Verbrugghe: I want to win a stage of the Giro

Due to sickness Cofidis' Rik Verbrugghe was forced to miss the hillier classics like Amstel Gold and Liege - Bastogne - Liege. But the Belgian believes that his condition is good enough to make an assault on the Giro, according to Sporza.

Verbrugghe , who wore the leaders pink jersey in the Italian race in 2001 after winning the prologue feels that a number of the stages suit him. "The first week is pretty hard and there are definitely chances for a break to go clear," he explained.

"The mountains are really hard, but in between there are some interesting stages. There are plenty of chances."

"I am hoping for a stage win," he wrote on the Vélo Club website, the club where he is a member.

"My condition is down a little due to sickness, but the feeling in my legs is good again."

Verbrugghe also confirmed that he is down to skip the Tour de France in favour of riding the Vuelta. "I will ride the Tour of Spain this year. But I am not sure of what I will use in the build up."

"I will ride the Tour of Switzerland and the Belgian championships in Knokke-Heist. If I am going to the Worlds? I would love to. Hopefully the condition will be there after the Vuelta."

Verbrugghe's contract with Cofidis ends this year but the 34 year old hopes to continue after that. "I would like to continue for two more years. But the most important thing is that I avoid too many years."