Quick Step hits key Giro stages

Belgian cycling squad Quick Step will head to the key Giro d'Italia stages today, in order to complete a reconnaissance ahead of this May's Grand Tour. The outfit is hoping the weather stays clear as it heads to the Dolomites.

"[We're] hoping that the weather will be on our side," said Sports Director Luca Guercilena. "We'll explore the most important mountain stages. Tomorrow and Thursday we'll be on the Dolomites.

Heading to the reconnaissance with Guercilena is Spaniard Juan Manuel Garate, who wore the white young rider's jersey twice during last year's Giro, young Belgian climber Kevin Seeldrayers and Russian Alexander Efimkin, who finished in the top ten in the recent Paris - Nice.

"First we'll try the course of the 14th stage, which foresees the Manghen Pass and the arrival at Alpe di Pampeago," said Guercilena. "Then it will be time for the big stage from Arabba to Pordoi Pass with the inedited arrival at the Fedaia Pass. On Friday then we'll move on to Val Seriana on the Bergamascan Alps to test the course of the 19th stage with arrival at Monte Pora."