John Gadret targeting the podium at the Giro d’ Italia 2012
Team AG2R-La Mondiale is having a tough season with no victories in its bag yet. The team is now targeting the Giro d’ Italia as the first big goal of its 2012 season.
The team currently holds the 16th overall spot at the UCI World Tour Teams Rankings with only 112 points in its bag.
Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step is leading the category with a maximum number of 547 points.
Team Liquigas-Cannondale is at the second position with Team Katusha, Team Astana and Team GreenEdge holding the third, fourth and fifth positions in the respective order.
Team Owner Bjarne Riis is worried about his side’s dipping performance but has shown full faith in the French rider to help the team at the Giro d’ Italia 2012.
He noted, "Without a pre race favourite or a GC contender in our line-up we will have an opportunistic approach to this year's first Grand Tour".
“We have tried to put together a group of riders, who can help and support Juan Jose Haedo in the sprints, but also ride aggressively on their own on intermediate stages”.
"Our goal will be to win a stage, and I have no doubts that these guys will make an impact on the race already on the very first stages in Denmark," team owner Bjarne Riis said.
John joined the French team in 2004, and stayed with the side by the end of the 2005 season. He accepted an offer from Team AG2R in 2006 and is continuing with the team for the seventh consecutive season.
Gadret succeeded during the 11th stage of the Giro d’ Italia 2011 and finished the race at the fourth overall position.
Alberto Contador secured the top overall position after the final general classifications while Michele Scarponi, Vincenzo Nibali and John Gadret achieved the next three spots.
However, Contador’s disqualification has now promoted the cyclists to the first, second and third positions.
"What I did last year was very good. I hope to do the same again this year,” Gadret cited.
It will be interesting to see if John can continue his last year’s winning momentum to claim podium at the 2012 version of the Giro d’ Italia.
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