"I wasted a lot of energy" - Jan Christen's Giro d'Italia mission as he ponders future general classification ambitions

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.

"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 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."

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."