What's in Giulio Ciccone's suitcase, who left for Bilbao last night and the third Tour of his career? For the newlywed Abruzzese and his former Trek-Segafredo teammates, There is definitely a lot of empty space in the suitcaseThe new jerseys of the Lidl Trek they actually travelled aboard a van, driven by Stefano Devicenzi, from Santini marketing. Today is the day of the official presentation, which will take place in a Lidl store in Bilbao.
«Knowing my fear of flying – jokes Ciccone – I would have gone by car to the Basque Country tooAnyway, we're off now. I'm recovering from the heat of the Italian championship and from the whole week. Getting married was beautiful and a great commitment too…».
What's always in Ciccone's suitcase when he leaves for the Tour?
As mentioned, this is a rather unusual moment. The new sponsor is coming, so we have to have pretty much everything. Actually, we're not the only ones. For many, there are uniforms that change color, now. The Tour is the time of year when you find yourself with another suitcase with all the new uniforms. So we will soon receive the entire race kit.
What else is in the suitcase?
My pillow is always there and also the mat to do stretching. It's a memory pillow, I use it every day at home and when I go away, I take it with me, to always sleep comfortably. I think that even at the Tour we will change the mattresses every day, so at least sleep is safe (laughs, ed.).
You mentioned the stretching mat. Can you do it every day?
I bring the mat, ball and roller, so I can do all the exercises. Captain of the days when you have super tight schedules, both after the stage and the morning before the start. On those days you can't do anything else. But out of 21 stages, there are 15-16 where I can stretch..
What else is in the suitcase?
Very normal things, rest clothes and also an unofficial outfit for the last evening in ParisThat can't be missed.
Computer to watch movies?
I carry it, but I don't have a series that I'm following. I open Netflix and choose what inspires me from time to time. I started watching the Tour series, I think I only saw two episodes, to be honest, then I stopped. Not because I didn't like it, but just because the wedding preparations and a thousand other things have begun, so I didn't have any more time.
Did you also pack some good intentions in your suitcase?
A stage win is still the cherry on top. It would be the best resolution. Then there's the polka dot jersey, but it would also be fine… just to win a stage, because at the Tour the competition for the polka-dotted jersey is very high, so you have to plan where to get it, how to defend it. I haven't studied the stages yet, the bulk will be seen day by dayAt first glance, there isn't one in particular that caught my attention...
If you want to dream big, the first stage has 3.000 meters of elevation gain and awards the yellow jersey.
Certainly it's hardA small group should arrive, but I don't want to expose myself and say exaggerated things (smiles, ed.)
Are you arriving at the Tour in the shape you wanted?
I'm starting in good condition, but it can still improve. I'm getting there well, I have good margins in the immediate future and still have some good years to do great things.We've started this year well, we're on the right track. I've changed the way I train, both in terms of quality and quantity. Basically, I work much harder, I train more.But I didn't just change my physical preparation, we also worked on the food supply. It's all different.
What's your fondest memory of your wedding in France, aside from the wedding ring?
Certainly the wait, because the bride made us wait more than half an hour, then the amazement when I saw her enter the church.
What does Annabruna say now, since she'll have to wait for you for the next three weeks?
He has known for a while what work I do and what kind of life I lead, he knows my program and is happy. And then he will join me for the day of rest.
Why did you get married in June and not in November or December like riders usually do?
Because November is the worst month of the year for me. It's cold, the sky is gray and ugly, it makes me sad. Instead, I wanted to get married in a beautiful, happy month, with sun, joy and a wonderful sea.. Actually, the original plan was for me to do the Giro and then take a break to prepare for the Vuelta, so there was plenty of time for the wedding. Instead I didn't do the Giro and the Tour came up and before that the Dauphiné and the Italian one. All in all, I had a little detour, but nothing I couldn't handle.
