Team Picnic PostNL coach Rudi Kemna: “Giro Ciclisto della Valle d’Aosta is a tough stage race on the U23 calendar, offering a demanding parcours that is perfectly suited to climbers. This year, the extreme temperatures across much of Europe, including northern Italy, will add another challenge. Managing the heat and keeping our riders as cool as possible will therefore be a key part of our approach throughout the week. We head to the start with a young group of climbers, and for our Development program this is another valuable opportunity to continue building on the fundamentals of racing together. Our focus will be on teamwork, communication, and making smart decisions day by day. At the same time, we want to race proactively, look for opportunities when they arise, and use this demanding race as another important step in the development of the group.”