Preview Giro Donne with Gaia Masetti

AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step prepare for the first Grand Tour of the season. The Giro Donne starts on Friday 30 June and finishes on Sunday 9 July on the island of Sardinia. Lining up for AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step are: Justine Ghekiere (BEL), Britt Knaven (BEL), Ilse Pluimers (NED), Ally Wollaston (NZL), Marthe Goossens (BEL), Maud Rijnbeek (NED) and Gaia Masetti (ITA).

Gaia is our only Italian rider. She is naturally very excited to race a home race where home is taken is the most literal sense of the word.

“It’s a pretty nice course where stage three is actually five kilometers from my home,” Gaia says. “Sadly, we miss all the beautiful climbs in my home area because it’s a flat stage. There are different stages and two or three will be really hard. There is someone for everyone. As a stage race it’s not the hardest without the high mountains but it’s still nine days. Also, the main goal for the biggest names will be the Tour de France but I think it will be challenging and exciting anyways.

I prepared well. My shape was really good a few weeks ago. I crashed in the Tour des Pyrenees and needed stitches so I took some days to recover. So, I missed a few days to let my body rest so after that my coach and I worked extra hard. At this level you can’t miss a few days.

When I look at the route I hope there will be opportunities because the legs are good after the last test at the Italian Championships. I have high expectations of myself, to be honest. I will give my best for the team and for myself. I am really looking forward to this race.

It's nice to ride at home as an Italian and also really close to my home. I hope there will be many people cheering us on and as an Italian you always get some extra cheers. The fans in Italy always feel very close so it’s exciting. It will also be cool to speak a bit of Italian again,” she says with a smile.”

Giro Donne 2023 team and staff

Rensters: Justine Ghekiere, Britt Knaven, Ilse Pluimers, Ally Wollaston, Marthe Goossens, Maud Rijnbeek and Gaia Masetti.

Ploegleiders: Jolien D’hoore and Christian Kos.

Soigneurs: Peter Vermeren, Bart Verholen and Thierry Lampaert.

Mechanics: Oskar Palm and Tri Van Peteghem.

Drivers: Marco Aerts and Kristof Muys.

Fysiotherapist: Jessica Van Melkebeke

Social media manager: Brent Peeters