Riders look for revenge at Giro di Lombardia

MILAN (AFP) — At least three of the world’s top one-day classics riders could be forgiven for having a degree of revenge on their minds when they line up for Giro di Lombardia (Tour of Lombardy) on Sunday.

The Italian classic, one of five one-day Monuments popularly known as the “Race of the Falling Leaves,” traditionally signals the end of the one-day racing season in Europe ahead of the autumn months.

For Spaniards Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), however, it offers a chance to atone for missing out being crowned the world road race champion in Florence last week.

All three riders were in contention to win cycling’s coveted rainbow jersey at the end of a hilly 272.2 kilometers, during which incessant rain wiped out the entire British team and made for a truly epic race.

However a crash by Nibali, combined with confusing tactics by the Spaniards, gave Rui Costa (Movistar) the chance to become Portugal’s first world road champion and he took it with both hands, pipping Rodriguez at the line.

The glum faces worn by Rodriguez and Valverde on the podium mirrored the depth of their feelings but the inquest into why Spain failed to come up trumps is not over.

Rodriguez, widely known by his nickname “Purito” (little cigar), is still bitter after Valverde failed to counter Costa’s late attack which snuffed his hopes out in stunning fashion.

“When the world title slips from your fingers like that, you can’t forget it so easily,” Rodriguez told Marca.com earlier this week.

“We had the legs to win and were staring victory in the face, but even though Alejandro and I were the strongest we still failed to win.”

Rodriguez last year became Spain’s first Lombardy champion and despite the likelihood of being closely marked, he will saddle up as a favorite.

Lombardy’s prize does not come with the rainbow stripes associated with the world champion but it could help Rodriguez, and others, get over last week’s disappointment.

Starting in Bergamo, the 242km race takes in five climbs, some of which are formidably steep, while racing on narrow, twisting roads before ending on a 120-meter long home straight.

Rodriguez could have extra motivation in that a victory or second place, coupled with Britain’s Chris Froome (Sky) scoring no points, would give him the lead on the WorldTour.

But the Spaniard, currently with an 80-point deficit on the Tour de France champion, seems more intent on erasing the memory of last week’s blow.

“Even if I didn’t win the WorldTour, victory in Lombardy would help get rid of this nasty taste,” Rodriguez added.

Among those left sore by seven hours of suffering in horrendous conditions last week was Nibali, who last came close to the Lombardy podium when he finished fifth in 2010.

Nibali deserved more than a fourth-place finish last Sunday after battling back into contention following a late crash, and the Astana team leader is expected to be among the contenders.

Another Italian, however, has his eye on a race the hosts won eight years in succession before Belgium’s Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) secured the first of his two consecutive wins in 2009.

Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) showed good form while supporting Nibali last week but will look for teammate Diego Ulissi to do likewise on Sunday, four days after Ulissi won the Milan-Turin semi-classic.

All of them, meanwhile, may be keeping an eye on Costa. Amid emotions that are still fresh post-worlds, he will put his new rainbow jersey on display for the first time.

As if Rodriguez needed any further inspiration, he will line up alongside Valverde.