DENIA (Spain) – It’s Giulio Ciccone’s turn to open the bici.PRO year and we hope it will be a good omen for him and for all Italian cyclists. The Abruzzo man from Lidl-Trek immediately seemed focused and determined from what we could observe. In other words: before going out on his bike he had asked the very expert mechanic Giuseppe Archetti the height of the saddle, but then he wanted to check it himself and in the end he had it lowered by a millimeter and a half. A height that can only be achieved with the super precise instruments of the WorldTour mechanics.
With Giulio we talk about his 2025 and above all what is to come. Because, apparently, 2026 could be a turning point year. Perhaps the definitive one in which Ciccone will say enough to the general classification in the Grand Tours. Despite everything he will make two. The discussion, therefore, is already quite intriguing.
Giulio, how do we archive 2025?
Like a positive season. Obviously with some ups and downs, but let’s say that the downs were few. The eldest was the crash at the Giro d’Italia and only for this reason I was unable to close the circle of the result. For the rest, in all the other races I managed to do more or less what I wanted.
There is a phrase of yours that struck us: «In the Grand Tours there comes a day when my body never recovers». What does this awareness mean? Does it make you definitively close the chapter on the rankings in the Grand Tours?
It’s more or less like this. But first I want to tell the truth about the Giro d’Italia. This year I’m a bit annoyed because I was put out by a fall in Gorizia, which was stupid, among other things. Once again bad luck, something I can’t control, stopped me. I had been going through my best condition ever for a few weeks. Coming from the podium at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, from the victory at the Tour of the Alps and also at the Giro I was going in the right direction. I had overcome the obstacle of the time trial. In short, going out like that burned me out and I really wanted to see how it would have gone.
Understandable…
I said that phrase during the Vuelta, when I arrived from an already high condition for several weeks. I had been pushing myself too hard all summer between Burgos and San Sebastian. During the Vuelta the moment came when I felt down. In a Grand Tour, unless it is the first event of the season, my body is not made to last three weeks at those levels. It’s a characteristic of mine. There are runners who get excited over the three weeks, but I have to be at my best and fresh especially for that event. If I’m not, I go a little down.
This year the team is even richer in champions, above all the arrival of Juan Ayuso. How do the balances change?
Every year the structure gets bigger and bigger. Now we are truly one of the strongest and most complete teams, so it is normal to have many riders and many leaders. In my case, however, the situation is quite simple.
Why?
Why By taking myself out of the discussion of the general classification, especially in the Grand Tours, I make everything simpler. I will give my support and at the same time I will have my opportunities: stages, week-long races or one-day races. In some races, like the Tour de France, I already know that my role will be to support Ayuso. In the Ardennes, however, we will start with two leadership options. It has already happened in the past and now almost all teams start with two captains. From this point of view I am calm.
And it can be felt…
Also because I no longer have to think about the general classification and I can live it with more serenity. I don’t have the stress of being the leader who has to think of the whole group. The leader is not only the one in the race, but must manage many dynamics within the team. Not to mention that he has to stand there in front and file every day, even when he could perhaps detach himself or get behind him. This matters a lot.
Speaking of the group: you were among those who welcomed Ayuso the most, together with Pedersen. Did you help him settle in?
Yes, that’s true. I have always had a good relationship with Juan. When I saw the news of his arrival I was immediately happy, I didn’t feel annoyed. I immediately supported the team idea. With my new program it’s even better. I think Ayuso needs strong teammates to support him in his plan to win a Grand Tour and I made myself available. This doesn’t mean downsizing or backing down: I simply shifted my goals to other races, while still supporting the team.
Will this new program also affect preparation?
Something certainly changes, especially in the lead-up to the Giro and in the first part of the season. Previously the calendar was set according to the pink race, passing through the Tour of the Alps. This year however I have the chance to do all the Ardennes. The approach and maybe something in the training will change, but in general my way of working will remain the same. I don’t want to upset the system.
How come?
Because last year I arrived at the Giro d’Italia in the condition I wanted. Like I said my best ever. And I would like to get there this year too.
Young group: who could be the surprise?
Albert Phillips – says Ciccone without hesitation – This year he will make a good step. Already at the end of last season he showed that he was there. If he works well, without pressure, he will make another big step forward. During these days of retreat I also noticed the Devo. We have many interesting young people.
Let’s talk about Giro 2026: is there a stage that intrigues you?
There’s more than one. Definitely Abruzzo: for an Abruzzo native it is always special. Then we return to the Blockhaus. To tell the truth, I don’t have great memories there, every time we got there I always got a good slap, so there’s no point in making plans. But I don’t deny that running close to home enhances motivation.
Before going out for training we saw you working on the bike: did you touch up anything?
I’m working with exactly the same position I finished last season with. That millimeter you saw that morning was just a check on the new bike. I always double check the measurements and want it to be perfect like the one at home. I’ve already had my own problems with the saddle so I’m treading carefully.
And what can you tell us about the new Bontrager wheels with high profile and wide channel?
They seem like a good step forward to me. I had excellent sensations and they seem definitely faster.
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