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Giro d'Italia - Morbegno - Bergamo

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  1. 16:15 - Di Luca, who did finish third today in the end, maintains his pink jersey. But all eyes are on Kanstantin Siutsou and team Columbia - a great day in the saddle. Join us from 12.30pm GMT tomorrow for live coverage of stage nine.

  2. 0km - Another victory for Columbia as Siutsou comes home! And to rub it in, Boasson Hagen and Rogers look to pip Di Luca for second and third - and the vital bonus seconds.

  3. 1km - No one is going to catch Siutsou now!

  4. 2km - Siutsou passes the two-to-go banner with about 22 seconds... it's going to be tight! The peloton is moving at a fantastic pace with Italians galore wishing to get on the podium tonight...

  5. 3km - Di Luca is caught as Horner tries his luck! But no one is getting clear at the moment. Siutsou looks like he will pull this one off!

  6. 4km - Yaroslav Popovych attacks on the cobbles! He opens up a gap, but Suitsou is still going strong. Now Di Luca attacks! The pink jersey goes solo in pursuit of Popovych and Siutsou...

  7. 4km - Siutsou looks to be suffering as the peloton negotiate - successfully - a very tight round-about. He's now onto the cobble stone climb. It looks brutal!

  8. 5km - The lead is actually getting bigger: it's 38 seconds. But there is still that small climb before the finish where anything can happen. It's going to be classic cat and mouse.

  9. 7km - Siutsou is a former Acqua y Sapone rider and he knows these roads well. The gap is still 32 seconds as the cobbled section of Bergamo arrives. Liquigas move onto the front of the peloton now...

  10. 9km - LPR, Katusha and QuickStep are moving to the front of the peloton as the riders enter Bergamo.

  11. 11km - Siutsou has opened up a 32 second gap but it will be tricky to keep that going right to the end in Bergamo. Maybe he's a launchpad for team-mate Boasson Hagen trying for a double?

  12. 13km - NEWSFLASH: Perdo Horillo is in serious condition in hospital but he is conscious and his injuries are not life threatening. The Spaniard fell 60m into a ravine after crashing on the descent of the Culmine climb earlier in the day.

  13. 15km - Attack by Columbia's Kanstantsin Siutsou! The Belarusian is trying his luck... he has five career victories to his name, can he add a sixth?

  14. 16km - GRUPPO COMPATTO!! We're up for a grand old classics finish with this long drag before the final punchy climb into Bergamo.

  15. 18km - A reminder of those leaders: David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne), Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Edvald Boasson Hagen and Michael Rogers (Columbia-Highroad), Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer (Astana), Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo) and Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas). The bunch is within touching distance though...

  16. 21km - Armstrong looks very relaxed as he talks to local boy Marco Pinotti back in the peloton. It's been an easy day for the Texan, and now his team have a chance of victory today with two further up the road.

  17. 22km - At the moment it's five out in front: Rogers, Garzelli, Leipheimer, Horner and Pellizotti. Garzelli won a stage at Bergamo in the 2007 Giro and so he will have his eyes on this one. The five are not sure whether or not to wait for the other chasers, who include David Arroyo, Cunego and yesterday's winner Boasson Hagen. In fact, they have now made contact, which means there are two Astana riders and two Columbia riders in this group...

  18. 25m - LPR are putting in a huge chase now because they realise that Di Luca's pink jersey could be in threat. By the way, Menchov is in the peloton and not in the leading group, alongside the likes of Sastre, Armstrong, Basso and Di Luca.

  19. 26km - Lance Armstrong will be pleased to see that the descent is dry and any threat of rain has passed. It's going to be interesting to see if the leading group stay out ahead...

  20. 27km - Garzelli goes over the summit in first place. Cunego and another rider come over 28 seconds after the leaders. The peloton come over at 54 seconds. It's more of a bunch because most of the pack has been blown away.

  21. 29km - A smiling (or is it a grimace) Horner is now pulling his weight on the front. More than that, he's upped the pace considerably! LPR are not panicking further back: they know there is still 27km over the summit and it will all probably come back together.

