Despite coming close to victory in last year’s Vuelta a España, where he was forced to with draw with a broken elbow while in the race lead, Igor Antón doesn’t see himself as an overall contender in the Giro d’Italia. In an interview with Basque newspaper Gara, the 28-year-old limited his ambition in the race to taking a mountain stage victory.
“The Giro is a more demanding race than the Vuelta,” he said, “with a lot of situations that I can’t control. I’m not as familiar with the Giro as I am with the Vuelta, and the most important thing is the Vuelta and I will be there to fight for the general [classification] from the beginning.”
The Basque rider would already have been put on the back foot by the Euskaltel-Euskadi team’s not unexpected 23rd, and last place, in Saturday’s team time trial. Antón has already lost as much as a minute to many of those who would be his rivals for the pink jersey, so it’s just as well he has no intention of fighting for it.
“At the Giro I’m looking for a stage,” he confirmed. “I’m not going to give away time, but if you don’t dispute the general [classification] it’s easier to take a stage.
“Doing well overall is nice and everything, but no one remembers you unless you win,” he explained, “but to win a stage, the first for Euskaltel in the Giro, would be historic and there would be a big celebration.”
Another reason for Antón’s unwillingness to commit to a battle for pink is that, unlike may riders, he doesn’t feel that he can fight for two Grand Tours in one season; naturally he prefers to concentrate on the one in his own homeland.
“Fighting for the general [classification] also means physical exhaustion and psychological stress that could cost me later in the Vuelta. I want to be on top form in September and in the Giro it’s important to take a partial victory; it won’t be easy.”
Strong performances in the Vuelta a Castiila y Leon last month, where he finished third overall, as well as a good showing in the Ardennes classics, prove that Antón has come to the Giro in good form. Having taken two tough stages in last year’s Vuelta, the Basque rider will likely be there when the Italian roads start to tilt upwards.