Dilemmas and issues for the Giro: which Paret-Peintre? How good is Uijtdebroeks? Italian revelation in top 5?

2 days before the start of the Giro, there are still many unresolved issues. We made calls to find as many answers as possible. Today: the hot topics among the classification men and the climbers.

In the Vuelta last year, Cian Uijtdebroeks (8th) made an impression during his first big tour.

With what ambitions does our 21-year-old compatriot go to the Giro?

“Cian gets a free role in the rankings. But it is difficult to put a position on that,” says sports director Marc Reef.

“Based on the Tirreno, Cian can compete for the top 10 in the Giro. But judging by the Tour of Catalonia, that will be a difficult story.”

Uijtdebroeks quit early in Catalonia due to stomach problems. He then went on to a senior internship, followed by an internship in Denia.

“How good is Cian at the moment? It’s very difficult to put a percentage on that. But he’s ready, that’s the most important thing.”

In Italy they are longing for a new star in the big tours. Perhaps Antonio Tiberi is the long-awaited messiah.

The young Italian from Bahrain-Victorious has already achieved great success this season in the Tour of Catalonia and the Tour of The Alps.

“With Tiberi we are aiming for the top 5 in the Giro. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes on the podium,” sports director Franco Pellizotti sounds ambitious.

The comparison with Vincenzo Nibali is quickly made. “Just like the young Nibali, Tiberi is very ambitious and is not bothered by the pressure that is placed on him.”

“The big difference is that Tiberi is not yet cunning enough in racing. That was like a big weapon from Nibali.”

Caruso is Tiberi’s lieutenant, but will also ride a very strong Giro himself.

Franco Pellizotti (sports director Bahrain-Victorious)

At Bahrain-Victorious they also have old fox Damiano Caruso.

“With all his experience, Caruso will be of vital importance for Tiberi. But Caruso will also try to ride the best possible Giro himself.”

“If Tiberi rides well, it will only be to Caruso’s advantage. He is the last man to stay with Tiberi. And because there is no pressure on Caruso to ride a classification, he will perform even better himself. “

In the Tour de Romandie, 23-year-old German Florian Lipowitz suddenly came to the fore.

The former biathlete came just short of winning the queen stage and finished 3rd on the final podium.

Will we also see Lipowitz shine in the Giro?

“Daniel Felipe Martinez is our only leader for the classification,” says sports director Enrico Gasparotto firmly.

“We don’t want to put pressure on Lipowitz yet. He is young and has great potential, but this is his first major tour.”

Lipowitz is tasked with staying with Martinez as long as possible. “But a lot can happen in 3 weeks. If necessary, we will adjust our strategy if necessary.”

With Martinez we are aiming for the top 5, but he can also finish on the podium.

Enrico Gasparotto (bora-Hansgrohe sports director)

What is the physical readiness of leader Martinez?

“In the Tirreno he had to drop out with knee pain. But after a week that problem was solved. After that, Martinez trained well in Colombia.”

“The goal with Martinez? The top 5 is the most realistic, because he already achieved that 3 years ago. But we hope for the podium.”

Last year, Decathlon-AG2R climber Aurélien Paret-Peintre shot the main bird on the first uphill finish of the Giro.

But there is another Paret-Peintre who could become an interesting pawn in the Giro: Aurélien’s younger brother Valentin Paret-Peintre.

“There are many people who say that I have more talent than Aurélien. And I hope I can prove them right,” laughs Valentin.

In The Tour of The Alps, Valentin was already the best of the 2 brothers 2 weeks ago, with a 4th place in the final classification. Thanks to an altitude internship in Sicily.

“Whether I was in shape too early? We trust that the benefits of the altitude training will last at least 6 weeks, so until the final weekend of the Giro.”

With the level I had in the Tour of The Alps I can win a Giro stage from a long flight.

Valentin Paret-Peintre

But should Valentin Paret-Peintre try to capitalize on that good form in the Giro?

“The ambition is mainly to assist Ben O’Connor in the mountain stages. With Ben we aim for the top 5 or even the podium.”

“I also hope that I will get some chances for a stage victory through breakaways. With the level I had in the Tour of The Alps, I can certainly win a Giro stage from the leading group.”

Final question: which Paret-Peintre should we include in our Giromanager team according to Valentin? “Me of course, you shouldn’t doubt that,” Valentin laughs.

Romain Bardet has the qualities to be a classification rider and stage hijacker.

What is DSM-Firmenich-PostNL’s Giro plan with the Frenchman?

“We are trying to chase a ranking with Bardet,” says sports director Roy Curvers.

“The team is divided in two. There are a number of guys who will support Bardet as best as possible in the mountain stages. Losing time with him is not our plan.”

But it could be that Bardet will turn out to be a stage hunter during the course of the Giro.

“That depends on where he stands in the rankings at a given moment.”

At Jayco-AlUla they have 3 assets for the mountains: Eddie Dunbar, Luke Plapp and Filippo Zana.

But who is the leader?

“On paper, Eddie Dunbar has an advantage over the other riders, because he finished 7th in the Giro last year,” says sports director Valerio Piva.

“Dunbar achieved that 7th place without any specific preparation. This year he focused extra on the Giro during his preparation. The top 10 is the team’s goal.”

What roles will Plapp and Zana play?

“Luke Plapp is a very aggressive rider. Together with Filippo Zana, he will also ride aggressively in the Giro. Stage victories are their goal. And who knows, those riders may make a jump in the rankings thanks to their attacking work.”