Dario Cataldo showed he can battle with the elite riders in the Giro d’Italia peloton, placing in the top 10 in the 187km stage on Tuesday, on a finish that is usually best for not just the climbers, but the climbers with high end power.
Cataldo finished 8th, 6” back. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha Team) waited until the last meters to launch his attack, with no riders able to match him. He crossed the line for the win with several bike lengths between he and Bartosz Huzarski (NetApp), in 2nd place, and Giovanni Visconti (Movistar), in 3rd place.
“I am happy about the performance of Dario today,” Sports Director Davide Bramati said. “The last climb to Assisi is more for riders with a lot of explosiveness, for example Visconti and Rodriguez. The fact that Dario was there shows he is in great condition and he doesn’t suffer when the pace changes. It’s important. Even the fact now that the team is really around him, everybody is convinced he can do a good result in this Giro. Tomorrow it will be the longest stage of the Giro which is normally a good stage for a breakaway. If there will be a possibility, we will try to go, but first of all we will try to keep Cataldo out of trouble. We are looking forward to the next stages.”
Cataldo remains in 8th place in the GC, 1’03” back. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha Team) now wears the Maglia Rosa, taking it from Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda).
