UAE Team Emirates have unveiled the team heading into the Giro d’Italia (6-28 May), departing from Fossacesia, Chieti before embarking on a 3-week adventure finishing in Rome.
Leading the hopes the General Classification will be Joao Almeida while Pascal Ackermann will lead the line in the of sprints. Jay Vine makes his Giro d’Italia debut and will provide a strong lieutenant for Almeida and may see his own chances open-up depending how the race develops.
Almeida has unfinished business at the Giro, having gone home on stage 18 through illness last year while sitting in 4th spot overall. This year the 24-year old will be looking to go the distance.
“After the disappointing end to this race last year I’m definitely hungry to come back and fight for a big result”, said Almeida.
“The preparation for the Giro has gone really well. I think I’ve been really consistent this year and we’ve just done a big block of great training at altitude in Sierra Nevada, Spain so as a group we are in a great place both physically and mentally.”
“Naturally my aim is to do a good GC but we also have Pascal for the sprints and some guys who have won stages here at the Giro before. I think we are in for a great race.”
UAE Team Emirates at the Giro d’Italia: Joao Almeida (Por), Pascal Ackermann (Ger), Alessandro Covi (Ita), Ryan Gibbons (RSA), Davide Formolo (Ita), Brandon McNulty (USA), Diego Ulissi (Ita), Jay Vine (Aus)
