Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale) is going all out this year for the Giro d’Italia. The Giro has always been good to Uran and after being the bridesmaid twice, he says that this year could be his best chance to win the corsa rosa.
Uran made his breakthrough as a Grand Tour rider at the 2012 Giro when he finished seventh overall. He stepped up the following season when his team leader Bradley Wiggins abandoned and went on to take second place behind Vincenzo Nibali. He was the runner-up in 2014 again, this time behind his compatriot Nairo Quintana.
“I’ve been second twice and this year I want to take victory,” Uran told Cyclingnews. “Every year is special because every year I train to win. Sometimes it’s not possible because that’s cycling. This year it is good. I’m happy with my preparation.
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“It’s important to be on the podium or in the top 5 because it’s a big race but I’ve been second twice, and now I think it is the best opportunity to win this race.”
The only blot on Uran’s Giro copybook in recent years was his 14th place at last year’s race, something he partly puts down to a lack of support in the mountains. He hopes that the backing of a more balanced Cannondale squad will see that right. Alongside Uran at this year’s race will be young climbers Joe Dombrowski and Davide Formolo, as well as experienced hand Andre Cardoso.
“I’m happy because the team is really strong on both the climbs and the flat. We have four guys who are strong on the climbs and then three who are strong on the flat, and this is a good combination,” explained Uran. “Etixx was a good team, and they were really strong but for the climbs they didn’t have that many climbers. There was only really [Gianluca] Brambilla last year, and he crashed at Liege and didn’t ride the Giro.
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