The belief that Spain's Alejandro Valverde will be disadvantaged in his bid to win the Giro d'Italia because he has never raced it before now is "a big load of crap," according to Australian teammate Rory Sutherland.
Valverde's inexperience in the Giro has been touted as a factor that could play against him, despite his vast grand tour experience in the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana.
However, Valverde (Movistar), 35, has finished top 10 overall in the Tour five times from eight starts with a third last year, fourth in 2014, eighth in 2013, ninth in 2008 and fifth in 2007.
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In the Vuelta, Valverde has placed in the top 10 overall in nine of his 10 starts, including his victory in 2009. He was also seventh in the Vuelta last year, third in 2003, 2012 and 2013, second in 2006 and 2012, fifth in 2008 and fourth in 2004.
After Thursday's 157km sixth stage of this year’s Giro from Ponte to Roccaraso, Valverde was placed sixth overall at 41 seconds to the Dutch leader Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin).
Hence, when asked about Valverde’s inexperience in the Giro by Cyclingnews after stage five on Wednesday, Sutherland replied: "I keep hearing this from a lot of people: 'He has never done the Giro, so he doesn't know how to race in Italy.'
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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