Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 19: Treviso → Alpe di Pamepago, 198 km

“I was going to wait before attacking but then Cataldo attacked and so I went with him. While I was with him I managed to share the work but then when I was on my own and then in the last two kilometres, it was really hard. I only started to think I had a chance of victory in the last two hundred metres and that’s when I gave it absolutely everything.”

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 19: Treviso → Alpe di Pamepago, 198 km

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 18: San Vito Cadore → Vedelago, 139 km

Guardini said: “I’m still very young and I’ve got to develop a lot as a rider. I’ve really suffered on the climbs in this Giro d’Italia but 198 riders started the Giro and now there’s only 168 left. That proves something.”

“During the first week of the Giro d’Italia I didn’t believe in myself enough. I’d been struggling in the sprints and things hadn’t been going my way. I knew this sprint was the last chance I had. I knew it suited me because it was so flat. I knew my chance was today or that I’d have to wait until next year. I knew I could beat Cavendish but I knew I had to jump first and by doing that today, I’ve realised what I can do.”

“The difference between winning this sprint and winning one after 250km of racing all comes down to experience. A few years ago Cavendish struggled on the climbs and he’s amazing, as he proved by winning Milano-Sanremo at the first attempt and at my age. I think I’m a similar kind of sprinter as Cavendish but my idol was Robbie McEwen who retired a few days ago.”

“Milano-Sanremo is the race of my dreams but I know I’ve still got to work a lot to have a chance to win it. Milano-Sanremo is a long term goal.”

“I hope that Hesjedal has a bad day on the hard climbs that we’re going to face. Everyone thinks he’ll crack but I’m not so sure. Of course, if I feel good, I’ll try to do something. We’ll tackle the last climb at 15km/h; Hesjedal weighs 70kg, while I’m only 58kg and so the climb suits me better.”

“I’m confident in my team. Losada and Danni (Moreno) are both good climbers and will be with me till the end. It’s not up to us to make the race. If anything, it’s up to Liquigas to do it.”

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 18: San Vito Cadore → Vedelago, 139 km

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 17: Falzes → Cortina d'Ampezzo, 187 km

Post-race Rodriguez said: “I didn’t need to win the stage to show I’m strong. I did well throughout the stage. Today I was on good form even if I wasn’t better than Basso. I think he was especially strong on the climb and I think we’ve got to congratulate him on his performance too.”

“I’m happy with how my teammates performed. Danny (Moreno) was dropped on the last climb and (Alberto) Losada was there with me till the last minute. When there are a lot of attacks, its up to us (team leaders) to move. I felt protected with Losada and Daniel with me for most of the stage.”

“If Hesjedal stays with us, then the Giro d’Italia is his. I hope he cracks and I’ll do everything I can to make him crack. But Ryder is strong. We’ll see what happens in the final stages. But if someone wins because they’re stronger than you, you can only congratulate them.”

Rodriguez raced with a black ribbon on the sleeve of his jersey to remember fellow Spain rider Xavier Tondo, who died exactly a year ago today.

“It’ll remember him for the rest of my life, not just today. I don’t like to talk about him in public because I prefer to remember him privately. I knew Xavier as a child, while other people other talk about him but they never really knew him. I don’t like to talk about him. It’s a thing I keep inside my heart.”

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 17: Falzes → Cortina d'Ampezzo, 187 km

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 16: Limone sul Garda → Falzes, 174 km

Giro d'Italia (2012) Photos; Stage 16: Limone sul Garda → Falzes, 174 km