MENCHOV TAKES SPECTACULAR WIN AT GIRO

Russian Rabobank team leader scores historic win atop the the Alpe di Suisi

Rabobank’s Denis Menchov clinched a spectacular mountain-top stage win in the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday, a victory that propels the Russian champion to fifth place in the overall classification.

Riding his Giant TCR Advanced SL team bike, Menchov outpowered Danilo Di Luca at the summit of the 25-kilometer Alpe di Siusi climb deep in the Italian Dolomites mountain range. It was the hardest day’s racing in the Giro so far, but Menchov has already proven he is more than capable of handling even the most arduous of stage races.

Already a double winner in the Vuelta a Espana, and fifth in the Giro last year, Menchov has now taken stage wins in all three major stage races—the Giro, the Tour and the Vuelta. Menchov’s victory was his first in a Grand Tour since taking stage 10 in the Vuelta in 2008—also a mountaintop stage win.

The Russian’s victory was also Rabobank’s first ever win in the Tour of Italy—a real landmark in the team’s 14-year history.

“I knew that I was going well and I know that I’m going better than last year,” Menchov said afterward. “I knew today was a very important stage, so I tried to stay with all the other big names on the final climb.

“Then with 350 meters to go, I knew I still had a chance. [Carlos] Sastre went for it first, then [Danilo] Di Luca and I got on his wheel, and then I went for it. I didn’t know the finish, and that could have been a disadvantage, but as things turned out it didn’t matter.”

Asked if it was risky showing his strength so early in the race, Menchov said: “My rivals know me well anyway. Winning a stage is always special, and when it’s there in front of you, just 300 meters away, you can’t hide. Besides, for Rabobank it was important to take their first ever Giro stage win, and I wanted to do that for them.”

Rabobank’s great Giro stage did not end with Menchov, either—his teammate Laurens Ten Dam, riding a major Tour for just the second time on his career, also impressed. Always a factor on the stage, the talented young Dutch rider finished 11th on the stage and is now 14th overall.

But while Ten Dam is showing real promise for the future, Menchov’s great ride in the Dolomites means he has to be considered a real contender for overall victory in the 2009 Giro. But for now he reckons it’s better to be cautious.

“There’s still a long way to go,” Menchov commented. “We’ve only done two key stages. In any case, today was a great win for me, possibly one of the best of my career.”

And after the Giro, will he go for the Tour de France?

“Put it this way, I like the Tour of Italy this year and on top of that it’s the centennial edition. I’ve got two objectives this year. First, I’m thinking about the Giro and I want to do well here. Then I’ll target the Tour.”

“After all, I’ve already proven I can do well in two big Tours in one season. So why not this year as well?”