The Spanish champion “Purito” Rodriguez will be the guest star of the 47th edition of international granfondo Nove Colli – Selle Italia. Purito is Bahrain-Merida of Vincenzo Nibali ambassador. “I’ve always heard about this historical granfondo and the friend Andrea Agostini invited me for years” said Rodriguez “but now I have time and I’m happy to attend it. I can’t wait to start with 12.000 cyclilsts, It will be an unbelievable emotion”.
The Catalan was a great climber, professional from 2001 to 2016. He won around fifty races among which 2 Giro di Lombardia, 1 Fleche – Wallone, 3 stages at the Giro d’Italia, 2 ones at the Tour de France, 10 stages at the Vuelta a Espana. He also got podiums in all the three big stages races, and 1 bronze and 1 silver at the world championships and 3 times the UCI road ranking.
The nickname in the professional peloton Purito, comes from a fact happened in an early season training camp during his first year as a professional with ONCE. When some of his teammates stepped up the pace on a small climb, he passed them making a hand gestureappearing to be smoking a cigar, suggesting he was climbing without much effort. The gesture was not welcomed by his teammates, who made him smoke a real cigar as a hazing ritual later in the evening
Happening
Rodriguez will be available for a photo-shooting and autographs session at the Sportful stand during the Ciclo&Vento expo. The date is for Saturday, 20 May, at 5.00 pm.