It’s been a good few weeks for PEZ’s friends in the peloton; big Adam Hansen won the Ster Elektrotoer and last Wednesday, Rubens Bertogliati (Androni-Giocattoli) successfully defended his Swiss time trial champion’s jersey.

The ink is barely dry on the Vuelta finishing sheets and we’re talking “the Worlds” – why? Because it’s our job, sir! Our man at Mendrisio for the ‘cronometro’ and ‘corsa in linea’ will be pro of ten years, former Tour de France yellow jersey holder and reigning Swiss elite time trial champion, Rubens Bertogliati (Diquigiovanni). We thought we’d catch up with Rubens before the Worlds, just to set the scene.

We’re only five stages into the 100th Giro – one team trial, two sprint stages and two mountain stages - but already there are riders 55 minutes down on GC – it’s a tough one! Rubens Bertogliati (Diquigiovanni & Switzerland) took time to talk to us before dinner; whilst Dario Cioni (ISD & Italy) prefers to chat on a full stomach – here’s what they had to say about the first five days.

Fall, and it's not just the leaves that change; it's the time when a young pro's thoughts turn to finding a new sponsor to pay the wages. PEZ talks with Rubens Bertogliati about what's to come in 2009.