It is one of the highlights of the season for under-23 riders. The Giro NextGen, formerly known as the Baby Giro, is one of the season's most important races for Menno Huising and his teammates. "This race is at the top of my list. I have been looking forward to it and working towards it since the beginning of the season", Huising says. "How cool is it to cross Italy from left to right for eight days in a race?"

Huising knows. He raced the Giro NextGen for the first time last year and had one of the best weeks of his life. His teammate Staune-Mittet, who now rides for the WorldTour squad of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, won the general classification and Huising himself performed beyond expectations all week. "The memory of that week will stay with me forever", the 20-year-old rider continues. "Everything was just right. We had a great group and executed the plan very well every day. The fact that Johannes won the general classification made it perfect."

The Development Team is clear about its ambitions. They are determined to take home the pink jersey for the second year in a row. "We are aiming for the highest possible, and that is to win the pink jersey", sports director De Haan says. "With Jorgen Nordhagen, Tijmen Graat and Darren van Bekkum, we have three riders who can play an important role in the GC."

"We also have Matthew Brennan for the flatter stages, and Menno and Darren should be able to take advantage of the situations we create as a team. We have a strong squad with a lot of potential." Huising, who will move to the main Team Visma | Lease a Bike squad next year, agrees with his sports director. "Our main goal is to win the overall classification, and I hope to play a very important role in that. And if I get my own chance, I will grab it with both hands. I want to win a stage in my last Giro NextGen."

Unlike other stage races for U23 riders, the Giro NextGen consists of eight stages and many (famous) climbs. De Haan believes it is essential for the development of young riders to take part in such races. "Not only because of the environment and the journey but also because of the length. The boys are used to racing four or five days in a row, but not eight. How do their bodies react? How strong are they in the final weekend? I am curious about that.”

Huising explains that he learned a lot from last year's edition. "Apart from having a lot of fun, it's eight days of gaining experience, getting stronger and proving yourself to the public. All the world-class riders in the U23 category are there, and they are at the top of their game. That makes you ride harder, no matter what.”