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ON THE ROAD WITH GREGOR: RBA MINI-VIEW: DAMIANO CUNEGO
By Gregor Brown in Station des Rousses
July 13, 2010
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Italian Damiano Cunego fired
his first Tour shot on the Croix de la Serra climb. The Lampre-Farnese
Vini rider attacked to follow immediately the move of eventual race
winner Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) and Thomas Voeckler (Bbox Bouygues
Telecom).
Cunego won two stages of the Vuelta a España last year in a similar
attacking style and hopes that he will score his first Tour de France
stage win this year. Unfortunately, he did not have the strength to
follow France's Chavanel, who rode clear on the final climb of Lamoura
Q: Was the Croix de la Serra your day to try for a win?
Damiano: I tried, and everyone was firing off at that moment.
We formed a little group, but I could see right away I did not have that
same spark as Voeckler and Chavanel. Maybe I was too generous with my
pulls on the front while we were trying to move clear of the favourites
group.
I tried to save myself some for the finish, but on the last kilometres, I
just missed that little something, that spark that they had. I am sorry
I could not at least pull off a podium finish.
RBA: If they had the "spark" today, do you believe that you can
find your "spark" in the coming days?
Damiano: It has been since the Giro d'Italia that I have not
raced, besides form the Italian championships, which I raced a week
before the Tour de France. I know, I will continue to develop in this
race and find my 'spark'. Today, though, I had to settle for less.
RBA: Will you maybe have a better chance, more freedom, once the
classification is settled?
Damiano: Yes. Also, when the climbs are a little bit longer and
when the others start to get a little more tired. My resistance is good
and I want to be there at the end of one of the big stages.
RBA: Are you aiming for a particular stage? In the past, you
came close to L'Alpe d'Huez, maybe this year you can try on the
Tourmalet?
Damiano: I am not aiming for a particular stage, but I am
studying the day ahead every night to be prepared. It is important to
know the climbs and the classification, what chance you have being let
free by the overall favourites. Every day is an adventure.
RBA: You have a new baby on the way, "Christian". When will he
arrive?
Damiano: Maybe the 11th, I will want to win a stage for him.
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