May 14/12 10:59 am - Giro d'Italia: Stage 9, another day for Hesjedal in pink

Posted by Editoress on 05/14/12
 

Spain’s Francisco Ventoso (Movistar Team) avoided a late crash to win stage nine of the Giro d’Italia in Frosinone.

While other riders slid out on the last corner, Ventoso sprinted to victory. Italy’s Fabio Felline (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) was second and compatriot Giacomo Nizzolo (Radioshack Nissan Trek) was third.

Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda) retained the race leader’s pink jersey for another day.

Ventoso said: “I came to the Giro to win a stage. I’m very happy and content to have done it. We’ve got a teammate (Benat Intxausti Elorriaga –currently fifth) who is going for overall success. Now we’ll try and protect him and think about the last week of the race.”

Asked about the crash on the last corner, Ventoso said: “I think the crashed happened for several reasons: some riders don’t study the map, everyone wants to win and then we’re all under pressure to win. In Herning and Horsens I was further back because I didn’t want to risk too much. Unfortunately that’s how the sprints are these days.”

“I don’t think the crashes are caused by young riders taking too many risks. It’s about the ProTour points and there isn’t a team able to line out the peloton. We all take risks. Today I was a little bit lucky and things went my way.”

“It’s impossible to do every sprint on a straight five kilometre road. The corner wasn’t dangerous today. It’s up to us riders to think about what we do and use our heads. I think it was one of the riders who made a mistake.”

Hesjedal: “I did the sprint because I wanted to stay out of trouble on the last climb in the final corners. I stayed on the left and got the best line. They crashed right in front of me; a lot of the other guys had problems, and so that’s why I was seventh.”

Asked if he can go on to win the Giro d’Italia, Hesjedal said: “I’m here to do my best and will do that day by day. We’ll see what happens at the end of the race. It’s a big ask and there are a lot of proven riders here. It’s not something to focus on now. I’m already pleased with what I’ve accomplished. I’ll carry that on and see where I finish in Milan.”

“I’m not concerned about the finish in Assisi (on Tuesday) or for the rest of the stage. The climb up to the finish is not so long. There’s the time bonus and so if Rodriguez wins the stage or gets second, then he can get the lead but we’ll see what happens”.

Hesjedal will wear the race leader’s pink jersey during Tuesday’s 186km tenth from Civitavecchia near Rome to Assisi in Umbria.

Giro d'Italia press release

More Photos

Results from today's Giro d'italia in Italy