Giulio Ciccone: "My values ​​are good and I will definitely keep an eye on the general classification"

Giulio Ciccone comes to the Giro d'Italia as a crucial piece for Trek - Segafredo, as he carries the team's main ambitions to succeed in the stint for the overall classification.

In an interview with the press, in anticipation to the race's start this Friday, Ciccone has opened up about his preparation towards the Giro: “The past month has been difficult for me. I had some health problems, with a corona infection and bronchitis, so I decided not to ride the Ardennes classics. I wanted to keep working at altitude and now I am here with confidence. My values ​​are good and I will definitely keep an eye on the general classification. But most of all I want to live by the day," he said.

Ciccone has grown as an incredibly talented climber, with stage wins at the 2016 and 2019 Giro that have marked his career. For some years now, he's attempted to ride the overall classification at Grand Tours, but his plan hasn't yet come together. The 27-year old finds another opportunity this year, as he comes in as Trek - Segafredo's leader for the GC.

“In the first week my condition still has to improve and then I want to look further. My instinct says I want to attack and I don't want to be influenced by the constant thought of the classification," he added. Ciccone has always been an aggressive rider, and he may have the intent of attacking in the opening week, and may be a useful ally - or himself finding allies - in the tricky stages that are on the table.

"There are already many demanding stages in the first nine days. And after the first week, many things will already be clear, but in the final week the situation can change overnight," he points out.

As a pure climber, he doesn't hide that this is a route he's satisfied with, and will have him motivated to perform in the mountains: “I love a Giro like this. Very heavy, demanding and open. The standard is high and I think Richard Carapaz and Simon Yates should be put above the rest as favorites. But beyond that, it's very similar. There are two short time trials, which is in my favour, but you should not underestimate them because the course is difficult there," he concluded.