Thomas De Gendt delighted with the Giro podium spot
Thomas De Gendt of Team Vacansoleil-DCM entered the Giro d’Italia with high hopes after having a dry season.
The cyclist opened his 2012 winning account with a stage 7 victory at the Paris-Nice 2012 and was looking forward to secure wins at the Giro d’Italia 2012.
He rode brilliantly throughout the three-week race and was finally rewarded with a stage victory during the 218 kilometre penultimate stage of the race.
Thomas was delighted after registering one of the biggest win of his professional career at the queen stage of the Giro d’Italia.
“I did not expect that,” he briefed.
“I attacked on the Mortirolo, because the descents is very dangerous. All the pieces came together. Carrara was was still in the lead. He helped me a lot".
“And I know the Stelvio very well. I have trained there for six years. I've climbed it 20 or 30 times. It's very nice to win on my mountain".
He also managed to grab the third overall position after the final general classifications with a total deficit of 1 minute and 39 seconds over the race leader Ryder Hesjedal.
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver of Team Katusha finished 16 seconds behind at the second spot with Michele Scarponi of Team Lampre-ISD and Ivan Basso of Team Liquigas-Cannondale finishing at the fourth and the fifth spots.
The final list of top 15 cyclists after the final general classifications is as under,
1 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Barracuda 91:39:02
2 Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team 0:00:16
3 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:01:39
4 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre - ISD 0:02:05
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:03:44
6 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD 0:04:40
7 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky Procycling 0:05:57
8 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Colnago - CSF Inox 0:06:28
9 Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky Procycling 0:07:50
10 Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:08:08
11 John Gadret (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:09:12
12 Dario Cataldo (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quickstep 0:11:59
13 Gianluca Brambilla (Ita) Colnago - CSF Inox 0:14:20
14 Johann Tschopp (Swi) BMC Racing Team 0:14:27
15 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Astana Pro Team 0:19:58
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