  22. 30km - Despite all this action, there are only 18 seconds separating the leading group and the pink jersey flavoured peloton. Leipheimer is now up there too. Meanwhile Garzelli and Pellizotti have animated words with Horner for not pulling his weight. They gesticulate back to Leipheimer and indicate that because there are two of them, the Astana boys must contribute. No Basso, Sastre, Di Luca or Armstrong...

  23. 31km - Stefano Garzelli of Acqua & Sarpone tries to drop the other leaders, but Horner and Pellizotti cover his wheel. Rogers is there too. Leipheimer, further back, tries to make contact from the peloton with yesterday's winner Boasson Hagen in tow.

  24. 32km - Also in the Cunego group is Franco Pellizotti of Liquigas and Michael Rogers of Colombia. Lots of riders are trying to get across from the peloton and a group of around 15 has formed. LPR are not too worried at the moment. But maybe they should be, because two other Columbia riders have just pinged off.

  25. 33km - Serge Pauwels pulls ahead from the leaders... meanwhile behind an interesting group forms which looks to contain Cunego and Horner.

  26. 34km - Points jersey leader Alessandro Petacchi ups the tempo with the climb looming. It's the last time you'll see him on the front of the peloton today in all likelihood! The leaders have jusy 20 seconds now and look doomed.

  27. 35km - For the final time (for they will not stay out for much longer with just 42 seconds separating them from the bunch) here's a reminder of the ten riders out in front: Dario Cataldo (QuickStep), Johann Tschopp (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Evgeni Petrov (Katusha), Giovanni Visconti (ISD), David Lopez Garcia (Caisse d'Epargne), Serge Pauwels (Cervelo TestTeam), Carlos Jose Ochoa (Diquigiovanni), Jelle Vanendert (Silence-Lotto), Hector Gonzalez (Fuji-Servetto) and Eduard Vorganov (Xacobeo Galicia).

  28. 36km - The Liquigas team of Ivan Basso are making their presence known on the front of the peloton now. Someone is bound to give a little dig at the beginning of this climb.

  29. 40km - The second category Colle del Gallo has been used in countless races and is a regular fixture on the Tour of Lombardy. It's a 6.2km ascent which rises 435 metres at an average gradient of 7% and a maximum gradient of 11%. The start is particularly difficult so this should provide the perfect springboard for anyone with aspirations of winning in Bergamo - the finish coming just 27km after the summit.

  30. 41km - Just as the eight escapees merge back together, ISD's Visconti ups the tempo and pulls off the front. A smaller lake is now on the riders' left hand side.

  31. 42km - Evgeni Petrov has joined the three riders out in front as they zip down this 10km stretch towards the foot of the final climb of the day. The roads have had a fresh resurfacing and look a joy to ride on. Four others are just a handful of seconds behind, but the peloton is bearing down on them with an alarming pace.

  32. 45km - Gonzalez is in the dancing position trying to hang onto the coat-tails of Lopez and Cataldo as they cross the summit of the Solto Collina. The crowds are huge, making the road very narrow.

  33. 46km - Cataldo has been joined by David Lopez and Hector Gonzalez. The rest are about 12 seconds back, with the peloton chasing at just under a minute.

  34. 47km - Lance Armstrong is towards the front of the peloton looking comfortable. For a second day in succession Astana are wearing shirts without their Kazakh sponsors. Here's why

  35. 48km - We're now on to the short Solto Collina climb which rises for a few kilometres before a 10km gradual descent until the final climb of the day, the historic Colle de Gallo. at the front, the ten-man group has been blown apart by Dario Cataldo of QuickStep, who has dropped them all like flies in his wake.

  36. 50km - The stats are showing the peloton riding at 51km/h and the leaders at just 46km/h. If that's the case, it won't be long until the ten are swallowed up.

  37. 55km - Boonen, Petacchi, Cavendish... It's a bit dated, but you can read the latest Blazin' Saddles cycling blog here.

  38. 56km - News is filtering through about the fate of Perdo Horillo, who crashed on the descent of the Culmine. Apparently he went right over the edge. Those coming to his aid found his bike on the side of the road while the rider was a further 60 metres down the slope. He is said to be in serious condition in Bergamo hospital.

  39. 58km - The crowds have come out in their thousands to line the streets beside the waterfront. The peloton just passed under a big pink banner in the shape of a jersey with Di Luca 121 emblazoned across the front. It must be great for Italy to host a race in which Italian riders are amongst the favourites. It's just not the same once the Tour de France gets underway is it...

