Struggling Lidl-Trek aims to reap rewards of new signings in Giro: "Dream of the podium"

Derek Gee-West returns next month to the race where he made his major breakthrough: the Giro d’Italia. In 2023, the Canadian rode to four second-place finishes and finished second in both the points and mountains classifications. Since then, Gee-West has developed into a GC contender and will hunt for a podium spot with his new team, Lidl-Trek.

In 2023, Gee-West was the revelation of the Tour of Italy. The then-unknown Canadian, riding for the predecessor of NSN Cycling Team, was seen in the breakaway almost every day. This eventually earned him four second places. 'I don't think I'll ever ride a Grand Tour again where I have more fun than the one in 2023,' he told the Giro website. Since that Giro, Gee-West has been a name to be reckoned with.

In 2024, he already rode to a top-ten finish in the Tour de France, and last year he finished fourth in the Giro. "It’s a bit less fun to ride for the classification, but if it works out, it's enormously worth it." His season essentially ended after the last Giro. The Canadian only rode two national championships but was otherwise kept on the sidelines due to a dispute with his then team.

At his new team Lidl-Trek, Gee-West is one of the GC leaders, though they also have Mattias Skjelmose and Juan Ayuso within the squad. However, these two are not scheduled for the Giro at the time of writing, making the Canadian the most likely leader within the team. Giulio Ciccone is another option for the team.

The Canadian consequently has big ambitions for the upcoming Tour of Italy. "I dream of a podium spot, but I certainly wouldn't be disappointed with a fourth place," he says. "The race and the competition are constantly changing, so you can never say in advance what will happen. In any case, I will give everything I have in me."

Big goals, then, for the brand new acquisition of Lidl-Trek, who also signed Juan Ayuso from UAE this winter. The Spaniard is experiencing a difficult start to the season and is once again struggling with his health. He has a viral infection, which means he will not line up at the Ardennes Classics.

Gee-West has also not left a great impression so far this season. In the UAE Tour, he finished in a decent seventh place, but after that, things went downhill. He finished 115th in Milano-Torino and had to abandon during the Tour of Catalonia, with a 91st place as his highest stage finish. Since then, the Canadian has not been back in action.

However, he will start the Tour of the Alps next week, where he will have to show a great deal to prove that his Giro ambitions are realistic.