Christophe Le Mevel was the one who ultimately made it into the day’s break, but it was clear at the start of today’s stage of the Giro d’Italia that his Garmin-Cervelo team was planning on riding aggressively. David Millar and a team helper spent time writing details of all the day’s climbs on a piece of tape which was affixed to the top tube of his bike; speaking to VeloNation, the Scot was clear on what he expected, and what he wanted to achieve.
“I think it is going to be a hard day. There are rumours that Lampre are going to light it up, that is the word on the street…they are going to try to get rid of some of the sprinters. I hope that’s the case, as I can just sit in and wait for them to fatigue,” he said.
“I’d like to try and win today. That is my objective. I marked this stage out like I did the one before, and I have one after this, apart from the time trial. Today I want to win.
“If it means going early, I will go early. If it means going at the end, I’ll go at the end. We will see.”
Team-mate Cameron Meyer was also in an aggressive mood, saying he would look for his own opportunity. “I think it is going to be probably one of the hardest stages. Everyone I think knows that out of the blocks you have got that climb and it is going to go hell for leather,” he said. “I think there are a lot of guys who will want to be in the breakaway. It could take a while for the break to form. With all of those snappy hills at 12 percent, I think it is really going to be a hard stage.
“I feel good…I am feeling better than I did last year or in the years before. I think I am in much better condition. Hopefully a stage like this or further on in the week, I can play a role in getting into a break and fighting it out for a stage win.”
Millar was active early on but ultimately it was their team-mate Christophe Le Mevel who got clear in a group. With 30 kilometres remaining, they were a minute and a half clear of the peloton and pushing onwards. Behind, Alberto Contador’s Saxo Bank SunGard team were being forced to ride hard to contain the French rider plus the others in the move.
Even if the break is ultimately hauled back, today’s attack has put pressure on the Danish team. It may prompt them to try to allow the jersey to pass to the shoulders of another rider, reducing stress and physical demands prior to a very tough final week.
Le Mevel started the stage third overall, one minute 19 seconds behind Contador.