Brescia warmly welcomed the 153 riders who will compete on the 2024 Giro d’Italia Ladies, which begins on Sunday with a person time trial to set the tone for the battle for the maglia rosa.
Twenty-two groups have been introduced on stage on the Piazza della Loggia.
World Champion Lotte Kopecky took to the microphone to reply questions from the organisers for the crowds throughout a question-and-answer session whereas her SD Worx-Protime teammates have been launched on stage.
Cyclingnews has highlighted Kopecky as one of many favourites for the general classification, given her success on the Tour de France Femmes final 12 months and in shorter phases races this season. Nonetheless, she mentioned that she want to win a stage and construct her type forward of the Olympic Video games.
“The Giro d’Italia is an exquisite race that has lengthy been a part of the calendar in girls’s biking. My first win within the Giro was an vital second in my profession,” Kopecky mentioned.
“At the beginning, I wish to come out of the Giro higher than I began it. And to not get sick. By struggling within the eight race days, I hope to take the ultimate step conditionally in direction of Paris 2024.
“It will likely be a sort of powerful coaching block. I haven’t got ambitions for the ultimate classification, however I do have intermediate objectives. I want to win a stage. That might be very nice.”
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The occasion’s house favorite is Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini, who traces up with a robust Lidl-Trek group that features the maglia bianca of the 2023 version Gaia Realini, and two former world champions Elisa Balsamo and Lizzie Deignan.
“We’ve got every part we have to intention for stage wins and for the overall classification. Trying to the course, it’s going to be an fascinating Giro. The opening ITT is, proper from the beginning, a key day for the overall classification. There are 4 troublesome phases to comply with, not tremendous exhausting however undoubtedly hectic and with difficult finishes the place we are able to by no means let our guard down. These can be good alternatives to attempt to dash with Elisa or, maybe, search glory with a breakaway,” mentioned Lidl-Trek director Ina Teutenberg.
“The final three phases would be the decisive ones for the GC. The queen stage on Saturday, with the double climb to Blockhaus, can be crucial day. However the final day should even be held in excessive regard. It will likely be something however a procession. I anticipate a hard-fought Giro to the final kilometre, and we can be able to play all our playing cards.”
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