Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 11: Assisi → Montecatini Terme, 255 km

“I’d like to be a sprinter like Alessandro Petacchi but I don’t think I’ve got the talent he has but of course I’ll try to do my best.”

“In the last kilometre of the sprint, Cavendish looked at me and I understood what he was trying to tell me. But I’m a sprinter and my job is to sprint and if possible to win.”

“After the crash in Denmark, I honestly haven’t noticed any bad feelings in the peloton. I’ve spoken to several other riders and nobody said I’d done the right thing but they also said that people make mistakes in sprints. I’ve got to carry on sprinting because it’s my job.”

“It’s always the rider’s fault when there’s a crash. Of course corners makes things more risky but sometimes riders crash even on straight roads.”

“I’m not thinking about if I’m stronger and fresher than Ivan Basso or not. I know that he’s been unlucky this year with crashes and that he might pay for it in the last week. I know my form is good and don’t think I’ll fade in the last week. I’m confident I’ll be fighting for overall victory at the Giro d’Italia with Basso and the other riders.”

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 11: Assisi → Montecatini Terme, 255 km