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Tom Dumoulin will not rule out Giro-Tour double in 2018

Dutchman could line-up in both Italy and France in 2018

Tom Dumoulin bossed the race with strong time trial performances

25-05-2017 Giro D'italia; Tappa 18 Moena - Ortisei; 2017, Team Sunweb; Dumoulin, Tom; Ortisei;

While the eyes of the cycling world are focused on following the ongoing sega surrounding Chris Froome’s fight for innocence over his September failed doping control from the Vuelta a España, most of the peloton have turned their attention to preparing for the 2018 season. One of the most intriguing riders to keep an eye on is Tom Dumoulin who is set for a title defense at the Giro d’Italia where Canadian Michael Woods is also scheduled to line-up .

Dumoulin, who announced he would be at the Giro start in Italy at his team’s presentation earlier this month, is not ready to rule out also racing the Tour de France which many speculated he would after he won the Giro in 2017.

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“In my eyes a lot of riders have made the mistake in the past by focusing on both the Giro and the Tour from the start of the season,” Dumoulin told De Telegraaf perhaps referencing Nairo Quintana who finished second to the Dutchman in the Giro last year before limping to 12th at the Tour.

“As a result, they were probably already in the Giro with the classification in the Tour in mind. That is a mindset that does not work. I think you should focus completely on the Giro and only then have to look further,” he said.

However, with an extra week in between the Giro and Tour in 2018 because of the World Cup of soccer schedule, Dumoulin has not ruled out riding in France.

Dumoulin

“I think it is not impossible to combine the two tours”, according to the individual time trial world champion who wants to target the Giro because it presents a more favourable route with a 9.7 km opening time trial in Jerusalem and a 34.5 km time trial in the Trento valley during the last week of the race. “Certainly because there is a week extra this year because of the World Cup, that offers more possibilities.”

Chris Froome has expressed his intention of racing in both Italy and France if he is permitted. It’s Froome’s former Team Sky teammate Mikel Landa who won the climber’s classification and finished four at the Tour who has presented a bit of inspiration for Dumoulin to consider racing both grand tours in the same year.

The Dutchman will hope to cap his season again in  Innsbruck where a hilly circuit will once again favour his strengths.