The Youth Team of the Dutch Giant is among the favourite on the starting line of Villa di Cordignano (Italy) on Easter Monday. Tijmen Graat, winner of the Istrian Spring Trophy: “We will attack right away”
Jumbo-Visma Development Team is eager for being back at Giro del Belvedere on Easter Monday, April 10. The strong squad coming from the Netherlands is still looking for its first ever win on the finish line in Villa di Cordignano (Treviso, North-East Italy) and the line-up looks up to the job.
The yellow-black team is taking part in Giro del Belvedere for the third time in a row: so far, the best performance is the bronze medal by former World Junior Champion Per Strand Hagenes, who in 2022 got behind French rising star Romain Grégoire (Groupama FDJ) and runner-up Italian Federico Guzzo (Zalf Euromobil Desirée Fior).
Among Jumbo-Visma’ starters there will be Tijmen Graat, recent winner at the Istrian Spring Trophy and nearly top-10 at Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali.
“We want to control the pace so we will attack from the beginning and set our own. The goal is to win, we have a very strong team and we know we have a great chance. On a personal note, I’m feeling good and confident after those good results lately, but I know there’s still some room for improving my condition”.
“I saw that there’s a new climb this year for the Centennial edition and this suits me and the team very well. I think we will have to watch out mostly from Groupama (the reigning champion team, ed), Bardiani and Eolo Kometa, even though the main focus has to be on ourselves and on our performance”.
On the starting line of Villa di Cordignano, 35 teams will battle it out for the final win. 18 are from Italy with Trentino Cycling Team replacing Campana Imballaggi-Geo & Tex-Trentino, and 17 are international. The turning point of the race, which feats 171 km, will be the traditional climbs of the Conche, Montaner, Via Delle Longhe, and the brand new ascent of Piai della Vigna.
