"I wasted a lot of energy" - Jan Christen's Giro d'Italia mission as he ponders future general classification ambitions
Cycling
Jan Christen has a lot on his mind as he and UAE Team Emirates - XRG head into the final week of the Giro d'Italia. The team are flying high with four stage wins already confirming a successful race, but Christen is disappointed he hasn't been one of them and is on a mission for a stage win.
The 21-year-old has been one of the most active riders when the race goes uphill. In stage 11, he made a host of moves but ultimately missed out on the breakaway of the day as teammate Jhonatan Narváez took honours. On Saturday's 14th stage, he did make the breakaway but spent his energy reserves establishing his place at the front before the general classification men dictated the day.
For UAE Team Emirates - XRG, every day is a new opportunity for their stage hunters. While the Swiss native has enjoyed the freedom, he hopes that he can get in the right move as the race heads to his home country for stage 16.
Christen hopes to learn from Narvaez
"As a team, we try to go for a different rider every day, but with only five riders left it is hard to control things," Christen told IDL Pro Cycling. "I tried really hard in stage 11 and the team hoped I would make it into the right break, but I couldn't get into the right move. It would be great if it works out towards Switzerland, but we will see."
Christen has enjoyed a hugely successful beginning to his career with seven wins, but knows that he has plenty to learn - particularly from Narváez - who he claims can approach every day with confidence in this year's Corsa Rosa.
Christen said: "I think I can definitely learn something from Jhonny, though I have to say it is a different situation for him right now. He has already won three stages and can go into every day with that confidence. I have to be ready for every attack, while he can maybe play his cards a bit more. That was also the key in stage 11 — Jhonatan was there at the crucial moment. I wasted a lot of energy."
Christen's future goals
Christen has ambitions to compete in the general classification further down the line, but is eager to build experience. His team have previously stated that his versatility makes him a strong attacker and his emphasis this season is seemingly on one-day racing.
"Let's see — I know I have the potential to do great things, and the team knows that too," Christen said. "You also need to get used to these races, so maybe we should revisit that in one or two years. For now, with the team we are only going for stage wins, while I also hope to come through the Giro well, ahead of the second part of my season."
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Christen has his sights set on future general classification ambitions: "That depends a bit on how I develop as a rider in the coming years, but I would love that, yes. The main goal for this year is still the one-day races, and that will probably still be the case next year too."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
- If Tiberi has a better and more consistent 2027 I somehow doubt it will be because of this victorious warning. Unless his preparation has been off, cycling isn't football.flyer07-11-2026
- Love this guy. He is such a pure racer.mij07-11-2026
- Fair enough. Everyone’s entitled to one and I respect yours! Nothing wrong with being a one week and GT guy if that’s his vibemij07-11-2026
- LOL...it's a predetermined finish ! N one is 'clashing' at these exhibition crits!frieders307-11-2026
- Surely the UCI and the race organisers have a responsibility to ensure the best medical care is available to riders when incidents like this happen. All very well pushing for global expansion but not so good if riders lives are put at risk because medical support is not up to scratch.Andy12306-11-2026
- Well it clearly helps that this was Pidcock's own car, no?Occam06-11-2026
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