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Hushovd hoping to wear the maglia rosa

By Cycling News

published 4 May 2012

Norweigan still chasing Giro victory in his own right

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Former World champion Thor Hushovd (BMC)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Thor Hushovd (BMC Racing Team)(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)

Thor Hushovd (BMC) at the Tour of Flanders(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Thor Hushovd wearing the rainbow jersey he won in 2010(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Thor Hushovd (Team BMC)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

BMC's Thor Hushovd remains optimistic when it comes to his chances at the Giro d'Italia.

Hushovd: BMC is stronger than Garmin

Hushovd confirmed for both Giro d'Italia and Tour de France

Boasson Hagen sees Hushovd's absence as advantage in Milan-San Remo

Hushovd out of Volta a Catalunya due to illness

Hushovd disappointed with Tour of Flanders performance

Hushovd rode out Paris-Roubaix “in pure defiance”

The Norweigan is still eyeing his first victory of the 2012 season with a fifth placing on the seventh stage of Paris-Nice his best showing to date.

The 34-year-old is yet to cross the finish line first at the Giro d'Italia, but was posthumously awarded stage 7 in 2007 after Milram's Alessandro Petacchi who was stripped of his victory for an irregular salbutamol test later in the race.

"The Giro d'Italia has never been a big goal for me, and this year is more complicated due to the Tour de France and Olympics," he said at the BMC pre-race press conference. "I will try to limit the loss of time as possible on the first day and be with so that the pink jersey is within reach in the coming days.

"But there is still a dream and a goal to be first across the finish line on a stage in the Giro d'Italia. And since I wear so much pink, I would like to wear the jersey once or twice."

"I have not prepared me as well this time and this is due simply that I have not had time for that after Paris-Roubaix," he said. "But I've put in a few quality sessions and feel safe and confident on the bike pace. It is very important."

Hushovd crashed during Paris-Roubaix, just as eventual winner Tom Boonen launched his attack on the race, effectively ending any chance the BMC recruit had.