For the 33-year-old Hirt, who took second place in the Tour of Oman at the beginning of this season, this will be his seventh participation in the Italian Giro. Two years ago, still in the colors of Intermarché, he flashed sixth place in the overall standings. Last year, just like Černý, he had to withdraw after the tenth stage due to covid infection, which is why the current leader and teammate Remco Evenepoel also retired.
With the star Belgian missing from the Quick-Step line-up this time, Hirt could be given a freer hand and either attack for victory in one of the mountain stages or try to fight in the overall standings.
Three years younger, Černý will ride the Giro for the fourth time. He should try to break away and will also be part of the sprint trains that will try to set up a good position for Tim Merlier in the flat stages. The biggest star of the team is the 31-year-old Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe.
Since saying goodbye to his career, Zdeněk Štybar has not stopped yet. With excessive energy, you have to walk to discharge itVideo: Sport.cz
All teams have already announced the complete rosters for the first Grand Tour of the season. Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar is a huge favorite for the pink jersey. His main competitors, defending champion Primož Roglič, Jonas Vingegaard or Evenepoel, are preparing for the Tour de France.
Pogačar will be challenged by, for example, the experienced 37-year-old Briton Geraint Thomas, who missed out on victory at last year’s Giro at the expense of Roglič only in the final time trial. Australian Ben O’Connor, Frenchman Romain Bardet, Colombian Daniel Felipe Martínez, Italian Damiano Caruso or young Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks should also go for the overall ranking.
