Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver is targeting the Grand Tour for the season ahead
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver is optimistic to win a Grand Tour for the season ahead. The cyclist is currently seeking his first season victory at the Tour of Oman and is targeting the final stage scheduled on Sunday.
The Spaniard rode both the Giro and the Vuelta in the previous season but failed to achieve the podium spot at the race.
He finished 5th during the Giro d’ Italia and 19th at the Vuelta a Espana 2011. He believes that he had been unlucky in the last season.
He told AS, “That little bit of luck [is what I’ve been lacking], because I’ve gone close in just about all of the Classics that suit me, and I also think that the podium of a three-week race is within my reach, that I can even win one”.
Rodriguez further added, “Victory in a top Classic and a stage win in the Giro to add to those that I’ve taken in the Tour and Vuelta would round out my palmarès nicely. You’ve always got to be ambitious”.
The 32-year-old holds as many as 14 Grand Tour appearances under his belt but has not claimed the podium spot yet.
Joaquim started riding professionally with Team ONCE-Eroski in 2001 and stayed with the side for a period of three years.
He also represented Team Saunier Duval-Prodir (2004-2005), Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears (2006-2009) and joined the Russian side, Team Katusha in 2010.
Rodriguez has shown faith in Hans-Michael Holczer’s team for the third consecutive season after helping the side with a number of victories last year.
He claimed the overall position at the Vuelta a Burgos 2011 and also achieved the points classifications at the race.
The Spaniard secured the 5th and the 8th stages of the Spanish Grand Tour, along with the 1st stage win at the Tour of Basque Country.
He bagged the 5th stage at the Giro d’ Italia and finished 3rd at the Giro di Lombardia 2011.
Joaquim is targeting both the Giro and the Vuelta Espana 2012, and is positive to climb the podium this year.
Only time will tell if Rodriguez can fulfil his dream of grabbing a top position at the Grand Tours, which he is training very hard to achieve.
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