Vasili Kiryienka of the Movistar team made clear from the beginning of today's 242-kilometer stage from Verbania to Sestriere that he wanted to be in the break of the day. He was happy to have some company, but when the final two climbs of this year's Giro were reached, he took off solo. Kiryienka crossed the line with his arms raised, and his fingers pointing towards the sky. The gesture was in memory of a teammate who tragically died on May 23rd. "I dedicated this victory to Xavier Tondo, who was a good teammate," Kiryienka said in Sestriere. "I got to know him better during the classics, like Liege-Bastogne-Liege."
Kiryienka remembered Tondo's attitude. "He loved cycling, he loved suffering and he loved winning. The dedication today was the best way to remember him." Kiryienka had the legs for a good result. "I was happy to be the one who made it because the whole team wanted to pay tribute to him. That is why we stayed in the Giro and why the other part of the team stayed with his family." Kiryienka was very emotional when he talked about Tondo.
The Movistar rider said that his exploit in the mountains is not a surprise, even with his track upbringing. "I became world champion on the track in the points race. In the sprint I was always in second, third or fourth place. I have pretty good endurance and in the last years I improved my performances uphill." He felt very confident ahead of the Giro. "I came here for the general classification, but in the stage to Gardeccia/Val di Fassa I really suffered." Today was better for the Belorussian, who felt fine - and aggressive - right from the beginning. "I did what my team wished for," he said.
Kiryienka used to live in Italy, but has moved on to Spain. "I did enjoy Italy but it was too much of a chaos," he said with a smile. "In Pamplona it is easier for me. In the beginning it felt a little bit lonley - I'd like to move my family here." He has a son and a daughter. "My son is just beginning to walk. After the Giro I will head back to Belorussia, to be with my family and to prepare for the Tour de France."
When he lived in Italy, he was in Bergamo. "I lived there with my friend Kanstantin Sioutsou, who is doing a very good Giro - congratulations to him."
Kiryienka won stage 20 today, and stage 19 of the 2008 Giro. He has a simple explanation for staying in form throughout a Grand Tour. "I am almost 30 and it is a question of endurance. I am also a trainer, I have some knowledge about biochemistry and I know how my body responds."