Joaquim Rodriguez dedicated the stage 17 Giro win to Xavier Tondo
Joaquim Rodriguez was happy after bagging the stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia 2012.
The Spaniard dedicated the victory to the Spanish cyclist Xavier Tondo who died on the same day one year ago.
The cyclist was training with his team-mate Benat Intxausti in Sierra Nevada on May 23, 2011 while his garage door fell on him as reported by the Spanish media.
Rodriguez pays tribute to his compatriot and a very close friend after winning the 187 kilometre stage 17 of the race.
He crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 5 hours, 24 minutes and 42 seconds and occupied the top podium position.
Ivan Basso of Team Liquigas-Cannondale and Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin-Barracuda finished at the second and the third positions in the respective order.
The cyclist was delighted after the stage victory and immediately hugged the second place finisher Ivan Basso after crossing the finish line.
He noted, "I wanted to win today because it's a special day, Xavi was a great friend of mine. I've known him since we were kids".
"It's not that I think of him today, one year after his death, I'll keep thinking of him all of my life".
"I don't like to talk about him, I also dislike hearing some people talking about him as if they knew him but they actually didn't”.
“He's in my heart, that's all. I don't want to talk about him, thanks".
The 33-year-old is having a terrific season and has already bagged numerous victories including the first place finish at the la Fleche Wallonne, a second overall spot at the Tour of the Basque Country and a convincing sixth place finish at the Tirreno-Adriatico
2012.
Rodriguez also claimed stages at the Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of the Basque Country.
The stage victory helped Joaquim with a top spot at the stage 17 classifications with an impressive lead of 30 seconds over Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin-Barracuda.
Ivan Basso of Team Liquigas-Cannondale is further one minute and 8 second behind at the third spot while Michele Scarponi of Team Lampre-ISD and Rigoberto Uran Uran of Team Sky holds the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
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