  40. 60km - Pretty stunning Lombardi countryside here as the riders blast past the Lago d'Iseo. Lampre are doing all the hard work on the front of the peloton but the lead of the ten-man group has stabilised at 1:40.

  41. 65km - Two more riders have retired: AG2R's Julien Loubet and ISD's Ruslan Pidgornyy.

  42. 68km - Intermediate sprint at Sarnico: largely uncontested, Giovanni Visconti picked up the points. The peloton sped though the time check at 1:41.

  43. 70 - While the sun is out in the valley, up ahead in the hills, grey clouds are looming. We might well be in for an ominous conclusion to this stage. Meanwhile, the gap is now just 1:52. It looks like the game is up for these ten riders out in front.

  44. 75km - The gap continues to drop: 2:15 at the latest check.

  45. 80km - The leaders have seen their gap cut to about three minutes after some hard work by LPR on the front of the peloton.

  46. 85km - Following his crash and withdrawal from the race, Rabobank's Pedro Horrillo Munoz has been taken to hospital for a check up. The Spaniard was the sixth rider to pull out of this year's race. Incidentally, Lance Armstrong yesterday did complain that these testing decents were too dangerous in the rain, but today the rain has so far held off and the sun is in the sky.

  47. 90km - The riders are passing Bergamo for the first time. This part of the stage is largely flat with the second climb of the day coming 50km from the finish before the historic ascent of the Colle del Gallo and then the finish back again in Bergamo.

  48. 90km - Average speed for the third hour of racing today was 41.2km/h.

  49. 95km - The team of pink jersey Danilo Di Luca, LPR, are setting the pace on the front of the peloton, which rides at 4:12 behind the ten leaders.

  50. 100km - A reminder of the ten riders out in front: Dario Cataldo (QuickStep), Johann Tschopp (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), Evgeni Petrov (Katusha), Giovanni Visconti (ISD), David Lopez Garcia (Caisse d'Epargne), Serge Pauwels (Cervelo TestTeam), Carlos Jose Ochoa (Diquigiovanni), Jelle Vanendert (Silence-Lotto), Hector Gonzalez (Fuji-Servetto) and Eduard Vorganov (Xacobeo Galicia).

  51. 105km - The lead is down to 3:10. Levi Leipheimer still leads the Eurosport poll for eventual winner: 30% to Ivan Basso's 24%. Remarkably, Lance Armstrong holds on to third position. Eurosport Giro poll

  52. 110km - CRASH! Spain's Pedro Horrillo Munoz (Rabobank) has hit the deck and retires from the race. Start list

  53. 115km - The ten leaders are approaching the town of Brembilla with a lead of 3:20 over the peloton. Check out all the latest pictures on the road: Giro gallery

  54. 120km - Doping news: Astana are standing by Andreas Kloden after a report names him as amongst three riders undergoing a blood transfusion during the 2006 Tour de France. The German, runner-up that year, denies any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Alejandro Valverde has been told not to enter the Tour of Denmark this August by organisers following his CONI ban. They say the Spaniard should do the right thing and sit out of all competitions for the two-year duration of his Italian soil ban.

  55. 125km - Following a slight uphill stretch, the descent into the valley continues now with the 10 escapees now back together as one group, riding 3:30 ahead of the peloton.

  56. 130km - Didn't see Team Columbia tyro Edvard Boasson Hagen's excellent win yesterday? Then watch it here

  57. 132km - Average speed for the second hour of racing today was 39.2km/h. This technical descent has changed things up at the front. Tschopp and Dario Cataldo (QuickStep) are now 18 seconds ahead of Visconti and Evgeni Petrov (Katusha). Six other riders follow at another 16 seconds, while the peloton is now three minutes back.

  58. 135km - Giovanni Visconti (ISD) and Johann Tschopp (BBox Bouygues Telecom) are 12 seconds ahead of the eight other escapees now, with the peloton riding at 1:30 and the second splinter bunch another 20 seconds in arrears.

  59. 140km - CRASH! Ochoa has fallen on the descent and he is passed by the chasers. While the Diquigiovanni rider tries to get back in touch, Cervelo's Serge Pauwels breaks clear in pursuit of solo leader Gonzalez.

