The Giro d’Italia Donne, one of the most prestigious cycling races of the season, starts on Friday. The ten-day stage race through Italy opens with a team time trial of almost 27 kilometres. Liv Racing starts with the two domestic riders Sofia Bertizzolo and Soraya Paladin. Jeanne Korevaar, Marta Jaskulska, Sabrina Stultiens and Pauliena Rooijakkers will also compete in the purple Cuore jersey.
“With Pauliena Rooijakkers, we have a chance of a good classification. If everything goes perfectly, a place in the top five might be possible. The good thing for Pauliena and the team is that the beginning of the race is already very tough. On the second day there is the stage to Prato Nevoso. And on day four there is the individual climbing time trial. Pauliena can create a good starting position there. As a team, we will support her as best we can”, says Sofia Bertizzolo.
“At the same time, I hope there will be space to go for success myself. Either through a bunch sprint, or through a breakaway. I expect that this year there will be a little less control from the peloton and that it will be more likely that breakaways will reach the finish line. In particular, the hilly stages, such as stage three, five and seven, are expected to lend themselves to this.”
“We go into the Giro d’Italia Donne with confidence. In La Course we showed that we have a strong team in width. We want to show that again in Italy”, says sports director Eric van den Boom.
“A beautiful, varied course awaits us. We see opportunities in several stages for a stage victory. That is what we are aiming for. In addition, we will try to achieve a good general classification with Pauliena Rooijakkers. The second day, with a finish at the top of Prato Nevoso, will immediately be a decisive point for the classification.”
Photo credits: Cor Vos