Barloworld's Enrico Gasparotto is keeping his morale high despite feeling tired due to his crash on the first road stage of the 91st Giro d'Italia. The 26 year-old Italian who resides in Varese promises to keep racing until the race's end in Milano, June 1.
"I am tired after a day like yesterday. My legs are not so good, but I must arrive in Milano and then I think I will start to think of the Italian championships in Bergamo," he noted with a grin in Forlì's Piazza Saffi, at the start of stage 12. "I will not do the Tour de France. I will concentrate on the championships and then take a holiday." He would not reveal where he plans to take his well-earned rest.
His season finale will be highlighted by a possible participation in Italy's national team for the World Championships, September 28 in Varese.
"I will start training again for the final part of the season," continued the blonde-haired rider. "I will try to make the Italian team for the World Championships." He noted the day prior that he likes the looks of next Thursday's Giro d'Italia stage 18 to Varese, which consists of two circuits on the parcours that will be used at the Worlds five months later.
For Barloworld this year's Corsa Rosa has been difficult, the team has lost Patrick Calcagni, Francesco Bellotti and Mauricio Soler so far this race, and are down to a skeleton squad for the remaining nine stages.
"For team Barloworld the Giro has not been so good up until now," he confirmed. "We must continue to believe in ourselves, and try for a good result. With a victory our morale would change immediately."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The team is pointing towards its two Englishmen – Steve Cummings and Geraint Thomas – before in the stages leading to Saturday's day in the mountains. "We must try every day. The good thing about cycling is that nothing is written in stone."
