Now that the race is over, you might be thinking to yourself, what have we learned from this year's Giro? Well, let's see!

Here's a list, but in no particular order.

1. ASO sucks.
2. The Giro is harder, at least on paper, than the Tour de France.
3. The mountain stages in the Giro = WOW!!!
4. Astana confirms they are the best stage racing team in the world.
5. Johan Bruyneel and his director sportifs are geniuses.
6. Alberto Contador is good.
7. Contador can beat the best the Giro has to offer at 80% (okay, maybe 90%).
8. Levi Leipheimer was the biggest disappointment here, but he'll win the Dauphiné.
9. Danilo Di Luca is angry like a "killer". But maybe that's not such a revelation.
10. Di Luca hates ear pieces.
11. Di Luca likes yo-yoing in the peloton.
12. Riccardo Riccò is immature and a whiner.
13. Riccò and Di Luca enjoy showing off for the camera.
14. Gilberto Simoni is old.
15. But Simoni can still ride (mountain bikes).
16. Emanuele Sella!
17. What else?

Giro organizer's RCS should be applauding themselves today for making the correct decision to invite Astana. It would not have been as exciting of a race without them. Though it's almost sad to say, even right now, we can probably assume that Contador will not return next year to defend his title as he sets his sights towards a run at a second Tour de France title. But something tells me RCS will not be upset about that. This year, they have brought the Giro to another level and single handedly shown ASO what racing fair means. We know that ASO will not change their minds but we do hope that they have started to hear whispers behind their backs and begin to wonder whether they did the best thing for the sport. So with all due respect to Cadel, Alejandro and Damiano, it won't be until July 2009 before we know who the best cyclist in the world is.