Video

De la Parte, Fernández, Pedrero and Valls complete our look at what's coming up from this weekend at the 'Corsa Rosa', in the protagonists' voices.

PART ONE (Video + Reaction) | Betancur, Carapaz, Quintana, Sepúlveda

VÍCTOR DE LA PARTE (profile)

“After the Vuelta al País Vasco, I spent almost 20 days training in altitude in Colombia, and then came back to Europe to suffer a little bit and gain racing pace at the Vuelta a Asturias, just before the Giro. I first raced here last year and I really loved the event. It’s got impressive fans, a beautiful atmosphere, everyone’s more excited since it’s the first Grand Tour of the race, it’s also a tough one and the biggest stage race contenders are coming here lately.

“It’ll be a different Grand Tour for us – we might as well be a bit disoriented because we’re used to bring a big leader, someone who’s in a position to win the race. Our role will be diverse this time: we’re taking chances, we’re riding offensive, trying to get the team to the front. It should be a beautiful Giro, very demanding especially on the final week, and not having a big leader, we must go day-by-day and seek for everyone’s opportunities, one rider at a time. We’re a strong group even if there are so many youngsters. I feel like we can do well.”

RUBÉN FERNÁNDEZ (profile)

“After getting over my injury, I headed to Sierra Nevada to train and rest in altitude for a few weeks, starting to build up a solid form before the spring. I got back to racing at the Klasika Primavera, then competed at Castilla y León with quite better feelings, and at the Vuelta a Asturias I saw my legs were already at really good condition.

“I’m not putting any goals on my performance at this Giro. My real objective here is finding the form I’ve not able to achieve since 2016. I’m sure I can get to that fitness again. My team-mates seem to be doing really strong, too – I think we can contest both stage wins and a good overall result with riders like Betancur and Carapaz. The Giro is really beautiful; I got to know it in 2015 and the ‘tifosi’ are just incredible. It’s a special race for me.”

ANTONIO PEDRERO (profile)

“I’ve got prepared for this Giro with a three-week altitude camp in Andorra. I felt well there, and I didn’t have any problems to complete the training program we had set on myself. Later on I raced in Asturias, and things went pretty good there. My goal here is supporting the team wherever possible, and also try and confirm the level I showed in last year’s Vuelta is my real potential. The good load of experience I gathered there should help me improve as a rider. Those are two different races, but in the end, it’s a three-week event in both cases, so the stamina and commitment required should be the same.

“What have I been told about the Giro? One thing above all: lots of mountains! The battle will be fierce here. I think all of my team-mates are coming in very good form to this race, and with such tough stages, the route should suit us. I think we can be near the front and offer some good glimpses of our quality, just like in last year’s Vuelta. I know how the route will be, but I haven’t set my sights on any particular stage – we must go day-by-day.”

RAFA VALLS (profile)

“I’ve been at Sierra Nevada for 20 days before the Giro. It was a very tough three weeks of training, and I hope to get some fruit from those efforts here. My goal should be fighting for a stage win, as well as getting better during the Giro and reach as far as possible. I’ve been out of the Grand Tours for more than two years and that makes me even more excited about this race. Because of the injury I suffered last season, it’s not clear how I’ll react to continued efforts for three weeks. Let’s hope I get to remember quickly how it was to do well in such.

“I’ve raced the Giro twice, and for me, with its tough routes, it’s the hardest of the three Grand Tours. And the weather makes for an even more difficult course. We’re bringing a team full of up-and-coming talent, with guys who can do well here and are in good form. Carapaz, Betancur – and the rest of the squad. We’re pretty well balanced, with strong climbers and an overall good level. We should be in for a good performance here.”