For his first round of Italy at 22, the German champion Marco Brenner confided in velofute the day before the departure of the Giro 2025. The runner of the Pro Team Tudor Pro Cycling should often be at the front with a major ambition: to win a stage. He will have carte blanche. Interview.
This is your first Giro, how do you feel?
Marco Brenner: I am happy. This is the first Giro for me, in addition with the German champion jersey, it is something special. I think the season so far has been a bit hectic with injuries and a lot of diseases. But I think I have really found a good level in recent weeks and I am confident in terms of my form.
In Ardèche you were very strong, with a 2nd place on the Faun Ardèche Classic. Then there was This injury. Was you stronger than ever in Ardèche?
Yes, I think it was probably my best level so far. Lately, I told myself that I was back in the competition. I think I had never been so strong. Well, and then there was this injury.
Did this injury have an impact on your form and your dynamics, or do you think you have now reached this level again?
After the fall, I spent a lot of time in hospitals for exams and others. I resumed training after a week and then went on with Milan-Turin, but of course, my shape was not good at that time. Given the injury, I came back quickly, but after San Remo, I fell ill for a week. Which also cost me a lot.
I would have liked to get more results, but we made some practical mistakes. I also learned a lot and I had good legs. I think I have worked well in recent weeks. The Giro was my main goal since the start of the season, so I’m happy to be there.
Okay, and you were also at the altitude camp or you had a more classic preparation?
No, we had normally planned a few races then courses at altitude, the Tour des Alpes and the Giro, but because of the Ardèche accident, we have changed everything.
And for the Giro, what are your goals? Playing the general with Michael Storer maybe, but what is your role?
For my part, I will try to take the escapes and aim for the steps.
Will you be really free for that?
Are there specific steps that you have already targeted?
No, I haven’t watched it yet (laughs). I look day by day. It also depends on how the race takes place, who takes the jersey and many factors combine. That’s why I haven’t even taken the trouble to think about it. The only thing I have watched so far was the first step.
And the general classification, can it still happen for this Giro? Or is it not really a goal at all?
No, this is not our goal at all.
Are you good in time, so you will not try to be 100%?
I think the first time trial will take place on the second day, so I’m going to go there. But I must say that last year, I did not really emphasize on training in the time trial, but rather on everything else to improve myself.
So I will certainly do the first to gain experience. I don’t know the second yet. I may also save energy.
Your first professional seasons were not so easy for you. But now, last year and this year, we see that you are really ready. Are you happy with this progress? And what are the next steps?
After a few difficult years, I now definitely found an environment in which I can perform. I am happy. Last year, I had a good dynamic that made me realize that I was improving more and more. I have already done some good shopping this year. I would now like to continue to progress to win races and cross levels.
I think I have always been in the top 5 stages races. 1 so far and that I can compete at this level. And I think we must now take a step and improve the race program. We have already done this this year, I did more important shopping. So I now have to gain more experience in bigger races.
What is the atmosphere in the team for its second big tour?
The atmosphere is really good. We are rather relaxed and more excited than stressed at the idea of approaching the second Giro of the team now. I think we don’t have as much pressure anymore now and I hope we can surprise some people with good performance.
