GIRO NEWS: Knox Named in Quickstep Lineup

Cumbria’s James Knox joins João Almeida and Remco Evenepoel in Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s line up for the 104th Giro d’Italia

GIRO NEWS: Knox Named in Quickstep Lineup

Bookended by individual time trials, this year’s Giro d’Italia will start from Torino and finish in Milano, after almost 3500 kilometers. In between, the race will put on the table several opportunities for the sprinters, a stage on Tuscany’s white roads, and a plethora of daunting climbs – Monte Zoncolan, Passo Fedaia, Passo Pordoi, Passo Giau, Passo San Bernardino and Sega di Ala being just a few examples.

In 2020, João Almeida made his Grand Tour debut at the Giro and ended the race as its revelation, after an incredible three weeks, which saw him carry the iconic maglia rosa for 15 consecutive days and conclude the race fourth overall. Now, the Portuguese rider will return at the start hoping to be again one of the protagonists, although he acknowledges that the parcours could make for a much different race.

“Last year it was an incredible Giro. The team put in a huge effort in what was an amazing but at the same time hard three weeks. We fought for a good result, and in the end, I finished fourth on the GC. I would like to be up there again, fight for a nice result and keep a good feeling, which is the most important thing. Hopefully, things will go well and we’ll score some nice results. This year, the mountain stages are going to play a more important role in the final outcome, which means consistency will be the key”, said the 22-year-old.

After being forced to postpone his Grand Tour debut last season because of an injury, Remco Evenepoel is now ready to make his first appearance in a three-week race. This will mark his first competitive outing of the season, to which the 21-year-old looks very much forward. “I’m happy to race again after such a long period, during which I worked hard to be ready for my first Grand Tour. Being my first race since last August means that we’ll need to see how my body will react. We will take it day by day and see how things go. The most important thing is that I am back with my teammates and staff again, which makes me very happy”, said the young Belgian.

Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s line-up for the 104th edition of the Corsa Rosa will be completed by French ITT Champion Rémi Cavagna, Mikkel Honoré, 2015 stage winner Iljo Keisse, James Knox, Fausto Masnada – who was third at last week’s Tour de Romandie – and Pieter Serry.

“We go to the Giro with a good team after a very beautiful outing at the 2020 edition, when João got to spend 15 unforgettable days in the pink jersey. There will be some difficult stages already in the first week, and we mustn’t forget the Montalcino stage, which will have 35 kilometers of dirt roads. Like every Grand Tour, the last week will be the hardest and the most important, scheduling many brutal climbs. Overall, we expect a tough race, but we are all motivated for it”, explained Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati.

8-30 May | Giro d’Italia (ITA) 2.UWT

Riders
João Almeida (POR)
Rémi Cavagna (FRA)
Remco Evenepoel (BEL)
Mikkel Honoré (DEN)
Iljo Keisse (BEL)
James Knox (GBR)
Fausto Masnada (ITA)
Pieter Serry (BEL)

Sports Director Davide Bramati (ITA)
Klaas Lodewyck (BEL)
Geert Van Bondt (BEL)

Website www.giroditalia.it

Stages
May
8th – Stage 1 Torino – Torino 8.6 km (ITT)
9th – Stage 2 Stupinigi – Novara 179.0 km
10th – Stage 3 Biella – Canale 190.0 km
11th – Stage 4 Piacenza – Sestola 187.0 km
12th – Stage 5 Modena – Cattolica 177.0 km
13th – Stage 6 Grotte di Frasassi – Ascoli Piceno 160.0 km
14th – Stage 7 Notaresco – Termoli 181.0 km
15th – Stage 8 Foggia – Guardia Sanframondi 170.0 km
16th – Stage 9 Castel di Sangro – Campo Felice 158.0 km
17th – Stage 10 L’Aquila – Foligno 139.0 km
18th – Rest Day
19th – Stage 11 Perugia – Montalcino 162.0 km
20th – Stage 12 Siena – Bagno di Romagna 212.0 km
21st – Stage 13 Ravenna – Verona 198.0 km
22nd – Stage 14 Cittadella – Monte Zoncolan 205.0 km
23rd – Stage 15 Grado – Gorizia 147.0 km
24th – Stage 16 Sacile – Cortina d’Ampezzo 212.0 km
25th – Rest Day
26th – Stage 17 Canazei – Sega di Ala 193.0 km
27th – Stage 18 Rovereto – Stradella 231.0 km
28th – Stage 19 Abbiategrasso – Alpe di Mera (Valsesia) 176.0 km
29th – Stage 20 Verbania – Valle Spluga / Alpe Motta 164.0 km
30th – Stage 21 Senago – Milano 30.3 km (ITT)