Vincenzo Nibali warns of Mount Etna climb at the 2011 Giro d'Italia
Vuelta a Espana winner Vincenzo Nibali has warned his fellow riders that the climb up Mount Etna during the 2011 Giro d'Italia will be no easy feat.
The Italian, who rides for Liquigas-Doimo, recently tested the ascent up the volcano and shared his impressions when speaking to Italian daily
Gazzetta del Sud.
"I had a taste of what we might meet the day of the stage. When I started off it was warm, but as I climbed, the temperature dropped, and by the time I got to the summit it was only 5 degrees Celsius," the 25-year-old said. "But what struck me most and caused
me most problems was the wind: it’s crazy, both in terms of the force of the gusts and the cold. We’ll see how the weather is in May, but we’ll have to take account of it."
Sicilian Nibali, who could lead the Liquigas team at next year's Giro, should Ivan Basso opt not to start the race, won two stages in this year's edition before finishing third in the overall standings.
Not Nibali's first ascent up the volcano
At 15, the rider climbed Mount Etna for the first time, and he intends to return to Europe's largest active volcano before climbing it twice during the ninth stage of the Giro in May.
"I’ll certainly have the chance to come back and study it in depth and then prepare this stage as best as possible. Every time that you climb this volcano it’s a special experience. To arrive at the summit is a most beautiful feeling, pedalling through the
snow and at the same time being able to look down towards the sea. It’s a beautiful, unique landscape and it’s ours here in Sicily."
Nibali, a favourite to win next year's general classification, will also relish starting the stage in his hometown, Messina.
"It will be a continuous party for the duration of the stage, with huge crowds on the roadsides cheering us on. The start from Messina will be truly special for me; a singular emotion on a day that I hope will be unforgettable."
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