schmalz We’re, talking to Dave Zabriskie via IM, as he has a circus phone that doesn’t work in Italy and he’s in a hotel with no phones (I think he’s in the outhouse right now), Dave, how are you, and more importantly in IM parlance, what are you wearing?

zabriskie LoL

schmalz Yesterday’s stage was a protest stage, have you ever been involved with in a protest stage before?

zabriskie Yes I was one of the main players in the famous protest at the Sea Otter in 2002.

schmalz That was a safety protest also wasn’t it?

zabriskie Yes it was. I think the safest thing would be if everyone just hooked up to stationary trainers and raced online.

schmalz And you could do it from home! No more traveling to races and having your house robbed – those dirty bastards!

zabriskie Exactly no more polluting caravan or buses either.

schmalz I think we’ve just figured out bike racing. Which stage do you think was more dangerous the Sea Otter stage or yesterday’s Giro stage?

zabriskie Yesterday

schmalz What was the main concern about the course?

zabriskie Parked cars railroad tracks wide to narrow roads signs in middle…this course had it all…

schmalz How did the word about the protest get around? Was it like grade school where kids passed notes around – also did the note say "do you like me?" with boxes for "yes" and "no"?

zabriskie Di luca and his team were at the front keeping people in check…it wasn’t easy to keep everyone cool…the bosses in the cars were telling riders to race.

schmalz So was the situation pretty tense? Who wasn’t playing along?

zabriskie Everyone was pretty sensible

schmalz It made for compelling television. How did you guys come to the decision to have a sprint at the end of the race?

zabriskie There still had to be a winner…so it was sprint time I guess.

schmalz You’ve been riding with the Shimano electric shifters on your road and TT bike, aren’t you afraid someone is going to stand by the side of the road with a TV remote and shift your gears against your will?

zabriskie Hasn’t really been a concern yet…I love the stuff…it really is the best yet.

schmalz You have to charge the batteries, no? This is a concern for me as my cell phone battery regularly goes dead from my neglect…

zabriskie No charging…I think you get over 300 hrs with a battery or a charge.

schmalz Ah, so how are you spending your rest day today?

zabriskie Playing new Wolverine game on psp thanks to Activision. And watching "The Wire", thanks to you

schmalz The Wire is good, isn’t it?

zabriskie Very…I’m in the 5th season.

schmalz I won’t give up the ending then, I’m really bummed that series ended. Who’s your roomate? And how does he deal with the gassiness?

zabriskie Thanks. It’s Cameron Meyer. He hasn’t said anything yet.

schmalz He’s obviously too intimidated to say anything, poor kid. You’ve got a 60 k TT coming up, what’s with all the long Giro stages this year?

zabriskie I thought that might be it…they are always long maybe people just started noticing…

schmalz But 60k is a bit long for a TT, do you need to do any sort of special preparation? Or do you just need to remember to bring more water?

zabriskie I’m sure there will be some sort of feed. No special prep here.

schmalz Have you been using the big icy legs thing Allen Lim developed?

zabriskie Yep.

schmalz Are you wearing them right now? Because I imagine you sitting there like this big puffy legged sumo wrestler as you play Wolverine…

zabriskie No…but I am playing the game.

schmalz So does the team feel any rivalry with Columbia, or is that just in the minds of the fans and media?

zabriskie That must be in the media…I have a big shipment of DZ-Nuts to give them tomorrow.

schmalz Are you trading George for some jeans?

zabriskie Nope

schmalz Do you get involved in the lead out for Tyler?

zabriskie I tried yesterday…I’m not the best at it…it helps to have as many guys up there as possible

schmalz So you’re not usually involved in the final lead out?

zabriskie It’s pretty rare.

schmalz Now, why does JV just come for the Giro presentation and then leaves the country – doesn’t he realize how much wine he could sniff in Italy? And what about all those pointy shoes he could buy there?

zabriskie He’s a busy man.

schmalz I know, all I’m saying is those ascots aren’t going to buy themsleves. Have you talked to VDV since his crash?

zabriskie True I’m guessing an ascot is a shoe right now…haven’t talked to cv…I heard he is doing ok though

schmalz Ascot, shoes, I think JV is a whole ensemble guy. Are you guys losing sleep preparing for the TTT rematch with Colmbia in the Tour?

zabriskie No sleep lost here.

schmalz That’s good, you’ll be nice and rested for playing some more Wolverine. Do you ever play with anyone else? And if so, who’s the best player?

zabriskie No. Just me. I need to go get massage now…

schmalz OK, thanks for your time.

zabriskie Ok later.