Giro D’Italia Time Trial
Canadian Svein Tuft and Michael Barry are racing the 93rd edition of the Giro D'Italia.
The first stage of the first Grand Tour of the cycling season kicked off today in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The 8.4 kilometer time trial course kicked off the racing at this year’s Giro D’Italia. Canadians Michael Barry (Sky Professional Team) and Svein Tuft (Garmin-Transitions) lined up in Amsterdam to start this three week stage race. Tuft finished in 17th position and Barry finished in 70th position. The Sunday stage of 209 kilometers from Amsterdam to Utrecth will take the riders along a tight and twisty course that features the races first two categorized climbs.
After racing the prologue today, Tuft sent along an email with the following insights into this race:
How does it feel knowing you’re going to race in one of the most famous stage races?
The Giro has a long tradition of being one of the hardest of the Grand tours, so I’m pretty happy to take part.
What has your preparation been for the Giro?
After my crash and concussion in the Tou of Flanders I took some time off and then was lucky enough to do 4 days of Romandie which got me back into racing form again. Went to Girona with the rest of the team and worked on some TTT workouts. A long mountain ride on Sunday and recovery all week.
The Giro is pretty famous for its climbs and the overall intensity – how do you prepare mentally for such racing?
I think with a race like the Giro, you have to look at the race in sections and make your goals as you go. For us there is a big emphasis on this first week with the TTT and the sprinting days in Holland. Then we will go from there and look at the stages as they come.
You’re riding some pretty good form right now – how are you feeling going into this race?
My form is on its way back up right now so, I’m looking to get better and better as the race goes on.
What will your role be for the team at this race?
My role at this race is to look after our key guys in this first week and give everything in the TTT. Like I said before we will look at each day from there on out. Right now our focus is making sure we can get that jersey.
