Stefano Garzelli won the green jersey for the best mountain climber in this year's Giro d'Italia. He took the competition by nine points over Alberto Contador. It is the second time Garzelli received the green jersey, after 2009.
The Acqua e Sapone rider was all smiles on a sunny day in Milano. "It is a great feeling to have obtained the green jersey after a nice Giro," he told VeloNation at the finish. He also felt good because he is local to the area. "I was born near Milano and I still live there, so it is a special kind of emotion I have."
Garzelli has started 13 Giri d'Italia, and won the 2000 edition. He did not finish on five occassions. One time he was forced out due to a masking agent found, the other four times he quit the race. In 1999, he stepped out of the Giro d'Italia with the whole Mercatone Uno team, after captain and pink jersey wearer Marco Pantani was found to have a high hematocrit level.
Last year, he dropped out on the last mountain stage up to the Passo Tonale, won by Johann Tschopp. "All the Giri are tough," he says. "Without a doubt, the stage to Gardeccia was hard. Even the time trial today was difficult." But he didn't think this year's race was any tougher than in previous years. "All the Giri are hard," he insists.
He does not have immediate plans for his race program. Battling three weeks made him tired. " Now I am just thinking about vacation," he says. For once, he will not have to travel. "I am staying home."