Kaden Groves ready to lead Alpecin-Deceuninck at the Giro d’Italia: “I had to skip the classics due to an injury”

Alpecin-Deceuninck have enjoyed another superb spring campaign, once again driven by the brilliance of Mathieu van der Poel. But as the 2025 Grand Tour season begins with the Giro d’Italia, the Belgian team turn to a different leader: fast-finishing Australian Kaden Groves.

With both Van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen skipping the Italian Grand Tour, Groves heads the team’s charge. The 26-year-old sprinter comes in without the ideal preparation, having missed key races due to a knee injury. However, that has done little to dim his ambition heading into the race tomorrow.

"It's going well. I've been able to prepare myself quite well for altitude, but I haven't raced for a while now. I had to skip the classics due to an injury," he told CyclingProNet. "I'm starting with some doubts about this Giro, but I'm happy to be here."

Groves has not raced since March’s Volta a Catalunya, but he’s no stranger to success at the Giro. He won a stage in the 2023 edition and followed that up with superb results at the Vuelta a Espana, where he claimed the points classification in both 2023 and 2024.

“In modern cycling, every rider goes on an altitude training camp. It is what it is. The past has shown that it works for me. We believe in this approach,” Groves explained, underlining his trust in the team’s preparation despite a lack of racing miles in recent months.

Now, with the Giro underway, Groves is hoping for another breakthrough moment. "The Giro is always one of the biggest races of the season. I've won a stage there and have achieved a number of podium places. The stages in the Giro are often quite unpredictable. Several riders can win here, and there are opportunities for the escapees. I'm hoping for a great race."