Jonathan Milan can sit more upright with new lead-out: 'Behind Simone I always have to stay low'

Milan is heading into his third season with the German-American team, and the partnership has been highly successful so far. In 2024, he immediately delivered more than ten victories for his new employer, including stage wins and points jerseys at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Giro d’Italia.

Last year, the then-24-year-old Italian made his Tour de France debut and struck gold straight away, with two stage victories and the green jersey. Nevertheless, he will not be at the Tour de France this coming season. “That is not difficult for me. I am in favour of changing the programme again. Of course it would be nice to ride the Tour again, but I am very happy to return to the Giro. There are plenty of opportunities for sprinters there and we are going with a strong lead-out.”

With Mads Pedersen now targeting the green jersey for Lidl-Trek, Milan — just as roles were reversed last year — sees that as a logical decision.

“After the break, you talk with your coach and set your goals from your own perspective. Then you speak with the team about the Grand Tours, and I had already seen that there are several nice stages for sprinters in the Giro, including the first one. I would really like to take the pink jersey in Bulgaria. The Vuelta could also be an option, but that is for later.”

Not only has Milan’s race programme changed, but part of his sprint train has as well. Jasper Stuyven has moved to Soudal-Quick-Step, and in his place comes the 1.99-metre-tall Max Walscheid. “I am really happy about that, because he is a very strong guy. Behind Simone I always had to stay low, but behind Max I don’t have to,” laughs the 1.94-metre-tall Milan.

“The most important thing about our train is that we are flexible and able to change, like we have been doing for several years. We have already done quite a lot of training, and we are deliberately starting early in AlUla to work on the order. I know that Max, but also Simone and Edward Theuns, can all do every role in the lead-out.”

Milan will start his season early with his teammates. “I begin in AlUla and the UAE Tour, where we immediately have some nice opportunities for sprinters. Then I will ride Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo, In Flanders Fields and Paris-Roubaix. A few more races could be added here and there, but we have decided not to race too much so that we can really focus. Last year I was already somewhat fatigued after Tirreno.”

That was also visible at La Primavera, where Milan struggled on the climbs. “A lot has changed, but it is a race I love and want to do well in. The Cipressa and the Poggio are ridden a bit differently nowadays than in the past, but we still have to try,” concludes the good-natured powerhouse.