Rodríguez to lead Caisse d'Epargne at Giro de Lombardia

Spaniard Joaquím Rodríguez will lead the Caisse d'Epargne team in the Giro di Lombardia Saturday, October 17. He is a favourite after his third place behind winner Cadel Evans in the World Championships two weeks ago.

Rodríguez won a stage in the Tirreno-Adriatico and Vuelta a Burgo, and finished second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège this year. He achieved his best result, 20th, in the Giro di Lombardia in 2004. Last year he placed 28th.

Rui Costa, Imanol Erviti, Vasil Kiryienka, Pablo Lastras, Alberto Losada, Daniel Moreno, Rigoberto Uran will support Rodríguez. Australian Neil Stephens will direct the team.

The 103rd Giro di Lombardia starts in Varese and finishes in Como, 242 kilometres. The Madonna di Ghisallo, Civiglio and San Fermo climbs come in the final 60 kilometres and will help decide the race.

Rodríguez ends four years with Caisse d'Epargne with Giro del Piemonte Thursday, Giro di Lombardia and the Japan Cup October 25. He signed a contract earlier this year to join Russian team Katusha for 2010.