RABOBANK FIRED UP FOR GIRO D’ITALIA

Mix of veterans, young talent aims for stage wins and a high placing for team leader Denis Menchov

Team Rabobank starts the Giro d’Italia on Saturday with high hopes for their team leader Denis Menchov. The Russian veteran and his Rabobank teammates will ride team issue Giant TCR Advanced SL bikes during the centennial edition of the Giro. The three-week stage race got its start on May 17 a century ago in Milan, and that will be the day that this year’s Giro reaches Milan again.

As befits the centennial edition, Rabobank’s nine riders for the 2009 Giro d’Italia range from their hugely experienced Russian race leader Denis Menchov to their talented young rider Jos Van Emden, the latter making a debut in major stage racing in his first year as a pro.

Also participating for Rabobank is Laurens Ten Dam, who finished 22nd in his first-ever Tour de France last year. Ten Dam will be aiming even higher at his first Giro d’Italia.

Then there’s Maarten Tjallingi, a big fan of getting in the breakaways from the moment the flag drops on each stage, and gifted Colombian climber Mauricio Ardila—the Tour of Britain winner who finished 20th in last year’s Giro.

As for keeping the team together in the flat transition stages, and keeping Menchov well-protected inside the fast-moving peloton, team veterans Bram De Groot and Pedro Horrillo will both play key roles.

Fifth in last year’s Giro, Menchov says his biggest overall objective is to “do as well as in 2008, if not better.”
“Last year I decided to switch from doing the Tour of Spain, which I’ve won twice, to the Tour of Italy, and it was a change that worked well,” Menchov said. “I’ve been to check out the mid-race time trial already, because it’s really long—62 kilometers—and I think it will be really decisive for the whole event. I’m feeling very ambitious, very motivated, and I know I can count on a great team, particularly Laurens. He’s shown he can do a great Tour, and now I’m sure he’ll do a great Giro.”

Rabobank riders are keen to honor the Giro centennial in their own way—by taking a stage win as well as placing Menchov high up on the overall classification.

If they do get that stage win, it’ll be the first Rabobank has ever achieved in the team’s 14-year history at the Giro.

Team Rabobank’s Giro d’Italia roster
141. Denis Menchov (Russia)
142. Mauricio Ardila (Columbia)
143. Laurens Ten Dam (Holland)
144. Jos Van Emden (Holland)
145. Bram De Groot (Holland)
146. Pedro Horrillo (Spain)
147. Dimitry Kozontchuk (Russia)
148. Tom Stamsnijder (Holland)
149. Maarten Tjallingii (Holland)