With 13 Australian starters in the 97th Giro d’Italia there’s a big representation from a nation that, in 2014, is able to watch the race live on free-to-air television for the first time. SBS is broadcasting all the stages live and there’s much anticipation around the event that includes Cadel Evans in the line-up. He was the first Aussie to ever wear the maglia rosa (back in 2002, when he led GC for one stage and ultimately finished 14th overall). In 2010, as the world champion, he again wore the leader’s jersey for one day before finishing fifth overall (and winning the maglia rossa for first in the points classification).
Since the 17th stage of the 2002 race, five Australians have worn the maglia rosa – Evans as well as Brad McGee, Brett Lancaster, Robbie McEwen and Richie Porte. Of this quintet it is Porte, who won the white jersey in the 2010 edition as the race’s best young rider, spent the longest in the lead of GC. The Tasmanian wore pink for three days during his debut in the Giro. McGee wore pink for two days in 2004 and the others only spent one day each in the overall lead (with Evans doing that twice, 2002 and 2010).
With thanks to Yuzuru Sunada, here is a gallery of images of all the Australians who have led the Giro d’Italia until now.