Giro d'Italia (st. 10)
italian champion profits from good final rush to take 3rd in the steep slopes of Assisi, keeps Blue presence in the Giro as Rodríguez (KAT) takes the day's triumph and the pink jersey - Intxausti 5th overall
Movistar Team came once again into the battle for the day’s win in the 2012 Giro d’Italia. After the big success from Fran Ventoso yesterday, it was the turn for Giovanni Visconti today as the Italian road champion contested the final rush in the tough slopes of Assisi (up to 15%), the ending point for stage ten in the Corsa Rosa after 186 kilometers starting at Civitavecchi. Spanish climber Joaquim Rodríguez (KAT) conquered the stage and the pink jersey as only Polish Bartosz Huzarski (APP) was able to overcome Visconti, the tricolore giving presence to the Blues following a hard stage where the telephone squad’s riders always kept the front.
A second group of favourites came few seconds behind the leading trio, with Beñat Intxausti -who keeps his 5th place in the GC- showing again his great fitness level and coming before a fine duo by Marzio Bruseghin and Sergio Pardilla, still on the upper section of the leaderboard in a day not so suited to their characteristics. The Giro will cover its 11th stage on Wednesday, the longest one in the 95th edition with 255 kilometers from Assisi to Montecatini Terme, plus a sole Cat. 4 climb with 12k from the finish.
QUOTES / Giovanni Visconti: “I think I could well have fought for the victory. I suffered really much until the final 1.5k, when I came a bit too far from the lead to contest the triumph. I expected to overtake my rivals in the ending section, but the road was so narrow that it was impossible to go through. When I could make it to the front at last, Purito attacked and I couldn’t follow him. I gave everything, but I can’t do any better. I feel sad about by teammate,s because they worked their heart out for me in a day not suiting me really much. It’s a pity, but we have to stay positive. I feel strong and we’ll look for our chances in the upcoming days.”