Iván Sosa: "I come to the Giro with great expectations"

Movistar Team is putting in a team focused on the overall classification and the mountains, as they come with Alejandro Valverde and Iván Sosa on the helm. The Colombian will be riding for the overall classification for the first time in his career, and is eager to test himself in the mountains.

Ahead of the race, Sosa told reporters: “I come to the Giro with great expectations. In the Vuelta Asturias I got better every day, that's why I'm looking forward to the Giro so much. We will do our best together with Valverde. I don't know who will be the leader, but we're both okay and we'll see how it goes."

Valverde - who will be looking for stage wins and overlooking the overall classification - has added that Sosa is a serious contender for the overall classification, and can be a surprise in the race: “I would really like Sosa to be on the final podium. I can see that he is very motivated and his victory in the Tour of Asturias reminds me of Carapaz's victory year," he said. Referring to the 2019 edition of the Vuelta a Asturias where Richard Carapaz won, before heading on to conquer the Giro.

Sosa has only ridden two Grand Tours in his career, the 2019 Giro and the 2020 Vuelta. In neither he placed high in the overall classification, albeit he didn't have the opportunity with INEOS Grenadiers. It will be a challenge for him, however he may also be focusing on the youth classification in which he's one of the favourites and has a more real chance of contesting.