Diego Ulissi returned in a rather unimpressive style from his nine-month suspension at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco last month. Before testing positive for Salbutamol, the 25-year old Italian won two stages of last season's Giro d'Italia, and even though his preparations for this year's edition were far from perfect, he aims to be there in the second week of rivalry.
Lacking sufficient number of race kilometers in legs, Ulissi lined up at the start of his home grand tour event with very optimistic attitude.
„I'm not at one hundred percent at the start of the Giro. I think I will need another seven to ten days to reach my peak condition,” Ulissi told WielerFlits.
Lampre-Merida rider aims to hit his top form for the second week of competition, packed with hilly stages tailor made to suit his characteristics. He modestly targets one stage victory, though, suggesting that repeating his last year's Salbutamol-boosted achievement may be unrealistic in his current condition.
„I look forward to hilly stages which suit my characteristics. In the second week we will head to the north and there are going to be some opportinities for me in the Apennines. I won't point out to any particular stage, but there are several possibilities.”
„Let me focus on one stage victory first, then we'll see,” he concluded.
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