Contrary to previous indications that he might contemplate participating in the Giro d’Italia, last year’s WorldTour winner, Joaquím Rodriguez now looks likely to forfeit the Italian stage race, and focus entirely on the Tour de France this summer instead. 

His Katusha team has informed Wielerrevue.nl that the Catalan has opted to sit out the Giro and to concentrate instead on the Tour, where he will be supported by Dani Moreno. 

Thus, the Russian rider Denis Menchov will spearhead the Katusha team in the Giro, returning to the race that he won back in 2009. 

Subsequently Menchov has finished second in the 2010 Tour de France and seventh and fifth respectively in the following year’s Giro and Vuelta. He had a quiet season last year but is currently trying to return to his former level of fitness and achievements.