“This year’s Giro features a very well-balanced route, with interesting stages for every type of rider. And we’re starting with a team made up of many different types of riders,” says sports director Marc Reef as he looks ahead to the Giro d’Italia, which begins Friday in Durrës, Albania. “Our biggest goal as a team is to chase stage victories. With Wout van Aert, Olav Kooij, and Simon Yates, we have three leaders who have already proven they can win a stage in a Grand Tour. With them, we should be able to compete on all terrains.”

Sprinting

Starting with the bunch sprints, Kooij will be the designated leader. The Dutch homegrown sprinter won his first Grand Tour stage in Naples last year during the Giro. “It’s really special to return there now in stage six,” says Kooij. “I’m looking forward to sprinting again for the stage win. But of course, there are many other opportunities for a bunch sprint. I want to fight for the win every time. The team gives me that confidence, and that means a lot.”

“For the flat sprints, Olav is our best chance at a stage win,” Van Aert adds. “It’s only logical that we support him in those stages, and I’ll do everything I can to position him well for the finish. Personally, I’m targeting the more demanding stages. That could mean a sprint from a reduced group or a long breakaway. The Giro traditionally offers plenty of those types of stages. I’m really excited to finally make my debut in the Giro d’Italia. We all know what happened last year, so I’m especially glad to finally be here. Racing in Italy always gives me a special feeling.”

With nine stage wins in the Tour de France and three in the Vuelta a España, the Giro d’Italia — which Van Aert has never raced — is the missing piece in completing a Grand Tour stage win trilogy. “So that’s definitely a goal this month. I’ve also worn the leader’s jersey in both the Tour and the Vuelta. It would be a dream to wear the pink jersey in the Giro as well.”

General Classification

That leaves the mountain stages, where Yates will be Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s most prominent rider, supported by Wilco Kelderman and Steven Kruijswijk, among others. “The Giro is my main goal this season, so I’m really looking forward to it,” says Yates. “It’s a special race for me, full of history and memories — both good and bad. My goal is to achieve the best possible result in the general classification.”

This Giro marks Yates’ first Grand Tour with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. “A lot still feels new and different since my move to a new team — the first time in my professional career — but I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress over the past few months. In both races I’ve done this season, I felt stronger each day. It’s exciting to start my first Grand Tour with Team Visma | Lease a Bike, and I’m highly motivated — not just for my personal goals, but also because we have a very strong team with multiple leaders, allowing us to fight for something in nearly every stage.”