Team Liquigas-Cannondale relying on Ivan Basso for an overall victory at the Giro d’Italia 2012
Ivan Basso is having a dry season and the cyclist is determined to bag stages at the coming stages of the ongoing Giro d’ Italia 2012.
The cyclist currently holds the third overall position after the stage 15 classifications with a deficit of 1 minute and 22 second behind the race leader.
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver of Team Katusha is leading the category while Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin-Barracuda is 30 seconds behind at the second position.
Team Liquigas-Cannondale has never earned the pink jersey but the team is confident that the two-time former winner of the race can grab the top overall spot at the race.
The 34-year-old succeeded during the 2006 and the 2010 editions of the Italian Grand Tour and is in great shape for his third overall victory at the race.
“Whoever is ahead of me totally deserves it. He has conquered his advantage in all possible occasions.
“He rode a good prologue, an excellent team time trial, and he has attacked where the terrain suited his characteristics. He hasn’t made any mistake”.
“From my side, I have only played in defence and I always arrived with the strongest riders. I can still beat Purito but not in a 7km climb last yesterday”.
“A lot has been said about our way of racing, but we have to accept the criticisms. They’re part of our profession”.
The Italian joined Team Liquigas in 2008 and is continuing his fifth consecutive season with the side.
He also represented Team Riso Scotti (1999-2000), Team Fassa Bortolo (2001-03), Team CSC (1004-06), Team Discovery Channel (2007).
The top fifteen cyclists after the stage 15 classifications are as under,
Result
1
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team
65:11:07
2
Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Barracuda
0:00:30
3
Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
0:01:22
4
Paolo Tiralongo (Ita) Astana Pro Team
0:01:26
5
Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Astana Pro Team
0:01:27
6
Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISD
0:01:36
7
Benat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar Team
0:01:42
8
Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky Procycling
0:01:55
9
Dario Cataldo (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
0:02:12
10
Sandy Casar (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat
0:02:13
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