Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) had what he described as “a bad day” on yesterday’s stage to Mount Etna. He lost 2’21” to stage winner, and new race leader, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) and now trails his compatriot by 3’34”. Nothing has changed for the winner of last year’s UCI WorldTour though, with his primary goal in the race a strong finish in the general classification.
After yesterday’s performance from Contador though, which only Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) was able to follow, and only Jose Rujano (Androni Giocattoli-CIPI) was able to hold on to, Rodriguez knows that taking on Contador on the final climb of the race will not be the way to beat him.
“He’s tough to beat,” said “Purito” Rodriguez, “but we have to think of something, of course. We must make the race from a long way out and wear him out; but taking him on face to face is impossible.”
Although Rodriguez was not climbing as well as he hoped to be, he recognises that Contador himself has come to the race with very good form. The Katusha rider still hopes to perform well in the rest of the race.
“We were faced with an exhibition from Contador,” he said, “and I lost what I had to lose. Nothing has changed for me though, and I continue to think of my goal, which is fighting for the general classification. I don’t have a problem with my health or poor form, it’s just that climbing isn’t going as well as it might for me.”
Contador’s attack came with almost seven kilometres to go to the top of the iconic Sicilian volcano, which gave the Tour de France champion a lot to do to keep the momentum of the attack going.
“I didn’t expect the attack,” said Rodriguez. “I thought he was going to attack at the end. I take my hat off to him; he’s very strong, a few points above the rest.”
The Giro has since transferred from Sicily to the Adriatic coast, from where it will head north in the next few days. Once it reaches the north east of the country, and the Dolomite mountains, there will be successive stages finishing on the Grossglockner, Monte Zoncolan, and Gardeccia Val di Fassa.
“The three stages in the mountains will be really tough and there will be enormous time gaps,” he said. “If Etna is anything to go by then the last week will be incredible.”