PRESS CONFERENCE: "It’s the price you pay when you ride in a big team" - Jonathan Milan denied chance to defend Green Jersey at Tour de France

Jonathan Milan spoke to the media at Lidl Trek’s press conference about his revised Grand Tour programme, his decision to target the Giro d’Italia, his sprint ambitions, the evolving demands of modern sprinting, and how he approaches pressure and risk in the fast finishes. CyclingUpToDate was present as the Italian sprinter answered questions in an extended back and forth.

How difficult was it for you to change your programme and go to the Giro instead of the Tour?
It’s not difficult for me. It’s time to change the programme a bit. Of course it would be nice to go to the Tour, but why not go to the Giro?

I’m really happy to go to the Giro because we have some nice opportunities there for us sprinters. I will go with a team that is committed to helping me in different kinds of sprints, to try to do more or less what we did in the last years.

I wouldn’t say it’s difficult. It’s the price you pay when you ride in a big team. Everybody has to be happy at the end, and I’m happy with the decision to go to the Giro.

You had a very strong Tour de France this year. How do you look back on it?
I had a really wonderful Tour. Not only because of the victories, but also because of how we did it.

For me it was really special how we went through every stage, every day. We had such a beautiful atmosphere in the team. I really had fun with all of them. That’s what I take home more than the victories.

Can you explain how a new programme is decided? Is it your initiative or the team’s?
In the end we are coming from the same big goals.

After the holidays, I spoke with my coach. We had a phone call where we talked about the beginning of the year, how to start, where to try to achieve as many victories as possible, and then of course we spoke about the Grand Tours.

This year I saw that the Giro had some nice opportunities, especially at the start. It looks good. And it also gives opportunities because the European and World Championships are not suited for sprinters this year.

Is there a chance you will also ride the Vuelta after the summer?
This has to wait a few days, and then I’ll let you know.

I think the Vuelta may have more mountains than this year. When we see the full route, we’ll decide with the team if it makes sense or not. Maybe one or two sprint opportunities, I don’t know. But it’s still a possibility.

What about your Spring Classics programme?
Will it be similar to previous years? I’ll tell you a bit more. I will start in Saudi Arabia. We will have some nice sprint opportunities there. Then UAE, the same. Tirreno-Adriatico, and then after Tirreno.

I’m only speaking about the main programme now. There could still be some changes.

At the beginning of the year I will focus a lot on the sprints, especially Saudi Arabia and UAE. Then I will have to grow a bit more for the Classics. We need to decide where to go north, not too many Classics, but be really focused.

Last year after Tirreno I was already not feeling 50-50. I was a bit tired. Everyone knows how it went, and for me it was super difficult. We are trying to take small steps every year.

Milano-Sanremo has changed a lot in recent years. Do you see yourself having chances there in the future?
Maybe in the future-future.

For sure Sanremo is changing a lot. I will try my best to improve and be in the best shape I can there. It’s a special race for me.

But the approach to the Cipressa and the Poggio is completely changing. It’s already been changing in the last years. It will be super tough.

Everyone knows I will do more this year than maybe expected. We will just try to be ready to suffer.

There are some new recruits in the Classics squad. How does that change things for you?
For me the most important thing is that we become smooth when changing positions. That’s what we did well again this year, and that was our strength.

I’m really happy to have him with me. He’s a really strong rider. We’ve already done some training together, and we’ll keep training in December and January.

We will try different setups during spring training and decide what works best. This will grow through Saudi Arabia and UAE, and then we’ll know the final setup.

Before the Tour you spoke about the benefits of your lead-out. Could new combinations also bring benefits?
We will try everything here in the training camps.

All these guys have strong kick power, and they know how to deliver me at the right speed. They all have the experience to do it.

For me it’s not only about the last lead-out man. The third-last and second-last riders are just as important. We all have to work together.

Sometimes one rider is on one side of the road and others are on the other side. We need to understand how to work together in all situations. That’s the most important thing.

Sprint competition seems very tight at the top level. How do you see the current sprint hierarchy?
Of course the level is very close.

We are always there, and I like to compete against them. It’s about positioning. Some start earlier, some later. Everyone has their own style.

The Giro will start in Bulgaria, where you won your first European track medal. Does that have special meaning?
Yes, that’s true. Now I remember that.

Yes, it’s 100 percent a target. It’s a really nice possibility and a big opportunity. For sure we will try to arrive there and stay there. But you never know how it will go.

Was that one of the reasons you chose the Giro?
Yes, it was also one of the reasons.

Do you already see the Giro stages in detail?
Will teams work with you more in sprint stages? Sometimes teams collaborate, sometimes not. It’s normal.

We have strong helpers, and they also help each other until the last kilometre. Sometimes it’s tactical. Some teams need to save energy for GC riders.

For us it’s not a big problem. We know how to work.

You are now Italy’s top sprinter. Do you stay in contact with former stars like Cipollini?
I hear from him sometimes. He sends messages, usually compliments.

When I was young, I really watched cycling with my father. Sitting on the sofa for hours. One rider attacking, the other chasing. It was exciting.

Those riders gave me adrenaline. They were big examples for me.

How do you cope with sprint finishes becoming faster and more dangerous?
We try to be as careful as possible.

The races are getting faster and faster, and of course that makes them more dangerous. I see that organisers are taking safety more seriously now.

As a sprinter, you have to take risks, but crashing is never a compromise you want. Every sprint is different. The speed, the road, the positioning, everything changes.

With the evolution of equipment, we are getting faster every year. We are all trying to reduce dangerous moments as much as possible.

Do you think the UCI will introduce gear restrictions?
I don’t know. They are already thinking about it.

For me, above 75 or 76 kilometres per hour, it’s already extremely fast. It’s not just about bigger gears. You don’t simply go faster because you have a bigger chainring.

It’s more complicated than that.

Which team has the best lead-out in the peloton?
Us.

We show it every time. We are committed, organised, and experienced. Of course sometimes we lose positions, but then we regroup.

Is it frustrating when your team does most of the work and others wait?
No. It happens sometimes, but other sprint trains also help.

If only one team works and the break gets four minutes, there is no sprint. Everyone understands that. Sometimes teams have their own plans, and you have to accept it.

Do you ever get angry when rivals don’t work with you?
No. In the end they have their plan and they respect it.

I say congratulations when they win. That’s cycling.