After a disrupted spring campaign, Kaden Groves is set to return to racing at the Giro d’Italia, where he lines up with clear ambitions and a strong sprint support around him.

The Australian’s season took a hit after a crash in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Although he managed to finish that race, the aftermath forced him to step away from competition soon after. “It started with a knock to the patella in Omloop, which then developed into a friction injury,” Groves explains. ”Together with the team's medical staff, we decided to take some time off and skip the classics. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the right call."

Importantly, the injury was unrelated to his previous knee issues. “This was purely from the impact of the crash. It’s not an overuse problem or something recurring, so that gave confidence in the recovery.” Instead of chasing form during the spring, Groves and the team shifted focus early towards a Giro comeback. The past weeks were all about rebuilding.

“I’ve been at altitude with the team and I’ve arrived here in Bulgaria at a good level. I feel happy, ready to go, and we have a strong team around me.” That confidence translates immediately into ambition. With sprint opportunities expected from the opening stages, Groves doesn’t plan on easing into the race. “We already look at stage one as a possibility for a bunch sprint. So we go for it straight away.”

Sprint battles
The competition, however, will be fierce. The Giro brings together a stacked field of fast men. "I think Jonathan Milan is the main favourite for both stages and the ciclamino jersey," Groves says. "He already has the experience here. But with guys like Magnier, Andresen, De Lie and some others, including myself, it’s going to be a really strong sprint field."

Groves himself isn’t shying away from that challenge, quite the opposite. "You can expect a high level in the sprints. That’s what makes it exciting." To navigate those chaotic finales, Groves will rely on a well-balanced lead-out train combining experience and youth. “Edward Planckaert, Jensen Plowright and Jonas Geens will support me in the sprints. It’s a good mix, and having experienced guys there makes a big difference." That structure is crucial in a race where positioning often decides everything.

While some sprinters already hint at leaving the Giro early to save energy for the Tour de France, Groves keeps his focus simple. “After the Giro, normally I’ll go to the Tour. But first, we focus fully on this race.” 

As for the points classification, he remains realistic. "To go for the ciclamino jersey, you need to chase intermediate sprints consistently over three weeks. But a stage win is the first priority. After that, we keep going. Whether it’s more sprint stages for me or opportunities for the team from breakaways, we want to be successful.”

Gianni Meersman: “Kaden is our main weapon”
What Kaden Groves already indicated is fully backed within the team. Sports director Gianni Meersman is clear about the ambitions heading into the race. "We come here with one clear goal: to go for stage wins,” says Meersman. "And it’s no secret that Kaden is our best weapon for that. He has already won stages in all three Grand Tours and brings a lot of experience. So he’s our main card to play.”

There is, however, one small question mark after his disrupted spring. “We have to wait and see how Kaden responds after some time without racing. That race rhythm can always be a factor,” Meersman says. “But at the same time, we know from experience that this doesn’t have to be a major problem. Kaden is a rider who can grow into a Grand Tour and improve as the race goes on."

“Within the sprint setup, the roles are clearly defined. Edward Planckaert will be Groves’ final lead-out rider, with Jonas Geens and Jensen Plowright playing key roles in the build-up. In the final kilometres before the sprint, Johan Price-Pejtersen and Tobias Bayer will be crucial in positioning the team”, says Meersman. “Our Italian riders Francesco Busatto and Luca Vergallito will focus more on the more hilly stages, looking for opportunities from early breakaways.”

(Photo: ©Mr.Pinko)