Solid showing in Memorial Marco Pantani, three Italian races left for Spaniard
Ninth in the Memorial Marco Pantani on Saturday, Vuelta a España winner Juan Jose Cobo and his team have confirmed that the Spaniard will keep racing right up to an end of season target in the Giro di Lombardia.
The Geox TMC rider finished in the front group in Saturday’s race, which was won in a 28-man sprint by
Fabio Taborre (Acqua E Sapone) ahead of Davide Rebellin (Miche-Guerciotti) and Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo).
His directeur sportif Stefano Zanini has said that after that solid performance, the rider will be ambitious in his three remaining events of 2011.
“Cobo showed that he’s still at a good level and I think that in this shape he can aim for a fantastic season ending,” he stated. “For now his schedule has him participating, in order, in the Coppa Sabatini, in the Giro dell’Emilia and then in the Giro di Lombardia.”
Those three races will take place on October 8th, 12th and 15th.
Cobo said that he could have been distracted by the celebrations, appointments and obligations after his Tour of Spain victory, but that he did his utmost to stay focussed in order to be in the right condition for the subsequent events. After the biggest success of his career, he wants to make the most of his form and morale.
“I’m pleased with how my return to racing went, and especially with how I was feeling during the race,” he said. “After the success at the Vuelta there were really a lot of engagements beyond the bike, but anyhow I tried to stay concentrated and train because in this season final there are still some important events for me and the team.”
The team has not yet officially confirmed he will be staying in 2012, but he has indicated that he prefers to stay put providing the right deal is worked out. He also said that Geox TMC would continue in 2012, thus dismissing suggestions that the team could finish earlier than originally anticipated.
Along with Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Flèche Wallonne, the Giro di Lombardia is the race best suited to the characteristics of Grand Tour contenders. It gives a strong end of year target to riders who would otherwise wind up their season after the Vuelta.