Painted black



I was happy to hear that the  2008 Giro d'Italia will welcome back "maglia nera," the black jersey honoring the rider who finishes last in the overall classification. It had a short past originating from 1946 to 1951. With the famous frame builder,  Giovanni Pinarello as the last 'winner.'  I'd love to see the black jersey, however, organisers  decided to use a white number on a black backdrop ("numero nero"). The UCI  (Union Cycliste Internationale),  limits the leaders' jerseys to 4, the Giro has already the rosa, ciclamino, bianca and verde. So be it.  As Giro director Angelo Zomegnan explains, "We wanted to offer attention for those who fight and struggle at the back of the classification." 
A special appreciation. Molto bravo Giro d'Italia!   

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi Richard, I wonder if
Sylvain Chomet's 'The Triplets of Belleville' had anything to do with that.

Ed W