Dries De Bondt not on Alpecin-Deceuninck's Giro d'Italia list but "going on altitude training" as reserve

With his noteworthy performance in the Giro d'Italia last season, Dries De Bondt gained many fans, and he is now will be joining the altitude training with Alpecin-Deceuninck as a reserve for the upcoming Italian grand tour.

"In Spanish Denía we are staying with the team in the hotel of former rider Aleksandr Kolobnev, where you can simulate an altitude training camp in your room. I find that quite comfortable working in ideal conditions," De Bondt told Het Nieuwsblad.

Last year, he managed to clinch the victory on the eighteenth stage. "The Tour of Italy suits me pretty well, but I'm scheduled to ride the Vuelta this year. That will be pretty fun too. For the Giro I am marked as first reserve. That's why I'm also going on altitude training.”

The excellent performance of Alpecin-Deceuninck in recent races is reflected on the leaderboard, and the team is taking a prudent approach in the first grand tour of the year to maintain its success. “If someone drops out, I can be fitted in immediately. And if not, I will be in good shape for some nice Belgian races like Dwars door het Hageland, the Brussels Cycling Classic and Circuit de Wallonie. So I only see positive scenarios,” concluded the Belgian rider.