Roman Kreuziger – Unofficial
“I have to say that I happy with my performance but I feel a little bad about the outcome. I was feeling great and everything went easily. The weather was nice and the wind conditions were the same for everyone,” said Roman who finished as the best Astana´s rider.“Considering that I haven’t raced for a month it wasn´t not so bad. I just hope to be getting better every day to shine in the mountains towards the end of the race. The time trial may have given some indication who the favorites will be but I don’t think it will prove decisive. Klöden won the opening time trial two years ago and then he completely dropped out of the front positions,” Roman said.He believes that the Astana team will show their best qualities. “We have brought a really strong team here and I think it is safe to say that if nothing unexpected happens this line-up will ride with me at this year´s Giro. Kessiakoff, who is now targeting the classics, will complete the line-up.Roman didn’t count on riding the spring classics this year but there has been a change in his race schedule and he is going to participate in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège. “Originally, it wasn’t an item in my race schedule we agreed that I should ride it. I will be a good test towards the long stages at the Giro since the stages here are relatively short. I will certainly work for Vino who won this race last year.”Results of the opening time trial: 1st Klöden (Ger/RadioShack) 15:24, 2nd Malori (Ita/Lampre), 3rd Machado (Por/RadioShack) +8, 4th Nibali (Ita/Liquigas) +9, 5th Ascani (Ita/ D’Angelo&Antenucci) +12, … 14th Roman Kreuziger (Cze/Astana) +27.
