Brutal start in Holland
Pablo Lastras is one of many who have fallen on the early stages of this year’s Giro d’Italia, and the Spaniard is clearly unimpressed with the dangers that have faced the riders. He let fly in a statement released yesterday, making it clear that he does not feel that the route has been up to standard thus far.
“The roads in Holland are not suitable for cycling, and with globalization, many of the riders in the peloton are not treated with the appropriate respect and professionalism,” the Caisse d’Epargne rider said.
He fell on Monday’s third stage and finished 65th, losing four minutes and eight seconds behind the winner Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step). That time loss was not the problem, though, but rather then injury he suffered.
“Fortunately I have not broken anything, but right now it hurts me to even sit in a chair,” he said, then confirming that he should be able to continue in the race. “Today [Tuesday] I have rested completely and tomorrow morning we will train a little, so it looks that I will be able to start in the team time trial.”
Lastras is one of many riders who have expressed dissatisfaction with the way things have been organised. Apart from complaints about the roads used, riders were also unhappy to have been forced to attend a late-night dinner after their lengthy transfer from the Netherlands. He and the rest of the field will hope that things settle down from this point on.
In terms of the racing, he picks a compatriot as the person who he sees in the final Maglia Rosa in two and a half week’s time.
“My favourite is Carlos Sastre. I think he races very smoothly and also prudently. He is very strong in the final week, which can be tough. I think it is between him and Evans,” he explained, before listing the other rivals.
“The Italians can also figure, and I believe that Nibali and Basso seem to be in very good shape. They also seem very focussed. The same goes for Garzelli and Scarponi. I think it will be difficult for Vinokourov, even if he has one of the race’s strongest teams. But Sastre is definitely my favourite.”
The Giro d’Italia continues today with a 33 kilometre time trial from Savigliano to Cuneo.