Giro d'Italia overall classification race hots up in final week

Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) goes into the Giro d'Italia's final mountainous run with a slim 30-second lead over Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda). It's an uncomfortable advantage given the race ends with a time trial, which suits his rival.

The 33-year-old Spaniard has placed fourth in the Vuelta a España and Giro d'Italia, and ninth in the Tour de France. Two years ago when the Tour finished on the Col du Tourmalet, the two rivals proved equally matched on the climbs and finished side-by-sided.

Rodriguez is "always the same, he's always classy and beautiful on the bike," Hesjedal's key helper, Christian Vande Velde told Cycling Weekly. "Most of the guys in the top of the GC look good so it's just going to be who has a good day or who has a bad day, what the weather is like, if it's cold or raining."

Asked about his weaknesses, Vande Velde noted the time trials and longer climbs.

"He needs to make his gap bigger in the mountains, if it stays how it is, Hesjedal is the big favourite for the final victory," Katusha sports director, Valerio Piva told Cycling Weekly.

"Joaquin, on paper, should be suited to these next days, but you never know, you could have an accident or health problems. These guys are all on their limits and the weather is not at its best. Tomorrow, we will see who can win the Giro or not and who is able to make the difference."

The 17th stage tomorrow climbs the Passo Valparola, the Passo Duran and the Passo Giau. It's the first of three high-mountain stages after yesterday's rest day, the final being the finish to the Stelvio Pass on Saturday.

Hesjedal "placed seventh in the Tour, but I don't think he was always with the best climbers," added Piva. "He's here to fight to the end. He fights every day, you think he's dropped and he's still there. I think that's his strong side. But in the steeper part of the climb, he has his limits."

At the finish today, the Canadian was cool and clear about his plans. He said, "I'm just doing my thing and that's it."

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Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage schedule

Giro d'Italia 2012: Stage reports

Stage 15: Rabottini takes tough win in Giro

Stage 14: Amador wins Giro's first high mountain stage as Hesjedal reclaims lead

Stage 13: Cavendish makes it three

Stage 12: Bak attacks to win

Stage 11: Ferrari wins Giro stage on ride to redemption

Stage 10: Rodriguez wins thrilling finale to take leadStage nine: Ventoso wins in Frosinone as Goss and Cavendish fall

Stage eight: Pozzovivo takes another Giro win

Stage seven: Hesjedal moves into Giro lead

Stage six: Rubiano solos to epic Giro stage win

Stage five: Cavendish bounces back for another stage win

Stage four: Garmin-Barracuda win TTT to take lead

Stage three: Goss wins in Horsens as Cavendish and Phinney crash

Stage two: Cavendish wins in Herning

Stage one: Phinney wins time trial

Giro d'Italia 2012: Photo galleries

Stage 15 photo gallery

Stage 14 photo gallery

Stage 13 photo gallery

Stage 12 photo gallery

Stage 11 photo gallery

Stage 10 photo gallery

Stage nine photo gallery

Stage eight photo gallery

Stage seven photo gallery

Stage six photo gallery

Stage five photo gallery

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

Giro d'Italia 2012: Blogs

Charly Wegelius' Giro blog: Conserving energy for the final week

Charly Wegelius' Giro blog: Holding on to the lead

Charly Wegelius' Giro blog: Getting the team time trial right

Giro moto blog: Hurray for rest day

Giro moto blog: Stage 10

Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders

Giro d'Italia 2012 start list

Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide

Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule

Related links

Giro d'Italia 2012: The Big Preview

Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia section