Dario Cataldo (Quick Step) started this year’s Giro d’Italia with the intention of finishing as high in the overall classification as possible. The 26-year-old finished 31st in the 2009 race, but two years on he knows he can go much better than that. Going into the twentieth stage, the final one in the mountains, Cataldo sits in thirteenth place, but those immediately in front are not out of reach.
“It’s a good Giro,” he told VeloNation just before the stage start in Verbania, “but I was hoping to go in the top ten; this is the last day to do it, and I will attack.”
Cataldo trails last year’s runner up David Arroyo (Movistar) by just 16 seconds, Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) by 44 seconds and Jose Rujano (Androni-Giocattoli-CIPI) by 1’50”. While it might be a little much to expect to take close to two minutes from the climbers on the stage to Sestriere though, the flat time trial in Milan on Sunday gives him a little more hope.
“I think it’s possible,” he said, “and also tomorrow we can also take some time in the crono [time trial – ed].”
The entirely flat course around Milan’s city streets will obviously suit an all-rounder like Cataldo better than the pure climbers that make up much of the top ten.
“This is a good shape for me,” he smiled, “and we’ll try!”