Johan Bruyneel relying on Jakob Fuglsang for the Giro d’ Italia 2012
Johan Bruyneel is not a very happy man considering the fact that his team has secured only two victories in the season so far.
Fabian Cancellara helped the team on both the occasions with his first place finish at the Strade Bianche. The cyclist also secured the top spot during the 7th stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico 2012.
Team Manager, Johan Bruyneel is now looking towards Jakob Fuglsang to help his side at the first Grand Tour race of the year, the Giro d’ Italia.
The Dane joined the Luxembourg based team in 2011 after marking his professional debut with Team Saxo Bank for 2009-10 seasons.
Jakob claimed stages at the Danmark Rundt and the Vuelta a Espana 2011 and finished 4th overall at the Tour de Suisse and the Amstel Gold Race in the past season.
The cyclist has rode the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana in the past and is all set to mark his debut appearance at the Giro d’ Italia.
He has not opened his 2012 winning account yet and is optimistic to receive the honours at the Italian race.
Bruyneel is not expecting Fuglsang to claim the overall classifications but is sure of his capabilities to bag stages at the race.
He told sporten.dk, “It might not be possible for him to win the Giro d'Italia, but I think a realistic goal is to go after the top five. I will be happy with a fourth or fifth place - and if possible, why not also talk about getting on the podium”.
The 27-year-old is currently testing his hand at the Tour de Romandie which he fractured during a crash in Volta a Catalunya.
“I think its fine now. He has had a delay in his preparation, but it's not necessarily a setback for him,” Bruyneel explained.
“The Giro d'Italia is a three-week run, and the last week is really hard, this is what you need for a big stage race, and I think Jacob can handle it,” Bruyneel concluded.
Not only Bruyneel but other professionals have admired Jacob’s potential.
Ivan Basso of Team Liquigas Cannondale has declared Fuglsang as one of his main challengers at the 2012 version of the Giro d’ Italia.
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