Young Czech Grand Tour hope dreaming of the podium next May
New Astana signing, Roman Kreuziger, looks set to focus his 2011 efforts on the recently unveiled Giro d’Italia. The Czech talent has never contested the Tour of Italy before, but according to Czech media and WielerFlits, looks set to target the Italian Grand Tour in 2011.
“I want to fight for the podium,” said the 2008 winner of the Tour de Suisse – at the time, only 22 years old.
Following a 9th place overall in the Tour de France in 2009, Kreuziger once again focused his efforts solely on the Grand Boucle, but was not able to improve on his efforts from the year before, landing once again in 9th overall.
At first glance, 9th place for a second year in a row would appear to be a let down, but at only 24 years of age, the 2009 winner of the Tour de Romandie still enjoyed a solid Tour de France and a solid year in general highlighted by the overall win at the Giro di Sardegna, 3rd overall at Paris-Nice, and 5th at the Amstel Gold Race.
According to WielerFlits, Kreuziger will decide after the Giro whether he will race the Tour de France in support of Alexandre Vinokourov or if he will take a break and go all in for a second Grand Tour in 2011, the Vuelta.
Compared to the limited possibilities available for the young Grand Tour hope, the sky seems to be the limit for Kreuziger at Astana. He could conceivably be the team leader at two Grand Tours in 2011 – a great opportunity for the rider that will still only be 25.