Speaking to the media before the start of the race, our rider shared his goals and expectations for the first Grand Tour of the year.
2024 is Julian Alaphilippe’s 11th season in the pro ranks and one which will mark a first for the charismatic Frenchman: his debut in the Giro d’Italia, the only Grand Tour he’s never ridden in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey. One of the most successful riders of our times, with a palmares that includes two World Champion titles, Milano-Sanremo, Strade Bianche, a hat-trick of La Flèche Wallonne successes and multiple Grand Tour stages, Alaphilippe is looking forward to this fresh challenge, which gets underway on Saturday.
“The shape is good. I didn’t go on an altitude training camp, but I did a strong Tour de Romandie at the end of April, which was important for my preparation. I felt that I’ve improved there day by day. We’ll see how things go during the Giro, but I want to give my best so I don’t have any regrets. It would be great to get a win and complete the collection of stage victories in all Grand Tour, but I know it won’t be easy.”
The first weekend is one of the hardest of a Grand Tour in recent memory. On Saturday, the riders will take on several climbs, including a steep one featuring some nasty double-digit gradients just a few kilometers from the finish in Torino. Twenty-four hours later, the race schedules its first summit finish on the Santuario de Oropa, which can have quite a big impact on the general classification.
Both stages come with a bonus – the iconic pink jersey – but Julian prefers not to think about this, and instead, take it one day at a time and see what the race brings.
“My first focus will be on the opening stage, which will be a good opportunity for me to see where I am at the start of the race. We did a recon the other day and it will be a hard and nervous stage. I know there is a chance for me to be in contention for the maglia rosa on Saturday and wearing it would be a dream, but it will be very difficult as there are a lot of strong riders who can be in the mix there. I am motivated and confident and I hope for a good Giro together with my Soudal Quick-Step teammates”, added the 31-year-old Julian.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
