On a crisp and clear morning, the enigmatic and much maligned David "Crystal Cranks" Runge, clicked into the 12 cog of the heritage Kypo, put his head down, and sailed past a stunned peloton to take his maiden victory in the hotly contested Giro sprints.
Never one to let the fact that you have to pedal get in the way of talking up a big game, CC was clearly underestimated by his breakaway companions as his previous mental fragility had generally seen him come unstuck when the going got hot.
Not today however. Employing his aesthetically challenging but undoubtedly effective (today at least) last of the straight backs sprinting action, Runge hit the front for the first time at the only time it matters - 5 meters from the line.
Cries of "hollow victory" came from the vanquished, who refused to even have a post race coffee with the winner, instead going home to cry into their moccachino's alone. Worst effected was traditional sprint king Marriott, a scratching from todays stage and at home nursing an infected boil on his left testicle (allegedly).
This journalist caught up with the winner and his lead out man Watto as they basked in glory on their ride back from the lake view. Runge was so keen to inform of the small details of his win that he did another lap of the lake just to hold onto the moment for a little bit longer.
I think you will be hearing a lot more about this victory in the coming weeks, months and years.
Pepe Pompadillo
Real Cycling Stories
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