2021 Giro d’Italia

On GC favourites this year in 2021: ‘’It's difficult to choose just one because of so much uncertainty. For now the only one who has shown 100% that he is in good shape is Yates after a great participation in the Tour of the Alps. Then we can say that Mikel Landa's start to the season has been good, although the level has not been so outstanding. I would definitely not forget Egan Bernal and Remco Evenepoel. We know that Evenepoel is capable of absolutely everything, although he hasn't competed since Lombardy due to physical problems. And on the other hand Bernal who already knows what it is to win the Tour de France and having overcome the physical problems he had I think he is one of the favourites.''

On the most important stages this year: ‘’We already know that places like the Mortirolo or the Zoncolan often decide the group of favourites to win the race. This year will be no different, but this year's route is very tiring and with the stage on the last day it will be difficult for anyone to be sure of victory well in advance.''

On the Giro being a race for the individual: ‘’The Giro d'Italia is the perfect race to shine individually and to forget more about the role of the whole team. Of the three Grand Tours, it is the ideal opportunity to get a great performance from individual riders.''

On the time trials in stages 1 and 21: ‘’Knowing that the last stage is a 29.4 km time trial, it's clear that it will be a really tough finish to the race. It's true that the last day of a race as complicated as the Giro d'Italia and the wear and tear that this year's route causes in all the participants makes the equality between the specialists grow because arriving at the last day with everything sorted out is going to be very complicated and there will be a lot of fighting.''

On the chances of Deceuninck-QuickStep: ‘’For stages, the Giro d'Italia is perfect for the team [Deceuninck-QuickStep]. They are masters in this modality and for sure they will achieve several victories. For the general classification it's different because this race is ideal for not having a team. The stages are so hard that the team takes a back seat in many moments because of the steepness of many places. The Italian teams tend to take responsibility quite quickly, but the race takes care of separating all the riders.’’

On crowds impacting the climbs at the Giro this year: “I don't think the lack of spectators in general will affect the peloton too much. It's something that athletes are getting used to and we see it in many other races on the calendar. The Giro d'Italia traditionally has a big weight in terms of fans because we know how crowded the Zoncolan is and what that does. But we are talking about great professionals who adapt to any circumstances and the lack of people in the stages is now much more normal than 6 months ago. It's rare to see a Giro d'Italia like this but I don't think it's the reason that will decide who will be the winner this year''.

On the team backed by the Alberto Contador Foundation Eolo-Kometa: ‘’We are approaching the race in our first year with a team that has a very low average age. Obviously we are competing against more professionally consolidated teams, so the objective is to compete and do well. We are going to Italy thinking that we have done a very good job and we are convinced that we will have an important role in the race and little by little we will grow, but always with enthusiasm.''.

Memories of riding the Giro during his career

On his memories of winning the Giro: ‘’Winning the Giro d'Italia is an unforgettable feeling. The first one I won I did almost without expecting it or planning it.  It was a last-minute call from Johan Bruyneel when I wasn't on the list to go racing. Circumstances meant that I went to race and as the race went on I was able to win and that was unbelievable for me. Besides, we are talking about a race in which it always rains a lot and you have to work hard for every victory. Besides, I remember a huge affection from the fans that helped me to change my plans during that race and the appreciation that I still have today for that race.’’

On whether he regrets retiring too early: ''Honestly, no. I always thought I wanted to retire with a good feeling. I always thought I wanted to retire with a good feeling. Obviously we are talking about a very difficult challenge because you never know how you will be physically in the future and if you can compete longer than you think. I went to that edition of La Vuela and I did it my way and I won the Angliru. I probably could have competed longer, but honestly, seeing that life gave me a farewell like the one I lived and I think that means a lot. Just as Eurosport is a therapy for me now that I'm not competing, thinking about that retirement also helps me to know that last moment that I lived in cycling. That doesn't mean that sometimes you don't feel nostalgic to go back to racing, but I'll keep what I did and I would decide the same thing again.’’

On his favourite Giro d’Italia stage: ‘’I would say that the most beautiful stage I rode is the one where I arrived with my former team-mate Paolo Tiralongo. We were and are great friends and I remember that stage with great affection for having been able to reach the end of the stage together. And where I suffered the most was undoubtedly on the Mortirolo... it's a deadly route and on many occasions I had a really bad time. It was without doubt one of the biggest challenges of my career.’’

On his favourite climb in Italy: ‘’Just as I said that the Mortirolo is where I have suffered the most, I also recognise that I like it the most. It's strange, I know, but where I've suffered the most I've had the most joy in terms of sacrifice. I know all that area and other places like the Stelvio or the Gavia well and I know that they were places that were a challenge for me. They are very hard places, some of the worst, but that's the essence of this race.’’

General

On whether the younger generation of riders (including Pogacar and Evenepoel) will have long careers or burn out sooner: ‘’This question can only be answered by consistency and time. On a physical level because you have to see how long they can be at the level they are showing. But on the other hand the psychological element. Professional sport and a discipline like cycling entails responsibility, tension and sacrifices to be in top condition that can only be achieved with effort. We give up a lot of things and that for five or ten years is not the same as for twenty years. It's a lottery, but hopefully we can enjoy this new generation for a long time. They are superstars of this sport with special training and it's not possible to make predictions like in previous decades.''

On the legacy of Chris Froome: ‘’I think every athlete is different and has different qualities. For example, I would say that in terms of legacy or inheritance, there are elements that are picked up by the new generations. It happened to me with Pantani that I was fascinated by his way of attacking and in a certain way I wanted to be like him. Marco would break the race at any moment and revolutionise any stage. That mentality helped me to be brave and to dare to do things when nobody expected it and I hope that this kind of thing will also reach future athletes who decide to dedicate themselves to this sport.’’

On his relationship with Eurosport: “It makes a balance that for me is unbeatable. Eurosport has been a great therapy for me because it allows me to continue to be linked to the world of cycling. That feeling that any professional athlete who loves to compete has is less thanks to my role in Eurosport because I continue to enjoy this sport. It's the best way for me to continue to live cycling as I like to do.’’