Laurens De Plus set to ride first Grand Tour since 2019 at the Giro d'Italia: "In Geraint Thomas and Tao Geoghegan Hart we have two strong leaders"

For the first time in four years, Laurens De Plus is set to ride a Grand Tour after being named as part of the INEOS Grenadiers lineup for the Giro d'Italia and the 27-year-old Belgian couldn't be more excited.

"I am very happy to be in the Giro team. I think it's fantastic to be able to ride another Grand Tour after a few years," says De Plus who last rode a three-week stage race while in the colours of Jumbo-Visma when he finished 23rd overall at the 2019 Tour de France. "We have a well-balanced squad that has spent a lot of time together. Now it's time to rest a bit and spend some time at home with the family, because I want to go into the last Giro week as fresh as possible."

De Plus ensured his Giro selection by riding a very impressive race at the Tour of the Alps, helping Tao Geoghegan Hart to overall victory as the INEOS Grenadiers dominated. "The Tour of the Alps was a good test for me. I gained confidence there. I was very satisfied with my performance there. Hopefully I will get a little better with some rest and be at my best in the Italian Alps," he says.

"In Geraint Thomas and Tao Geoghegan Hart we have two strong leaders who can aim for the final podium," continues the Belgian. "I want to help them with that as much as possible."