Stage 7 | Castrovillari to Alberobello | Giro d’Italia 2017

After eight days of racing, the 100th Giro d’Italia is yet to spark into life – although with all the mountains in the final week it may be that the old adage about good things coming to those who wait comes true.

Stage seven from Castrovillari to the picturesque town of Alberobello, famous for its buildings with conical stone rooftops, was not a classic. Two riders spent much of the day out in front and then there was a sprint finish.

But it was a great day for Caleb Ewan of Orica-Scott, who won his first Giro stage, and the second grand tour stage of his career.

In this episode, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe discuss the sprint and the lack of action so far but a week that has not been short of cultural and culinary highlights.

We hear from Orica’s sports director Matt White about Ewan’s win and also Saturday’s stage to Peschici, from Sam Bennett about the sprint finish and also from Alberobello’s most famous, and perhaps most disgraced, son – Leonardo Piepoli, who was ripping up the mountain stages of the Giro and Tour ten years ago before testing positive for a banned blood-boosting drug.

And, as we are in Amaraterra’s home region, we play out with an extended blast of their wonderfully evocative theme music.

The Cycling Podcast is supported by Rapha and Science in Sport.