Aprica, 26 May 2015 – Mikel Landa (Team Astana) won the second consecutive stage in the Tour of Italy, arriving alone at the finish in Aprica. The Spaniard has preceded Steven Kruijswijk (Team Lotto NL – Jumbo) and Alberto Contador (Saxo Tinkoff), who thanks to his third place has consolidated its leadership in the overall standings.
The pink jersey, the victim of a puncture, He remained behind because of the resulting attack of Team Katusha and dell’Astana. With the help of his companion Ivan Basso, who gave him a wheel, he resumed promptly, recovering all the disadvantage ramps initial Mortirolo before heading to the counter followed by just Kruijswijk and Landa.
Fabio Aru (Team Astana), reached the finish line in seventh place at 2’52 “behind the winner, was the victim of a mechanical problem while in pursuit of the leading trio after being disconnected on the Mortirolo. The runner is now the Sardinian third place overall, behind fellow Landa.
Steven Kruijswijk, thanks to the points won through the first Mortirolo, now wears the Maglia Azzurra best climber. remain unchanged other meshes: Elia Viviani ( Team Sky), the Red Shirt leader of the points classification and Fabio Aru, White Jersey for best young rider.
THE TIMES OF CLIMBING MORTIROLO (TOP 5)
1 – Alberto Contador (Saxo Tinkoff ) – 45’07 “
2 – Steven Kruijswijk (Team Lotto NL – Jumbo) – 45’56″
3 – Mikel Landa (Team Astana) – 46’00 “
4 – Andre Cardoso (Team Cannondale – Garmin) – 46’35 “
5 – Ryder Hesjedal (Team Cannondale – Garmin) – 46’52″
PRESS CONFERENCE
Mikel Landa (Astana Pro Team), winner of Stage
Q: Tomorrow will Aru to run for you?
R: I do not know yet. I have not seen the overall standings. We have to see how they will be legs. I just know that they are second but do not know their secondments Contador. We’ll see how Fabio recovers: the ideal scenario would be to work together against Contador.
Q: Have you ever thought of attacking the Mortirolo?
A: To tell the truth I was focused on the climb dell’Aprica. When we played the first time there was a side wind, the slopes were not very high and was not my ideal ascent. We tried to force the pace before the Mortirolo to pain Alberto, come and take it would cost him. After Alberto has taken Aru I noticed that she was not well. Then they told me to go and try and win the stage.
Q: If you had not had to work for Aru you could win this Tour of Italy?
A: If I had over as captain I may be that I would not have done absolutely nothing. You never know. Are in a completely new situation, it went how it went and we’ll see how this ends.
Alberto Contador (Saxo Tinkoff), Maglia Rosa
Q: How do you rate your performance in the stage today?
A: I feel proud to have been the protagonist of this stage. It was very complicated. Until my puncture on the descent dall’Aprica everything went perfectly. Basso gave me a wheel but it took time to change it, I found myself in a group of pursuers. I expected at that point a scenario similar to what happened then. I will not argue if it was correct or not.
Q: What do you think of your team today?
A: I think my teammates have been extraordinary. The whole team has been waiting for me and we worked together. My heart rate was 180. In front of the plane were pushing full throttle to open a gate. When I saw that Astana had organized knew starting the Mortirolo with a certain detachment. When we attacked the Mortirolo were generating an incredible number of watts. My team took control of the race from the first day, people often if you forget this.
Q: What were you thinking at the foot of the Mortirolo?
A: The problem is not so start the climb but detached finish the 10 km descent before with a gap to be filled. I knew it would be hard: I missed 45 km during which I could not afford to have mechanical problems or going crisis. It was a challenge and I knew the hard part began. On Mortirolo I cycled to my rhythm. I knew it was a time trial. I could not afford to lose your temper. After I put the wheel Basso I climbed the Mortirolo with 34-30.
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