  60. 143km - Gonzalez manages to shrugg off Ochoa and passes over the summit 12 seconds ahead. The eight other escapees pass over just six seconds behind Ochoa, while the peloton are at 1:40. The bunch has split with a second group containing the likes of double stage winner Alessandro Petacchi, who in training for this stage before the race said: "I was surprised by the Culmine di San Pietro. I did not expect such a difficult climb, and the descent is extremely technical."

  61. 145km - Spain's Hector Gonzalez Baeza has attacked one kilometre before the summit of this first climb. The only rider who can follow is Venezuala's Carlos Ochoa. The two open up a small gap over the eight other escapees, while further back it's Astana setting the tempo on the climb.

  62. 150km - Approaching the summit of this first category climb, the ten-man leading group have seen their advantage cut to 1'30". Over the summit is a very technical descent, according to former pro and Giro winner Paolo Savoldelli, who comes from Bergamo, today's destination.

  63. 155km - The lead is coming down thanks to the hard work done by Lampre. It is now just over two minutes. The best placed rider in this 10-man break is the Russian Petrov, who is 5:45 down in 36th place - one below Eurosport blogger Christopher Froome. Read Chris Froome's latest blog from the Giro

  64. 158 - Average speed for the first hour of racing today was 44.7km/h. Lampre are now controlling the pace on the front of the peloton, which is riding about two and a half minutes down from the ten leaders. Maybe Damiano Cunego feels he can do something today?

  65. 160km - Levi Leipheimer of Astana is comfortably in fourth position in the general standings, 43 seconds behind pink jersey Danilo Di Luca. Yesterday's stage wasn't easy for the American, however. Last night, he tweeted: "Remember when I posted about going 70mph-plus yesterday on a 15lb bike? Today made that look like child's play!! 40 degree rain and fog, shivering uncontrollably, couldn't see, brakes working 10" too late and then entering a curved dark tunnel at 55mph!" Let's hope today proves a little easier for the race favourite.

  66. 165km - The riders are on to the nursery slopes of the first climb of the day, the Culmine di San Pietro. The ascent rises 618 metres over 13km at an average gradient of 4.8% and a maximum gradient of 11%. It's not that tricky a climb and should see this group open up their lead, which is now around 2:25.

  67. 170km - The ten riders are now together, 2:08 ahead of the peloton. As well Lopez and Cataldo (the initial escapees) they are: Johann Tschopp (BBox Bouygues), Serge Pauwels (Cervelo), Hector Gonzalez (Fuji-Servetto), Giovanni Visconti (ISD), Carlos Ochoa (Diquigiovanni), Jelle Vanendert (Silence-Lotto), Evgeni Petrov (Katusha) and Eduard Vorganov (Xacobeo Galicia).

  68. 175km - Five riders have joined Cataldo and Lopez in the front while three riders are trying to close the gap. The leaders have about one minute over the peloton now, with the chasers just 12 seconds back. Names coming up.

  69. 180km - The first attack of the day comes from Dario Cataldo (QuickStep) and David Garcia Lopez (Caisse d'Epargne). They have opened up a lead of around 10 seconds. The break came after seven other riders tried their luck but were pegged back by the bunch.

  70. 185km - The peloton still rides as one as the riders edge closer towards the early climb of the day, the Culmine di San Pietro.

  71. 190km - The top 20 on GC stay unchanged but Lance Armstrong and John-Lee Augustyn both lost 18 seconds, the Texan remains in 25th place but the Barloworld man drops out of the top 30. General Classification

  72. 195km - Yesterday's stage was won by Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway, riding for Columbia, at Chiavenna with LPR's Danilo Di Luca retaining the leader's pink jersey. This is how he did it:

  73. 200km - The sun is peeking through the clouds at the finish at Bergamo at the moment, but showers are expected later on. Weather report

  74. 205km - Morbegno is on the south side of the Adda river and is part of the province of Sondrio of Lombardy. It is twinned with Llanberis in North Wales.

  75. 209km - Saturday's eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia is a 209km affair from Morbegno to Bergamo. 193 riders set off at 11:10 local time from the small town in the low Valtellina Valley.

 

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