Fabio Aru has described his display at the Vuelta a España as proof of his professionalism as he reaches the end of his contract at Astana. The Italian champion is expected to leave for UAE-Team Emirates in 2018, though the transfer is yet to be confirmed.
Aru rode strongly on the Vuelta’s first mountain stage in Andorra, but the residual fatigue from the Tour de France took a toll as the race drew on. He struggled in the second half of the Vuelta, eventually finishing 13th overall, more than 21 minutes behind winner Chris Froome (Sky).
“[I showed] my professionalism, to the team and to all the fans,” Aru told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I don’t like not finishing a job, I’m paid to do it. I was very happy with Astana’s win the team classification, and without me, that would not have happened. I know that in the team it meant a lot.
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“Doubling up with the Tour is really hard and stressful. I had done the Giro and the Vuelta in the same year before, I can say there’s no comparison. That was easier, there’s more time to rest.”
Aru made headlines during the Vuelta when La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on tensions between the Italian champion and Astana, claiming that the team had neglected to provide Aru with a 36-tooth chainring to tackle the steep climb of Los Machucos on stage 17. Aru made no comment on the reports and launched a long, solo attack on the following day’s stage to Santo Toribio de Liebana.
“I’d prefer to end my season by showing gratitude to the people who allowed me to turn professional and gave me a living,” Aru said. “For my part, although I wasn’t at 100 per cent because the Vuelta wasn’t in my plans, I put in a big effort.”
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