[Cyclisme] Michel Ries: “I’m delighted”

The Luxembourg climber will participate for the third time in his career in the Tour of Italy, which will start on Friday from Albania.

Michel Ries had finished at the 25th^e Place du Tour d’Italie in 2024. While his team Arkéa-B & B Hotels will start from Albania for the 108^e Edition, the 27 -year -old Luxembourg climber takes stock.

To form

“I feel very good. I leave a good preparation. After the Tour of Catalonia, we left for a three -week altitude course in Sierra Nevada. It’s positive. I came back on 1^isMay for the Grand Prix de Frankfurt to at least do a race before the Giro departs. With the immediate effects of the internship, it was correct, even if the sensations were average, which is normal on the days following the altitude return. But it was good to run. “

His season so far

“I think my season is quite correct. I started slowly. I hoped more from Oman’s tour (44^e), but on the Tour de Catalonia (33^e ), I found that it was not bad. I haven’t had big problems, it is going well at the moment. ”

Giro 2025

“It will be special with the departure in Albania. I notice that, unlike the past two years, the first two weeks are easier. There are no major mountain stages before the last week, where the general classification will therefore be played. But in the last week, we will find a very difficult Giro. With very large mountain stages. Overall, it therefore seems easier than in other years. ”

What he likes in the Giro

“The passes are regular, I appreciate their profile if I have to compare with the Tour of Spain where you have to be more explosive. I also like the public and the atmosphere if I have to compare once again with the Vuelta. I have not yet had the chance to go around France, but I strongly appreciate the atmosphere of Italy. This is the third time that I will participate and I am delighted… ”

His team Arkéa-B & B Hotels

“We have no big leaders for the general classification, so we can think that there will be a lot of openness for everyone. We have a sprinter, Luca Mozzato, who can do well on the Sprint stages. He will have many possibilities for the first two weeks. Overall, our team will be homogeneous. Young people will have the opportunity to show themselves, which is good. ”

There will be opportunities and therefore we will have to be able to seize them

The stage he targets

“There is not one in particular. I will target every step that I can aim. We have no one who can win the Giro, it’s up to us to take advantage of it to target steps. I think that on this Giro, there will be opportunities and therefore we will have to be able to seize them. The best way is to go to a breakaway. You cannot choose in advance. What is clear is that in the last week, there are big mountain stages. But the Tour of Italy is very long. ”

The collar he prefers

“It is not a pass that I know, because I have never rolled it before, but I heard a lot about it. It is the fine fine glue (2,178 m) in Sestrières for the 20^eand penultimate stage (May 31). We will have a total of 5,000 m of elevation that day. I’m curious to go. It is a legendary collar. If I can shine, it would be cool. “

His favorites for the pink jersey

“(Primoz) Roglic and (Juan) Ayuso are the two big favorites. This should be played between these two. ”