Poised for pink: Amador is Movistar’s plan B

If Alejandro Valverde is Movistar’s outright leader, the Spanish outfit also has another card to play in the Giro d’Italia with Costa Rican all-rounder Andrey Amador.

Fourth overall last year behind Alberto Contador, the Central American is taking aim at the final podium in Torino while at the same time helping Valverde win the pink jersey. Possible? Amador believes it is.

“I come here very motivated,” Amador told the Spanish daily AS. “We count on one of the strongest and most consistent leaders in the peloton with Valverde, and I take pride working for him. I will back his options for three weeks, and I will also play a second card for the Movistar team.”

That “Plan B” is already apparent in the opening days of the Giro. Amador blasted to the third-fastest time in the opening time trial, just 6 seconds slower than winner Tom Dumoulin of Giant – Alpecin. Marcel Kittel of Etixx – Quick-Step carried the pink jersey into Italy thanks to time bonuses that came with winning the first two road stages, but Tuesday’s bumpy stage presents an interesting opportunity for Amador.

Kittel and the other pure sprinters are likely to get dropped over a string of steep hills in the final hour of racing of the 200-kilometer fourth stage to Praia a Mare. The final climb, though un-rated, …

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