Giro d'Italia number 108, the eve of the big players

The Giro d’Italia, which kicks off tomorrow with the 160-kilometer Durazzo-Tirana, saw seven top riders speak at a press conference today. Here are their statements on the eve of the opening stage.

Primoz Roglic: “The Red Bull kilometer is a nice surprise, I hope it’s fun and brings action, but I also hope I don’t have to sprint there at all! It is interesting to race against my former teammate Wout Van Aert. To me he is more than just a runner. He will definitely have his chances in this Giro”.

Wout Van Aert: “We rehearsed the finale of the first stage in Tirana. It was useful to see the climb: it seemed quite hard, with a steep initial climb and then a long descent to the finish. I see a good chance for the attackers to go all the way. We have a very strong team, with riders suited to all types of terrain, there will be opportunities every day. My preparation has not been ideal, but here in Albania I am curious to discover new cultures and new roads”.

Juan Ayuso: “Racing here is different than the Volta Catalunya. The Giro is tougher and longer. I have to be careful every day. Already tomorrow we have an important stage ahead, where you can lose more than you can gain. I hope Saturday’s time trial will go in my favor. At the Vuelta in 2022 and 2023, age might have been a factor, but now, in my fourth Grand Tour, if I collapse in the last week, it will not be because of age”.

Egan Bernal: “I am still fighting with myself to win another Grand Tour. I don&#8217t know if I can still do it or not, but it&#8217s my goal. I know for a fact that I enjoy cycling today more than when I was winning. With the support of the team, I have done really good preparation in the last two weeks. The new design of my national champion jersey recalls the Café de Colombia team of the 1980s and 1990s. It was that jersey that inspired me to become a cyclist, and now I try to do the same with the next generation”.

Thomas Pidcock: “I want to enjoy this Giro and try every day. The opportunities will come if I have this attitude. After the Ardennes Classics I am in good shape. I am looking forward to my first Giro. I have a good relationship with Italy, ever since I won the Giro Next Gen. This year I am doing races I have been dreaming of for a long time, and I am excited to finally have this opportunity”.

Giulio Ciccone: “It will definitely be a nervous day tomorrow. We have a strong team and we will race for Mads [Pedersen]. But we are not the only ones with ambitions, it will be a fast and tight stage. On the climb we have to be ready”.

Richard Carapaz: “When we race on Italian soil, we will face roads I know well, but in Albania it will be all new for me, I still have to discover that environment. Every stage will be important. The finale of the ninth stage in Siena, with the dirt roads we know from the Strade Bianche, is one that can create gaps between the GC men”.