Winner of the 15th stage of theGirod’Italia,23-year-old Fabio Aru of the Astana Team finished third overall in the prestigious race.
The winner of the172 km final stage (21) of theGirod’Italia 2014 was Nairo Quintana, the first Colombian to win the Girod’Italia. His countryman Rigoberto Uranfinished second.
“Quintana deserved to win the Giro. He was very strong on his climbs and we can only congratulate him,” Aru said.
“I agree. He deserved to win,” Uran said. “I’ve always said that whoever wins,deserves to win with or without the climbs. The same thing would have happened, there’s nothing more to say about it.”
Aru has been at the centre of media attention since winning stage 15 after his attack in the climbs at Montecampione and the huge effort he exertedthat led him to finish a close second behind Quintana in the Cima Grappa time trial.
He has been suggested as a possible rival for teammate and fellow Italian Vincenzo Nibali. Aru was quick to play down reports of any rivalry, at least for now.
“We’re teammates, we get along really well and I’ve learned a lot from him and I’m sure I’ll learn more from him in the future,” Aru said.
“I don’t have much experience and just try to do as well as possible. I’m satisfied with my results at the Giro,” he continued.“Honestly, I wasn’t feeling very optimistic about this Giro, I was surprised to find myself up there fighting with the best. I gave my all but I kept my feet on the ground because I didn’t know my limits.”
“The burden of many more expectations will be placed upon my back, but I hope that these challenges will give me the pride and determination to do as well as possible,” he said.“My abilities developed gradually before I turned 23; it took me three seasons to win my first title. Winning has given me the determination to train hard and live a life of sacrifice. Cyclists need to be constantly hungry. I’ve got a lot to learn and will sooner or later have to prove all of it.”
