Astana Cycling Team

Today there has been the press conference organized by RCS before the start of the Giro d'Italia, with few riders guest: Cadel Evans, Ivan Basso, Damiano Cunego, Gilberto Simoni, Stefano Garzelli, Carlos Sastre and Alexander Vinokourov.
Here are the answers of the Kazakh leader for the team Astana to the press inquiries:

What is your goal in the Giro in 2010?

I'm here to ride on the Giro for the first time, I think it can bring me a good experience. The legs are there, the motivation too, but we will see day after day, without pressure.

After your victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, do you feel more confident for the Giro, or you're just there to get ready before the Tour de France?

It's hard to judge a race on one day over a three-week race. I currently have a good physical condition, my legs are ready but the last steps will be very hard with very steep climbs. Today, my first objective is to win a stage and wear the pink jersey during few days, but not necessarily the final victory of the Giro.

Why back from your suspension of 2 years you have been invited for the Giro, while Ricco in the same situation can not participate?

I think I showed in the Tour of Trentino that I have good legs. But, I am not the person who decides, it is the organizer and perhaps the UCI. Whatever, if he had been there he would have been a serious opponent for all of us.