Remco Evenepoel: "I can count on a very good team, we are all motivated and prepared to do our best"

All the training and preparation has been done. Remco Evenepoel is ready for the Giro d'Italia, which starts this Saturday on the coast of the Abruzzo region. It will be a brutal race for every rider but even more so for those who pursue the pink jersey, as every day will be a difference challenge with it's own obstacles.

“Racing in Italy is always special. I love it there, I love the amazing tifosi and their passion for cycling, so I am excited about being at the start of this Giro," Evenepoel said in a press release. "Of course, doing it as World Champion makes it even more special, as I am keen on honouring this beautiful rainbow jersey that I will sport every day for the next three weeks. There’s no secret that I aim to do a good general classification. I can count on a very good team, we are all motivated and prepared to do our best."

This morning Soudal - Quick-Step have revealed their lineup for the Corsa Rosa, including Ilan van Wilder and Louis Vervaeke who were instrumental for his Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory, Jan Hirt who has thrived in the past at the Giro, and the duo of Davide Ballerini and Josef Cerny who will be defending him in the treacherous flat stages. It'll be a race of endurance and survival at many times, but after conquering the Vuelta a Espana last summer the World Champion departs as one of the main favourites and the pink jersey will be up for grabs already on day 1.

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“It’s time for the season’s first Grand Tour and we can’t wait to get things started, especially as we will race it with the World Champion in our ranks," Davide Bramati, the team DS, said. "We travel to Italy with a strong team, riders who are all determined to do a good race, show the Wolfpack spirit and help Remco get the best possible result in the general classification."