Hi there,

A quick update on behalf of Tim, as he takes his valuable rest between stage 17 and tomorrows 147km jaunt from Mendrisio(Switzerland) to Varese (see stage 17+18 course profiles below)

Both stages are rolling and relatively short in comparison with some of the previous stages, clocking in at 146 and 147km respectively, with nothing to scary in the way of climbs, set up for breakaways and a last chance for the sprinters to show there stuff before the Giro hits the Italian alps later in the week, site of many famous battles in the past.

Today’s stage ended with a mass sprint, after a 3 man breakaway lasted most of the day. Tomorrow’s looks likely to head in the same direction unless a breakaway group can fend on the fast charging peleton at the end of the day.

Despite being obviously very tired after covering just over 2800km so far in this Giro, Tim is in high spirits, still focusing on taking things one day at a time…. attached are a few more shots from today’s stage + a few more from monday’s mountain time trial and stage 15 in the Dolomites, check out the dude on the motorbike, even he struggled with the crazy gradient!!

thanks for keeping posted (KG for TG)