Johnny Hoogerland wasn’t the Polka Dot jersey at the Tour de France
Johnny Hoogerland of Team Vacansoleil-DCM is having a quite season and the cyclist has shown intent towards riding the Tour de France 2012.
His only commendable performance came during the Tirreno-Adriatico as he claimed the fifth overall spot at the event.
The cyclist is specifically targeting the mountain’s classifications at French race and briefed that he is well in form for the three-week race.
He was recently seen in action at the Tour de Suisse and even though he could not produce any impressive results, Hoogerland covered enough kilometres to get his form back.
“I got the kilometers that I needed to improve. That was successful,” he cited.
“Now a few days rest and then with the team to try and make something good at the national road championships.”
“More than last year, I have put my mind to the mountain jersey, although I know that it is not easy,” he briefed to
De Telegraaf.
“You need luck and a couple of times a good offense. There are a few stages where you can pick up a lot of points”.
He held the polka dot jersey for five stages during the Tour de France 2011 and is not willing to settle for anything less than the King of Mountains classifications.
The 29-year-old started his professional pursuit with Team Van Hermet-Eurogifts in 2004 and spent a period of two years with the side.
He also represented Team Jartazi-7Mobile in 2006 and joined Team Van Vliet-EBH Advocaten for the 2007 and the 2008 season before accepting an offer from Team Vacansoleil in 2009 season.
Hoogerland faced a disastrous crash after a media car brought him and Juan Antonio Flecha to the ground in the final 36 kilometres last year.
Both the cyclists managed to complete the race and Johnny was awarded with the mountains jersey.
He noted that, claiming the mountain classifications was never his goal last year but he is definitely looking ahead to make it happen this time round.
The 2012 edition of the Tour de France is scheduled from 30 June to 22 July 2012 and will include as many as three medium-mountain stage and six mountain stages.
Only time will tell, if Hoogerland succeeds to fulfil his dream by winning the mountains classifications at the race.
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