NewsWire: Basso may skip Giro; Nibali stands by tactics; Gilbert ‘severely mentally tired’
Basso may skip Giro d'Italia; Nibali feels no regret over late attack at Liège
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In our daily NewsWire, we bring you a collection of the intriguing stories from newspapers, journals and elsewhere around the world of competitive cycling. Pour your coffee, mute your phone and read on.
Ivan Basso’s Giro d’Italia participation in doubt — Gazet Van Antwerpen
Coming into the 2012 season, Ivan Basso made it clear that the Giro d’Italia would be a major objective. Now, following a distant 22nd at the Giro del Trentino, over eight minutes back, he may not start the race at all.
“If I feel I can not keep fighting for the pink jersey, participation in the Giro has no meaning,” he said. “But I remain optimistic. I have the Tour de Romandie as a stepping stone.”
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Nibali: ‘I was really dead’ — La Dernière Heure
Liquigas-Cannondale’s Vincenzo Nibali may have been the strongest at Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday, but his bold move ended up being just a few kilometers too long for his legs. Despite the fact that he was overtaken by Maxim Iglinsky (Astana) in the finale, the Italian believes his tactics were correct.
“My opponents seemed tired, I told myself that even though it was far from the finish, it was the right time,” he explained, adding, “There was a lot of wind in the finale, especially in Saint-Nicolas. When Iglinsky caught me, I tried to grab his wheel, but my legs could not, I was really dead.”
“But I do not think that I made an error,” he continued. “Because for a chance to win such a race, I must not finish in a small group, there are too many guys quicker than me.
“Normally, I would have been happy with second in such a classic. But, I am disappointed, given my attack and the fact that I failed so close (to the line).”
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Gilbert ‘severely mentally tired’ — De Telegraaf
Philippe Gilbert’s last chance at spring redemption rode away on the Roche aux Faucons on Sunday, and is now yearning only for rest.
“In the first part of the Roche aux Faucons, I had to dig very deep,” he said. “Then I could hardly recover.”
“I said earlier that I had to ride the perfect race. I wanted to come close to victory,” he added. “There are all kinds of reasons I didn’t ride well this spring; the tooth infection, which I may have underestimated, is the main reason.”
Gilbert is still looking forward to his next three goals, though. “The season is not over,” he said after Liège–Bastogne–Liège. “The Tour, the London Olympics, and the world championships in Valkenburg are big goals. Though I am now severely mentally tired and I’m glad I can take some rest.”