Roman Kreuziger - Team Liquigas

I messed up

Wed March 24, 2010, 22:20

The third stage of the Tour of Catalan mixed up the general classification more than expected. Some of the favorites lost while Rodriguez with Tondo pulled off a successful breakaway. Roman finished in the 16th position 1:20 min behind the winner and he is now eighth overall.

"When Rodriguez and Tondo attacked on the climb with fifty kilometers to go I was near them. I could have closed the gap on them but I thought it would be a stupid move. I had four guys from our team at hand, some other strong riders were around too, so I told myself we'd easily chase them down. But unfortunately, almost everybody was worn out at that point. The stage profile had shown only minor hills but eventually, we were faced with some 3600 climbing meters and not a single flat stretch. I don’t want to make any excuses. I just messed up, it was my fault. I think Rodriguez will keep the lead, he is in good shape, which he proved at the Paris-Nice. I might have lost the podium but I'm not giving up. I will try to figure something out tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," Roman said. 
3rd stage (186 km): 1st Tondo (Spa/Cervélo), 2nd J. Rodriguez (Spa/Katush) , 3rd L. Sanchez (Spa/Caisse d’Epargne) +48, 4th Casar (Fra/FDJ), 5th Kreder (Ned/Garmin), ... 16th Roman Kreuziger (Cze/Liquigas-Doimo) +1:20.  
Overall: 1st Rodriguez 9:04:12, 2nd Tondo +10, 3rd L. Sanchez +48, 4th Roche (I./AG2R), 5th Koren (Slo/Liquigas), 6th Hesjedal (Can/Garmin), 7th Taaramae (Est/Cofidis) +1:20, 8th Roman Kreuziger +1:22.

This article is also translated :
Protaktizoval jsem to
Giro di Catalogna: dopo la terza tappa Roman è ottavo in classifica generale - Translated by: A&J Sport as Image