"I worked well over the winter, calmly, without major changes but completing all the training without any setbacks. I realized things were going well at the
Tirreno-Adriatico, where with such a high-level field, I was always among the best on the climbs, staying in the front group until the final stages," Fiorelli reflects of his current form in conversation with
Bici.Pro. "I wasn’t expecting anything specific from that race except to train well, but I still managed a good result there. And that opened the door…"
"I want to go to the Giro with the dream of winning a stage because, in my opinion, winning a stage there is easier than in a one-day race, where everyone has the same goal," continues the Italian, setting out his main goal for the coming Grand Tour. "The Giro d’Italia has dynamics that change from stage to stage, depending on the objectives of each rider and team. Right now, I’m at altitude, trying to hold on and, if possible, improve my form, because I want to experience some great moments at the Giro."
And as mentioned, with stage 1 potentially favourable to Fiorelli, a Maglia Rosa would go hand in hand with a first ever Grand Tour stage win. "It’s a stage where I don’t think pure sprinters will be able to be the protagonists," he previews. "There are 5 kilometres of climbing, and I think riders like Pedersen and Van Aert will make the difference by setting a high pace. I want to show that I can handle that pace - after all, that’s one of my strengths, being able to handle the climbs and still be quick. In a smaller group, I can play my cards. I say anything can happen."