May 15, 2007
Giro: Di Luca Has Anger Issues
(DiLuca is ticked at Gasparotto: AP Photo)
When you hear Italian cyclist speak they always talk about being calm or serene in their racing or training. It is almost like they are talking about going to a spa instead of an intense bike race. This is particularly interesting since Italians are know for their hot tempers. Up until this year Danilo DiLuca has been the poster for for serene cyclist. The Abruzzese cyclist really did not show his emotions that much until his win at Liege and the Liquigas Team Time Trial victory at the Giro.
The picture above is probably what each of the cyclist were thinking at the moment. Enrico Gasparotto forgot that Danilo was supposed to go over the line first. DiLuca was well aware of the error and looks to be screaming at the top of his lungs. One can only imagine the conversation between these two on the team bus.
Danilo DiLuca has let his anger show much more this year. Perhaps it was the poor showing in 2006 after such a successful 2005 that made Il Killer have the “Eye of the Tiger” this year. Whatever it is Danilo is showing some emotion at the finish line.
At Leige it seems as though DiLuca let out some major frustration as he crossed the finish line.
Diluca was also seen wearing a sourpuss face at the Amstel podium. No one could actually blame him though since he did a lions share of work to try and catch Schumacher and all he got for the work was third place. But that was simply good teamwork by Gerolsteiner.
Maybe DiLuca tried to do the serenity thing that all the other Italian cyclist talk about and it did not work. Everytime DiLuca would get angry he would say “Serenity Now” to remain calm. But, just as it did not work for Lloyd Braun, it did not work or DiLuca, so now we have the Ragahol “Il Killer” leading the Giro. Make sure he stays away from the sharp objects.