Maarten Vangramberen prefers to stay far away from cycling forecasts, but he makes an exception for our Sporza Giro manager. “I think it’s a shame that Girmay doesn’t fit into my team, because his coach’s wife is my dentist.”
With Tadej Pogacar, Tim Merlier and Olav Kooij, Maarten Vangramberen will not make the difference in his mini competition.
But Michael Woods (€5M) can give him a few hairpins lead.
“Woods comes from athletics, one of my favorite sports. He must be phenomenal have VO2 max, that’s why I’m including him in my team.”
Geraint Thomas (€8M) also gets a place in Maarten’s team. And there are reasons for that.
“He’s Welsh, loves football and drinks beer. He seems like a really nice guy.”
“I hope that I can interview Thomas one day. That would normally happen in the Tour. But the day I was supposed to have him at the Vive le Vélo table, he unfortunately crashed.”
Geraint Thomas has the same passions as Maarten Vangramberen.
Motivated Stuyven
Striking: a quarter of Maarten’s team is Belgian.
“I signed Cian Uijtdebroeks (€7M) and Mauri Vansevenant (€5M) because I am a fan of Belgians who will show themselves.”
“I am taking Jasper Stuyven (€4M) to encourage him. It is super chic that he is participating in the Giro after that heavy fall. He will be motivated anyway.”
Girmay’s coach is one of my best friends.
Maarten Vangramberen
Maarten would also have loved to include Biniam Girmay (€7M) in his star team.
“Because his coach Frederik Veuchelen is one of my best friends. Frederik’s wife is the dentist of Jan Bakelants, the mother of Thibau Nys and myself, among others.”
“There are plenty of reasons to select Girmay. But he simply does not fit into my team.”
Maarten Vangramberen’s selection.
Tags: Maarten Vangramberens Sporza Giro manager choose Belgians show
