Joaquim Rodriguez closing in at the top overall spot at the Giro d’ Italia 2012
Joaquim Rodriguez is enjoying a splendid form in the current season and has secured many victories in the first half of the season.
Rodriguez is ranked amongst the best classics specialists and has a number of victories in his bag which he has gathered from various parts of the world.
His Splendid climbing capabilities is yet another reason why Joaquim is often nicknamed as ‘El Purito’.
The 33-year-old is currently seen in action at the first Grand Tour race of the season, the Giro d’ Italia 2012 and the cyclist has shown tremendous legs at the event.
He is holding the second overall spot after the stage 9 classifications and is a serious contender to occupy the top podium spot at the three-week race.
Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin-Barracuda is leading the race with a healthy margin of 9 seconds over Rodriguez.
Paolo Tiralongo of Team Astana is further six seconds behind at the third position while Roman Kreuziger of Team Astana and Benat Intxausti of Team Liquigas-Cannondale finished at the fourth and the fifth positions in the respective order.
Rodriguez is enjoying a terrific season in the current season and has secured numerous victories in the season already.
He finished first at the La Fleche Wallone and bagged stages at the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tirreno-Adriatico.
The cyclist secured the second overall spot at the Tour of the Basque Country and finished sixth overall position at the Tirreno-Adriatico 2012.
While commenting on the his second place finish he cited, “I felt better than yesterday [Saturday],the climb suited me a lot more even if Astana and Liquigas were going all out”.
“We’re barely into the second week, it’s too early to say what’s going to happen, I’m going to stay calm for now”.
The cyclist is happy with his second overall spot at the race, “because in all the major Tours I’ve done so far”, he cited.
I’ve always been on the backfoot, for one reason or another, in the first week. This time it’s different.”
“I’ve also had a very good first part of the season so I can be a bit more relaxed about the Giro. Whatever happens, the pressure is off”.
Only time will tell, if the 33 year old can bridge the gap to secure the pink jersey in the coming stages of the Giro d’ Italia 2012.
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