Esciclismo.com · Road competition · 08/05/2025
The 108th edition of the Italian turn begins this Friday in Durës with a half mountain stage that will give the starting gun to 3,443.3 kilometers of travel to Rome. On the eve of the beginning, some of the main club cyclists analyzed their aspirations at a press conference held in Tirana, which highlighted the words of Primoz Roglic, Juan Ayuso, Egan Bernal and Richard Carapaz, among others.
Roglic and van Aert, duel of old acquaintances in the ‘Corsa Rosa’
The Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), champion of the turn in 2023, part as one of the great favorites and claimed to feel motivated to compete in front of his former partner Wout van Aert. “The Red Bull kilometer will be a fun surprise, I hope you add a show. It will be interesting to run against Wout. For me, it is more than a cyclist. Surely he will have his opportunities,” said the Slovenian.
Wout van AertFor his part, he commented on the sensations after recognizing the urban circuit of Tirana, where the first stage will end. “The climb is demanding and then descended to the goal. There are options for the attackers. I have not had an ideal preparation, but I am excited to discover this country and compete every day.”
Juan Ayuso: “The turn is harder than the Volta Catalunya”
Juan Ayuso (UAE Emirates-XRG), which faces its first participation in the Giro de Italiahighlighted the demand of the race. “It is different from the Volta to Catalonia. The turn is longer and longer. Tomorrow is already an important stage, you can lose more than you can win. Saturday’s chrono can come well,” said the Alicante.
On the pressure in the third week, Ayuso was aware of the challenge: “In my first big turns the age may influence. Now, in my fourth, if I sink in the last week it will not be for that.”
Bernal: “I enjoy more now than when I won”
The Colombian Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers), champion of the turn in 2021, declared that his goal remains to recover his best level in a great return. “I don’t know if I can still win it, but that’s my hope. I enjoy cycling now than when I won. The preparation has been very good these last two weeks,” said the current national Colombian champion.
Bernal also highlighted the symbolism of the new design of his jersey, inspired by the historic coffee squad of Colombia, a tribute that hopes motivates the new generation of cyclists.
Carapaz and Pidcock, motivated to face a special turn
Richard Carapaz (EF Education-Easypost), winner in 2019, stressed the importance of maintaining concentration from the beginning. “Once we arrive in Italy we will have known roads, but in Albania it will be an experience to discover. The Siena stage will be key to the general,” said the Ecuadorian, one of the favorites to the final triumph.
For his part, the British Thomas Pidcock (Q36.5), which debuts in a great return, expressed its illusion for competing in the turn. “I am in a way after the Ardenas classics. I want to run every day with desire, enjoy and take advantage of opportunities. Italy is special to me, I won the Baby Giro and now I face the dream of running this career as a professional.”
Giulio Ciccone points to teamwork at start
The Italian climber Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), which returns after overcoming physical problems in 2024, stressed the importance of starting well in Tirana. “It will be a nervous stage. We are going to work for Mads Pedersen, but we will not be the only ones with ambitions. The climb will be decisive and we must be attentive,” said Chieti corridor.
With the departure from Albania, the first ‘great departure’ in Balkan territory, and a poster full of throne aspiring ones left by Tadej Pogacar, the 2025 Giro of Italy promises emotions from the first day.
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