"Many now expect me to dictate the course of the race": Alec Segaert notices a change after his spring breakthrough

Alec Segaert has gradually built himself a great reputation at the cobbled classics this past spring. With his fearless attacks, the young Belgian grabbed the hearts of many (Belgian) fans, and was rewarded with a first big victory at the GP Denain, when his late attack was met with no equal response from the peloton. And so, it's no surprise the 23-year-old rider is being watched closely during his Giro d'Italia debut.

"I see plenty of stages where there are opportunities to achieve a result via an early breakaway. But I also think the 42-kilometer time trial will be a good test," Segaert lists his best opportunities for a personal result in an interview for WielerFlits.

The tenth stage marks a breaking point of this Giro d'Italia for GC contenders, but it's also an important test for time-trial specialists such as Segaert, or Filippo Ganna. And for Segaert, who's changed colours last winter, it's an important test in fresh environment.

"It will be my first time trial with the team on the new equipment. My goal is to come away from it with a good feeling, with an eye on the Belgian Championship."

But Segaert is not in Italy just for the one effort. The Bahrain - Victorious riders aims to fight for stage win from a breakaway further into the race. Probably not on the hardest mountain tests, but stage 8, 17 or 18 definitely appeal to the top-20 finisher from Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders this spring.

"If three men ride away immediately, you know that is fairly easy to control from the peloton. More often, certainly in the second part of a Grand Tour, there are larger breakaways that can get away. Then it becomes more of a tactical game in the leading group. I don't necessarily have to be the absolute best on the uphill sections, but if the tactics are right, you can certainly win prizes that way."

Winning a stage won't come easy though. As Segaert's star rises, so does the amount of attention he receives from other teams. Thus, he can no longer hide at the back and hope race plays out in his favor on its own.

"I have already noticed that they are keeping an eye on me. Many now expect me to dictate the course of the race. Of course, I hope I am not the only one trying that sort of thing. Companions for such an undertaking are always useful. And in this peloton, which is perhaps different from the spring, there are in reality still many men I don't come across very often in races or whom I know a bit less well. So we shall see."

"I hope that after the race I can say that I was mainly able to compete for the win a few times. That is ultimately the most enjoyable part of cycling. That means I got into the breakaway a number of times that rode all the way to the finish. A top 10 in the time trial would also be nice."