefty „Tiroler Bauernschnäuzer“ :-) (blowing the nose without a tissue).
Speaking of Tirol: I am really looking forward to tomorrow, when we go into my homeland, and the stage ends in Mayrhofen, practically at my front door. That is a privilege, which I as the only Austrian in the Giro can enjoy, and of course I hope for a big public. Georg Totschnig once told me that he would have liked to have experienced that. I will try to enjoy every single meter. In the Zillertal there will be a lot happening. Tomorrow we will ride the Felbertauern and Gerlospass, where I know practically every meter. I'm not nervous, but as I said, the anticipation is overwhelming. A big thank you to everyone who was there today in the South Tyrol. It is always a big motivation to see familiar faces along the way. Cycling is simply the best sport!
I have also been told that my name is often mentioned on Eurosport's tv broadcasts. Cool! I am getting lots of messages from people who will be there tomorrow. But again to today's stage: I stayed on Cunego's side and in the end could beat him. 18th in the overall ranking is nothing to take for grantd, and I can easily live iith a 3:15 time difference. Today's stage, by the way, was won by Russian Denis Menchov.
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12 May 2024
I tell you, the morning of a stage the legs are already tired. It is like a diesel motor. It needs some time,but then the speed comes and the tiredness is forgotten. Today we saw the expected change in the overall ranking.
But first, here's how it happened.: We rode from Padua 162 km to San Martino di Castrozza. After only nine km, a six-man group was up and away. They had at times a lead of over 7:30 minutes. One of those in this group was the German Diesel, Jens Voigt, who was caught again with only two km to go. It is really impressive, what an incredible performance he can put in on any given day.
I stayed at Lance Armstrong's side for almost the whole course. I had good legs and simply feel well in the mountains. As of the last km, things started happening. At this moment, Armstrong wavered and I tried my best to go with the others. But at the left curve 400 meters before the finish I had a cramp and was forced to take the pressure off the pedals, otherwise I could have torn a muscle. So soon after the stage as it is now, I don't know exactly where I finished, but I saw that I am now listed as 15th overall. I am 1:02 behind the pink jersey.
Danilo Di Luca won the sprint of today's mountaintop finish. In the overall ranking, the new leader is now the Swedish rider Thomas Lövkvist. I am really looking forward to tomorrow's stage on the Seiser Alm. It will be difficult, with some extremely steep portions, but a lot of my friends and acquaintances will make the trip to the South Tyrol. I rode this stage last Wednescday. I like to think that I know every meter of this long climb.....
In addition, tomrrow's mountain is better for me that today's final climb, since it is in places much steeper. I also think that everyone won't wait and watch each other as much as today – it wil be a real slaughter. By the way, the Giro will turn exactly 100 years old tomorrow. The plan for the day is: concentrate, ride attentively and attack at the right moment, or at least be at the right place at the right time.
Yours,
Tommy
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11. May 2009
That was a tough one today. Hot, sometimes as high as 30° or even more, and with 198 kilometres not short, but the longest one so far in this 100 year old race. I did pretty well all day, although there was one scarey moment. About 10 km before the the finish, when we were already in Valdobbiadene. There was a mass crash, in which I was fully involved. Next to me was the overall leader, Mark Cavendish, who was alsoinvolved. We lost a lot of valuable time. Only a few of us – including myself – were able to get back to the leading group. Cavendish lost more than a minute. I was able to make it all the way back up to the front and in the end was able to get 15th place. I also made a big jump in the overall, from 37 to 20 – but that is just momentary. Alessandro Petacchi leads because of his two stage wins. Lance Armstrong is fifth.
Most of the stge today was again very hectic and I am really looking forward to the mountains. Tomorrow the Giro rols towards San Martino di Castrozza, where we will meet the 1,466 meter high mountaintop finish, the first of five in this Giro. I would like to congratule Björn Schröder. My teammate was great yesterday. Up until about 30 km before the finish he was in a five-man escape group, which naturally was very important for us from MILRAM. A great performance, Björn, congratulations! I have to tell you something else. During the race yesterday we went onto a landing strip. A few secons later, the world-famous formation flyers Freece Tricolotri (the tri-colored arrow), and the pride of Italy, flew over us trailing the colors of the Italian flag. It was not just impressive but gave us all goosebumps. I hope that I can experience this feeling again in the coming days.
So now it is time to wish you a „Guats Nächtle“ -- good night!
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10. May 2009
There was a lot of stress at the start of the Giro. Yeterday was very difficult, since I put a lot of pressure on myself as team captain. It's really hard to believe. My first Giro, my first three-week Tour and my first time as captain for Team MILRAM. Yesterday's team time trial started at 3 p.m., but we traveled from Jesolo at noon. What was waiting for us at the MILRAM stand was great. Lots of fans, typical Italian emotions, pretty women and a huge delegation from the Tyrol withe most important tourists from the land visited us at the MILRAM bus. The guys really motivated me and brought me luck. In the difficult team time trial over 20.5 km, Columbia was not to be beaten with its 21:50 minutes, but we weren't so bad there on the Lido of Venice as tenth-best team, only 49 seconds down. The most important thing was certainly not to crash and to put in a good team performance. I and we achieved both of those goals.
Today's stage:
Sunday's stage led us from my childhood vacation spot of Jesolo to Trieste (156i kmk), with lots of curves and especially a lot of bad roads. The race was extremely stressful. Lots of curves, as I said, bad road surfaces, lots of fighting for position and also a crash. Unfortunately it got Matthias Ruß from our team. He broke his collarbone and so that is the end of this year's Giro for him. I wish him all the best, of course. In the finale I tried to keep out of the fighting for position while staying as far forward as possible. In the end, I, the „anti-sprinter“, finished 19th. I'm satisfied that the stage ended that way for me. The stage profile was made for the sprinters and they took advantage of it. Petacchi won, ahead of Cavendish and Swift. The main thing I wll remember from this stage is the fantastic mood. There were, I believe, hundreds of thousands of people along the way and they celebrated this huge cycling party with us. Right now I am off to enjoy a massage and tomorrow I will report agaon on how my first Giro adventure continues.
Greetings from Trieste,
Tommy
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