Mitchelton-Scott will start 2018 Giro d’Italia with a firm eye on the general classification battle, lining up with dual leaders in Esteban Chaves and Simon Yates.
The two leaders will be supported by one of the strongest line ups possible from the Australian outfit, including the in-form Roman Kreuziger and Jack Haig, and new recruit Mikel Nieve.
With a podium at Amstel Gold Race and a worst place of eighth at Liege-Bastogne-Liege throughout the Ardennes, Kreuziger has demonstrated he is ready for the month ahead, whilst fellow climber Haig also animated the same races, primed to play a key support role at the Giro.
After a pre-season crash Nieve debuted for Mitchelton-Scott in Liege and impressed in his first race since September 2017. Svein Tuft, Chris Juul-Jensen and Sam Bewley round out the team supporting the leaders on the flatter stages throughout
“We are making no secret that our focus for the Giro d’Italia is on the general classification and Simon Yates and Esteban Chaves are our leaders. They have worked really well in the past in these roles and we’re expecting the same again,” said directeur sportif Matt White.
“We are not the favourites, but we have two guys who are going to challenge the favourites whenever the opportunity arises. On paper we have a really good team, everyone is arriving into the shape they need to be in at the right time.
“It’s quite a interesting course because although the first indication of the overall will come early on stage six on Mt Etna, besides the last week with stages 18-20, there is not more than two days in a row of ‘effort’ for the general classification riders. It’s sporadic and this will make for aggressive racing throughout.”
“I’m really happy to be going back to Italy. When I became professional, I lived in Italy and it has been the place for my toughest moments, but also the most beautiful moments of my career”, said Esteban Chaves.
“Like always, the Giro will be hard but I have been in Colombia training in the last few weeks and the preparation has gone well so we can hope we can find similar form to 2016. This year we have a really good team, we are looking to be competitive and do the best we can, like always.”
Mitchelton-Scott at the 2018 Giro d’Italia: Esteban Chaves, Simon Yates, Sam Bewley, Jack Haig, Chris Juul-Jensen, Roman Kreuziger, Mikel Nieve, Svein Tuft.
