The thing about chasing Grand Tours is that there is never just ‘one’ thing that makes them special. They’re an incredible series of incredible events, compressed into a small window in time. In witnessing the lives of others, you also think about your own. If you’re lucky enough to join the fray like I did for the final week, you better be ready for an exhilarating, exhausting adventure…

Just for a change we spoke to Dario in the morning, he didn't seem as relaxed as usual, but maybe the fact that he was climbing the Mortirlo that afternoon had something to do with it! For Dario and everyone not named Basso, the end of the Giro probably can't come soon enough.

After the atrocity that befell virtually all riders over yesterday's horrendous stage, the final jaunt into Milano had to have been looked forward to like an 8-year-old looks to Christmas. There would be no split stage this year, just a hectic bunch sprint in downtown Milano.

We saved the biggest day for last, and today was E P I C. We rode over the Passo Gavi AND the Mortirolo, and survived. After 7 hours, over 3 hours of climbing, 110km, and some serious pain, I can say that was one of the best rides ever… check this out…

This is it! The last stage that anything big could happen, after today only an accident, an act of God or a scandal (its happened before) could stop Ivan Basso winning this years Giro d’Italia, he has to get over the Passo’s of the Tonale, Gavia (Cima Coppi) and the much talked of Mortirolo (Cima Pantani) in this 211 kilometre stage from Trenta to Aprica.

The Giro stood up on its hind legs today and dealt haymakers to the peloton today, forcing the riders over a demanding 224km, covering several formidable mountains and ending with the vaunted, mystical Passo di San Pellegrino, an 18km climb, with an average grade of 6.2% and a strength-sapping max of 15%. Luckily for the riders, at least they had the weather in their favor, as the skies were sunny and the temperatures agreeable.

It was billed as the 'Queen stage', but it was actually a tad anti-climactic, nonetheless Basso put even more time into every one that matters AND our boy hogged the TV screens of Europe for a good part of the afternoon.

It’s been a tough last week at the Giro, but tomorrow’s Stage 19 from Pordenone to San Pellegrino is a brute – chucking in 4 huge steep climbs over 224 km to a summit finish. Today we rode the two middle climbs of Passo Fedaia over the Marmolada, and the Passo Pordoi, to see just how tough it’s gonna be…

The Giro pressed on today, with Ivan Basso sitting pretty in the Maglia Rosa, through the Julian Alps and a brief stint in Austria, before zipping town into Gemona. If there is a veritable "rest day" in these final days in the Alps, today qualifies. The 2006 Giro hasn't been kind to breakways, but today just might prove one for a brave group of souls.