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Giro d'Italia (2015) Photos; Stage 1: Pre-Race Press Conferences | ||
| « Stage 00 photos | return to: « Giro d'Italia 2015 Dashboard | Giro d'Italia (2015) photo gallery | |
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| Fabio Aru (Astana) Q: "How are you, have you recovered from your illness, and who do you fear?" A: "I hoped to arrive at the Giro d'Italia with the Giro del Trentino in my legs, but unfortunately, in cycling, these things happen. Physical problems are part of the sport. When I realised I was ill, I went to the mountains, and spent 10 days training at altitude with Diego Rosa, Paolo Tiralongo and Dario Cataldo. We did had an intense week. I come into the Giro d'Italia having worked hard since November, with a team that is very motivated. My rivals are hardened stage racers. Alberto (Contador) will be very motivated to do well, (Rigoberto) Urán will be very good in the long time trial, and Richie Porte will also be formidable." | share this photo | |
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| Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) | share this photo | |
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| Q: "Is your team as strong as Tinkoff - Saxo?" A: "I think we are very strong. I wanted to be with them at Trentino but they showed that they could ride hard in my absence. In Catalunya, I rode with almost all of them, and we were always at the front, and it was a very hard race. At Trentino, I could only watch from the sofa, but they were very strong and they rode well. I'm very happy with my team." | share this photo | |
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| Mikel Landa (Astana) | share this photo | |
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| Astana | share this photo | |
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| Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto Soudal), right Q: "How does it feel to come back to the Giro d'Italia, and what is your target?" A: "I'm really happy to come back here after so many years, to the race where it all started (7th in 2008). I have a special bond with Italy because I lived here when I was a bit younger. As for my goal, we have to see day by day, of course, but we have said top 10 to start with, and then we'll see from day to day and from week to week." | share this photo | |
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| Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) Q: "You won the most wins of all the German riders." A: "I've won a lot, but I'm also older than the current riders in Germany. I've won quite a good number of races, but now I want to raise the bar a bit higher." | share this photo | |
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| Rigoberto Uran (EQS) Q: After two second places, what do you hope for at this year's Giro d'Italia? A: I hope I finish second or first, I don't know which. It's important to get on the podium. I have a very good team, and I'll try to do well. | share this photo | |
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| Q: Is the long individual time trial good for you? A: I'm not Tony Martin, but I can ride a good time trial. I hope to do well. The Giro d'Italia doesn't finish with the time trial because the last week is hard, but I hope to gain time during the time trial. | share this photo | |
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| Rigoberto Uran and Tom Boonen (EQS) | share this photo | |
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| Alberto Contador (Astana) | share this photo | |
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| This is a photo that Alberto Contador wants at the end of three weeks | share this photo | |
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| Q: Among your rivals, who do you particularly fear and why? A: In the end, everyone: Richie, Urán and Aru. I think they are all at the same level, because Richie has been incredible at the start fo the season, but Urán and especially Aru have prepared specificially for the Giro d'Italia, and they will have improved on the form they showed in earlier races. I put them all on the same level. | share this photo | |
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| Q: Where do you expect to be attacked. A: No, I think I'll be attacking them! I think that the race will decide what my tactis are, as it unfolds. My strategy will be to attack or to defend depending on the situation. But I think, to start with, I'll have to attack. | share this photo | |
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| Press conference scene for Alberto Contador | share this photo | |
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| Q: What do you think about the long individual time trial, and the Colle delle Finestre, with 8km of dirt roads? A: I have reconnoitred the long individual time trial, and I think you have to pace yourself very well, the whole length of the route, because there are no opportunities for rest. It will be a crucial day, a very important day in the Giro d'Italia. As for the Colle delle Finestre, many things can happen. It could be a day when I ride quietly, on the defensive, or it may be my ally if I have to attack to try and win the Giro d'Italia. I remember it from 2011, and I think it's a beautiful climb, and very hard. We'll see how I have to interpret it when we get there. | share this photo | |
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| Richie Porte (Sky) Q: How has your career changed since the 2014 Tour? A: I got sick at the Tour de France, so there was not much I could do about that. In many ways it was a blessing in disguise. I had to make some tough decisions with my lifestyle as well. I'm happy with my off-season. I was careful with my weight, and professional on and off the bike. It set me up well this year. I've had a dream start to the season but to be honest, this is the race for me. I've spent every training ride since November thinking about this race. | share this photo | |
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| Q: Why is this your dream race? A: I did my amateur time in Italy. I remember watching the race on TV in the team house with Puccio who was my team-mate back then too. It has a lot of significance for me. As a neo pro I was lucky enough to spend a few days in the Maglia Rosa. It allowed me to burst on to the scene a little bit. Those three days were the most incredible days I've ever had on the bike, and it really means a lot to me. | share this photo | |
Giro d'Italia (2015) Photos; Stage 1: Pre-Race Press Conferences | ||
| « Stage 00 photos | return to: « Giro d'Italia 2015 Dashboard | Giro d'Italia (2015) photo gallery | |
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