Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 17: Falzes → Cortina d'Ampezzo, 187 km

Post-race Rodriguez said: “I didn’t need to win the stage to show I’m strong. I did well throughout the stage. Today I was on good form even if I wasn’t better than Basso. I think he was especially strong on the climb and I think we’ve got to congratulate him on his performance too.”

“I’m happy with how my teammates performed. Danny (Moreno) was dropped on the last climb and (Alberto) Losada was there with me till the last minute. When there are a lot of attacks, its up to us (team leaders) to move. I felt protected with Losada and Daniel with me for most of the stage.”

“If Hesjedal stays with us, then the Giro d’Italia is his. I hope he cracks and I’ll do everything I can to make him crack. But Ryder is strong. We’ll see what happens in the final stages. But if someone wins because they’re stronger than you, you can only congratulate them.”

Rodriguez raced with a black ribbon on the sleeve of his jersey to remember fellow Spain rider Xavier Tondo, who died exactly a year ago today.

“It’ll remember him for the rest of my life, not just today. I don’t like to talk about him in public because I prefer to remember him privately. I knew Xavier as a child, while other people other talk about him but they never really knew him. I don’t like to talk about him. It’s a thing I keep inside my heart.”

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 17: Falzes → Cortina d'Ampezzo, 187 km