Ivan Basso believes Vincenzo Nibali is more likely to win Giro d'Italia 2012
Italian rider Ivan Basso suggested that his compatriot, Vincenzo Nibali, is the favourite to win the Giro d’ Italia 2012. It was believed that Nibali might miss his home Grand Tour in order to ensure his best form at the Tour de France 2012.
Basso stated that he would prefer to ride alongside Nibali at the Giro, scheduled in May 2012. He told Gazzetta dello Sport, “My favourite for the Giro is Nibali, I’m convinced that in the end Vincenzo will be at the Giro too”.
The track ideally suits Nibali, which is why he declared him the favourite. Meanwhile, Ivan also briefed that Giro d’ Italia is a top priority for Team Liquigas.
The 34-year-old revealed that the team has not announced their leader as of now and “the role of captain will be decided by the legs,” he stated.
Team Manager Roberto Amadio mentioned that Vincenzo’s participation at the Giro d’ Italia will be announced later, somewhere by the end of April.
He said, “We’ll take stock after Liège-Bastogne-Liège, keeping in mind the form and desire of the riders”.
It will be the sixth Giro participation for Basso, he appeared in 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010 editions of the race. He won the overall general classifications during Giro d’ Italia 2006 and 2010.
Ivan was quoted as saying, “It’s true that the Giro is won day by day and not in one stage, but where I have to make the difference is on the Stelvio and the day before at Pampeago”.
On the other hand, the 27-year-old Nibali has raced the Giro on four occasions and his best position so far had been a third place finish in the 2010 and 2011 versions of the race.
Nibali might not be as successful in terms of general classification wins but there are no doubts about his abilities.
He won the Vuelta a Espana 2010, along with a 7th place finish at the Vuelta a Espana 2011.
Basso briefed that the final time trial stage of the race only requires strength and no tactics. The cyclist is confident about his sprinting abilities and believes that he can take on the Tour with the support of his team mates.
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