Eurosport commentator Vanbelleghem about Giro: “Every day a chance for Dutch or Belgian success”

Interview Besides the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, it is his favorite race of the year. Eurosport commentator Jeroen Vanbelleghem simply loves the Giro d’Italia. In the run-up to this first big round of the year CyclingFlits with the Belgian racing enthusiast about his expectations. Which stages offer spectacle and from which Dutch and Belgian riders can we expect success?

Although we will see fewer long stages this year, this does not necessarily have to be a bad thing, according to Vanbelleghem. “Okay, maybe it’s the character of the Giro, but we still get to see four stages of more than 200 kilometers and some that come close to that. We saw last year in those endless mountain stages that there is actually little spectacle and nothing happens because riders fear what is to come.”

“But shorter rides is a bit of a trend in current cycling,” the Flemish continues. “The Vuelta actually started it, with short and explosive stages. The Tour was followed, and with success. Now the Giro will also follow suit. Because they may have also realized that – and I say this as a super fan of the Giro – it was the least attractive grand tour.” Vanbelleghem does note that the type of classification men and the bad weather also played a role in this.

This year, fans of the Italian competition are especially looking forward to the opening weekend around Turin. “It’s the toughest opening weekend in a Grand Tour that I can remember. The start in the Basque Country in the Tour was also tough, but we still saw a large group at the front there on both days. We won’t see that this time with the uphill finish on day two. But the first day is also extremely difficult. So that will be very interesting.”

Furthermore, Vanbelleghem is looking forward to the twelfth stage. “That is the Tirreno-Adriatico stage to Fano with many walls. They are not very steep, but first and foremost you will enjoy the beautiful pictures. Olav Kooij certainly has a chance, but Jonathan Milan should also be able to do that if you look at his spring. Furthermore, a good Julian Alaphilippe should also be one of the fastest to the line. So a lot of types can win there.”

The commentator would describe the third week as ‘no longer inhuman’. “That was the case in previous years. There are currently no multiple stages of more than 200 kilometers with more than 5,000 meters of elevation gain. So it is a little less extreme and I think that is good,” he says.

Finally, Vanbelleghem is looking forward to the two time trials, although he knows what his co-commentator Karsten Kroon thinks about that. “Karsten doesn’t like time trials at all, but I do. I like numbers and measuring differences. The first time trial in particular will be fun with a climb at the end. I wonder whether Pogacar can make enough of a difference compared to Filippo Ganna. The second flat time trial is normally always a prey for Ganna. Although I also expect a lot from Magnus Sheffield, he wants to score in the run-up to the Olympic Games.”

General classification
According to Vanbelleghem, there is only one real favorite for the final victory. “If Tadej Pogacar doesn’t fall or get sick, he will win the Giro. But after Pogacar you have nothing in terms of classification men for a long time and then you have a large group of riders fighting for the podium. Perhaps Geraint Thomas is among them.”

“Cian Uijtdebroeks is one of those riders from that large group of contenders. He already finished eighth in the Vuelta last year, so I am very curious about that. He could finish third, but also eleventh. Those riders behind Pogacar are simply very close to each other in terms of level,” the Eurosport voice points out.

“The same applies to Thymen Arensman,” Vanbelleghem continues. “He has of course already achieved more than Uijtdebroeks and has a good time trial. So if Arensman ever wants to finish on the podium in a grand tour, this Giro with the two time trials is a great opportunity. So I rate Arensman a little higher than Uijtdebroeks.”

Chances of ride success
In addition to opportunities for the Low Countries in the general classification, the Flemish commentator also sees opportunities for stage victories. “Last year there were twelve stages for the escapees. I think that can also happen this year, because Pogacar allows some flights to arrive at the Tour as fresh as possible.” For these transition stages, Vanbelleghem expects opportunities for Quinten Hermans and the ‘underestimated’ Timo Kielich.

Mauri Vansevenant made a good impression during the Ardennes classics – photo: Cor Vos

“I also expect a lot from Mauri Vansevenant,” he continues. “He was very good in the Ardennes classics and can compete well into the finals of mountain stages.” Regarding Dutch stage success, Vanbelleghem had hoped for Wout Poels. “It’s a shame that he is not there, because he is normally also a rider who would compete for a victory in the mountain stages.”

“Actually, Kooij is the Dutchman I expect the most from,” says Vanbelleghem. “That’s because you have a number of stages that are filled with a slope in the final, which is at the limit for some sprinters. But Kooij almost always gets over it. So I think he really has a great chance to ride a beautiful Giro.”

This year the Giro d’Italia can again be followed completely and exclusively in the Netherlands via Eurosport and discovery+. In addition, prior to the broadcasts, there is a look ahead and after the finish there is an extensive look back in the Head over Headstudio, with analyzes by former cyclists Bobbie Traksel and Jip van den Bos.