Roman Kreuziger eyeing victory at the Giro d’ Italia opener
Roman Kreuziger started off the 2012 season quietly but Team Astana cyclist is pumped up for his major objective of the season, the Giro d’ Italia.
The first Grand Tour of the season kicks off in Denmark on May 5 and the three-week race will conclude on May 27 in Milan.
The Czech professional cyclist has not registered any victories in the season yet and is optimistic to find his winning momentum at the Italian event.
He finished 6th at the Strade Bianche and occupied the third overall spot at the Tirreno-Adriatico along with a third place finish during the stage 2 of the Giro del Trentino.
The cyclist is determined to open his 2012 winning account during the opening stage of the first Grand Tour race of the season.
Kreuziger rode brilliantly in the 2011 edition of the Giro d’ Italia and claimed the best young rider jersey award.
He also managed to claim the sixth overall spot and overcame some of the biggest names in the sport.
While commenting on the coming version of the Italian race, he briefed that the confidence level and the mental approach is higher than the last year.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport, “Compared to last year, I’m more relaxed. I needed this time to make myself at home at Astana”.
“Above all, I had a good winter. I did a lot of training a long way from home but they’re efforts that are paying off and it was worth doing it”.
“I’ll look to gain seconds on my rivals, it would be important for the moral and for the confidence”.
“I made some changes. I have a wider saddle and longer cranks – 177.5mm instead of 175mm”.
“Even Contador used to have the same problem of slipping forward that I did”.
Roman also holds four Tour de France and three Vuelta a Espana participations under his belt.
His finished 9th during the 2009 edition of the French race and occupied the 8th overall position during the Tour de France 2010.
Team Astana is having a dry season and has only secured three victories in the first half of the season.
It is now looking towards the young Kreuziger to help the team with a much needed victory at the Giro d’ Italia 2012.
Tags: