Early this morning I posed for the photographers' cameras during a photo shoot in the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. Following lunch with my family, I then boarded the plane for Italy. So I am now next to the Adriatic. The Giro d'Italia will begin on Saturday in Venice with a team time trial.

On Tuesday, in poor conditions, I completed my final motorbike training session in gauntlets. Today was certainly warmer on the fingers. Here in Italy it is not as warm as it is at home at the moment, but temperatures are still springlike.

We are based in a hotel between Lido di Jesolo and Venice. We'll travel to Venice by ship from this peninsula. I have been here once before with my wife Stefanie and so I know all about the city's very special atmosphere.

There's not much to say about the course for the team time trial on Saturday. It is 20.5 km long and will be flatter than flat. We in the Saxo Bank team will give it our all so as to get the tour off to a good start.

I have not yet studied our opponents. But I am ready for the first three-week tour of this season and my second start in the Giro d'Italia. So long, Fabian.