Cunego undecided about the Tour

Damiano Cunego, who finished fourth in the Giro d'Italia, said that he has not made his mind up about whether to compete in the Tour de France, which starts in one month. "At the moment, I see my chances of doing the Tour as 50 percent," said Cunego to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "In June, I will not take part in any official engagements, also cancelling my presence at the Italian championships at the end of the month in Gorizia."

Cunego was satisfied with his Giro performance, where he finished 18'16 behind Ivan Basso in the general classification, but still good enough for fourth. "From the start in Belgium, with a Basso in exceptional form, I had estimated the possibility of finishing within a quarter of an hour of him in the general classification. Ivan is almost 29 years old, Gutierrez Cataluna and Simoni are over 30: I am not even 25. There's still a big gap in maturity as an athlete. Honestly, I couldn't do more, and even to win a stage proved to be difficult.

"The stimuli to improve to compete against these riders is strong. Two years ago, the surprise factor helped me, now I want to work to also become a factor in the classics. The third place in Liege-Bastogne-Liege in April was important in that sense and I already gave a good sign by winning the Giro di Lombardia."

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