Michele Scarponi to lead Lampre-ISD in Vuelta a Espana – Cycling News
Italian cyclist Michele Scarponi is setting his eyes on the Vuelta a Espana as his preparations for the Tour are of high standards and is filling the gap of his colleague Damiano Cunego who is not participating in the Tour. Scarponi has been chosen to lead
the team Lampre-ISD as Cunego is still recovering after Tour de France.
The 31-year-old has not physically seen the stages of Vuelta but is doing his home work by studying the maps in details as he mentioned, “They’re either easy or difficult. I’ve never been up the Angliru and if it’s as hard as they say, that’s probably a
good thing.”
Scarponi has the ideal chance to make his place in the general classifications as he will be supported by his team members to win the event.
Cyclist failed to finish the Tour of Poland but admits that it was the plan as he was getting used to the tougher stages and was getting ready for the Vuelta. He further added that he was leading the Tour of Poland but then he decided to save up energy.
Cyclist is in Livigno till August 15 and will depart to Spain for the Mega Tour.
The Italian finished ahead of Vincenzo Nibali as he finished second at the Giro d’ Italia and is positive to fight back and win the Vuelta a Espana this year as he said, “I’m going to Spain to try a win my first ever Grand Tour. I’ve been working carefully,
and I’ll have the same determination and aggression I had in the Giro, in the hope of having a great Vuelta.”
Scarponi further added that the race in Spain is different and will favour the climbers at the Vuelta a Espana. Major competition that he will face will be from Vicenzo Nibali, Denis Menchov, Joaquin, Rodriguez, Igor Anton, Bradley Wiggins and Jurgen Van
den Broeck.
Michele has to be really watchful for Cadel Evans, Samuel Sanchez, Alberto Contador and Rodriguez as they all are capable of turning the whole game in just a matter of minutes and it will be really interesting to see how he handles the mega event starting
on August 20.
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