Liquigas-Cannondale’s star will decide on Tour and Vuelta after Giro

Italian cyclist Vincenzo Nibali is only thinking of winning the Giro d’Italia this May, everything else comes second.

“I am thinking of the Giro d’Italia, one of the first and biggest goals for me,” he told Tuttobiciweb.com. “After the Giro d’Italia, we will decide on the Tour de France or Vuelta a España, we still don’t know yet.”

Nibali, 26, won the Vuelta a España last year. He was the first Italian to do so in 20 years, since 1990. The win backed up his ride at the Giro d’Italia, where he helped team-mate Ivan Basso win and finished third overall. In addition, Nibali won the mountain stage to Asolo and wore the leader’s pink jersey for three days.

Liquigas asked Nibali to race the Giro d’Italia at the last minute. The Italian team needed a helper deluxe to replace Franco Pellizotti, who the UCI caught doping with its biological passport one week prior to the race. The decision meant Nibali skipped the Tour de France.

“I am not upset,” Nibali said. “Given how the season went, with the Giro and the Vuelta, I am happy.”

Italy’s Basso will likely skip racing for a third Giro d’Italia title this year to give Nibali his space and himself a chance to win the Tour de France. He twice finished on the podium, in 2004 and 2005 behind Lance Armstrong.

“We will see if Basso races, he said he will aim more for the Tour de France,” added Nibali. “He had to decide later on the Giro d’Italia. It’s his decision.”

Nibali has been training on the Italian island of Sardinia with his Liquigas team-mates, including Americans Ted King and Tim Duggan. He will make his debut there at the Giro di Sardegna, February 22 to 26.

“I am relaxed. Last year at this point, I already had a race in my legs, though, with the Tour de San Luis. We are training in Olbia and doing well,” he said.

“I will race and see how it goes. If there is a chance for a win, I will take it. I have only one thought, the Giro d’Italia. To arrive in the best form and try to be the number one favourite.”

Brief palmarès:
2010: Vuelta a España, stage win and 3rd Giro d’Italia, Tour de San Luis, Tour of Slovenia, Trofeo Melinda
2009: 7th Tour de France, Giro dell’Appennino,
2008: Giro del Trentino
2007: Giro di Toscana
2006: GP Ouest-France