Van Baarle sees the key to stage 1: “It’s not the climb that matters most, it’s the other sections that will shape the race”

“It was great to have a spring without illness,” Van Baarle said, looking back on the early part of the year. “It felt really good to start 2025 like that. Of course, we hoped and expected more from it, but that’s how it goes. Now I’m focused on the Giro I’m really looking forward to it.”

The 32-year-old is lining up for La Corsa Rosa for the second time, and it’s clearly a race he’s grown fond of. “I’m feeling really good. The past few days have been great, and I came out of the spring classics with a positive feeling too. I can tell the toughness is coming back, and I’ll need that to reach a high level. I’m definitely starting this Giro with confidence.”

Like many riders, Dylan van Baarle quickly noticed that Tirana isn’t exactly a cycling city. “While reconning the finale of stage one, we rode into town and there were still huge sections of road missing. They were just casually filling them in, haha. The tarmac on the climb is okay, but it’s pretty narrow. The descent is quite sketchy too. And drivers here… they’re absolutely mental. I think Max Verstappen defends with less aggression in F1,” the Dutchman joked.

And it’s not just the roads cycling doesn’t seem to be a big deal in Albania either, according to the former Paris-Roubaix winner. “When I arrived in the city, there was no sign the Giro was about to start. No banners, nothing. During the team presentation, a Dutch-speaking guy came up and asked if this was really the highest level of racing. He also thought we were Team Netherlands, haha.”

According to Van Baarle, there are definitely opportunities for his teammates in the Giro’s opening weekend. “We checked out stage one, and with Wout and Olav we’ve got two guys who might be in the mix for the win. I don’t think the climb is the key section it’ll be more about positioning before the kicker and the descent that follows. That could be decisive.”

Van Baarle also has personal ambitions. “As a team, we’re here to win stages and support Simon in the GC. But I’m hoping to anticipate in certain stages, get into the break, and maybe go for a stage win from there. If Simon’s riding strong, I’ll shift into more of a support role. But if the door’s open, I’m definitely going to try.”