Joaquim Rodriguez has ruled out any clash of leadership with the new Katusha signing Denis Menchov, making it clear that he is pleased that the Russian rider has come on board.
“The arrival of Denis has been an open secret, as it was logical that the best Russian rider competes with this project,” he said, speaking from the team training camp in Italy. “Honestly, I think it was a success on both sides and hope that the results are not long in coming. I like to share leadership with him. We are two very different riders and can compete on two fronts at once, disputing races without problems.”
Menchov had talks with the team in previous seasons but was never able to reach a satisfactory conclusion. Things finally worked out this year, and his signing was confirmed last week; yesterday he donned the Katusha jersey for the first time, displaying the 2012 colours.
As Rodriguez says, the two are quite different riders, and will have different goals. Menchov has finished third, fourth and fifth in the Tour de France, and with almost 100 kilometres of time trialling in next year’s race, he could perform strongly again.
Meanwhile Rodriguez choses to avoid that event, as he did in 2011. He’s not fond of races against the clock and knows that he will have greater chance of success elsewhere.
“I’m satisfied with how it was last year [2011], so I will more or less repeat the schedule,” he confirmed, albeit with two small changes. Apart from switching his training camp from Mount Etna in Sicily to Teide in order to benefit from better weather, he’ll also make a modification in chasing form for a race he has performed well in during the past.
“Since I could not go well in Tirreno-Adriatico last season, we will try to ensure that it doesn’t happen again this year and that I’ll be in condition for the race of the two seas,” he said, “especially if it is confirmed that it will return to Montelupone .” The latter is a wall-like climb which he has twice dominated to win stages.
After that he will build up towards his first big targets, the Ardennes Classics. He was second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2009 and then runner-up in Flèche Wallonne in both 2010 and 2011; finally topping the podium is a big objective. “I will prepare thoroughly for the Classics,” he said, knowing that he’s close to winning. “if we can improve the peaks of last year, it’s sure we will be fighting for victory.”
Those races are still several months away, but he acknowledges that Philippe Gilbert and Alejandro Valverde, who is coming back from a suspension, are two likely rivals. He prefers not to think too much about their form now, though, instead concentrating on his own training.
“We have to see if the Belgian is able to repeat it this year,” Rodriguez said, referring to Gilbert. “And [to see] if Alexandro, who will certainly comes in form to his goals, is able to return to the level we were used to. Anyway, I still think the most important thing is that we do our job well. If we do that, the results will come.”
After those races, the Giro will be his next objective. He rode strongly this season, placing a fine fifth, and knows that the course could suit his punchy characteristics. Rodriguez emphasises the need to work hard, though, saying that the race looks ‘hard and nervous,’ and will require strong condition.