INTERVIEW | UAE's Matxin on who can be the Giro winner: "The main goal is to win the Giro d'Italia, independent of the situation of the race"

The second rest day of the Giro d'Italia is a day to rest and reaccess the race situation. For UAE Team Emirates - XRG, it is a position of luxury, however also one that is difficult to manage. In a press conference that featured Juan Ayuso, Isaac del Toro and team manager Joxean Matxín, we have asked what the team thinks of it's current situation.

"In the moment the situation is perfect, it's up for other riders to attack and we play to defend," Matxín answered to CyclingUpToDate. "After the time-trial, we will understand what is the real situation, the other rivals and contenders for the overall classification at that moment. It's a good situation for us".

The demand for personal questions regarding Del Toro and Ayuso's relationship and any potential internal issues that may arise in the team was natural, however it is quite clear that the team is working 24/7 not only to manage those, but also to prevent the spread of rumours throughout social media and news outlets.

After stage 9 of the race, Isaac del Toro has taken over the race lead and carries over a minute of lead over Juan Ayuso who is now second. The Spaniard required stitches on a knee after a crash this Sunday, but was very well supported by both Brandon McNulty and Adam Yates who not only survived the treacherous conditions of the gravel roads, but with their performance both gained positions on rivals including Primoz Roglic himself.

With a tricky second week and a very fragile BORA, it is fully viable that UAE can decie to continue attacking whilst they have many cards for the overall classification, at a period where Roglic's support is almost exclusively based on Giulio Pellizzari during these last few days.

Matxin however would not confirm if the team is looking to use both McNulty and Yates as potential victory or podium candidates, instead focusing on the bigger picture. "The main goal is to win the Giro d'Italia, independent of the situation of the race and independent of the moment that the race is decided".

"For example yesterday pull all race to maintain the gap in respect of the main rival Roglic; Ayuso, Brandon and Adam Yates... For this the mission is to continue the mission of winning the Giro d'Italia". The GC shouldn't change too much for the Emirati team after the time-trial to Pisa this Tuesday, but it will be interesting to see which tactics will be deployed once the high mountain stages begin.