Living in Tirana and racing in Oudenaarde for the KD Bikes-Doltcini CT: this is Ylber Sefa, 11-time national cycling champion in Albania, both in the road race and time trial. Ylber Sefa proudly talks about the great start of the Giro d'Italia in his homeland and is convinced that the pink race will have a driving effect on the Albanian cycling movement.

«Hosting the start of the Giro d'Italia is the best way for my small country to advertise itself – Ylber Safa explained, who is currently in Tirana – For our beaches, for our nature, for the numerous archaeological sites we have. But certainly also for the people we are. The images that will be broadcast will be fantastic advertising. Our prime minister has done a fantastic job in bringing the Giro to Albania. And for Albanians themselves, this is a milestone».

Born in Tirana in 1991, he arrived in Belgium when he was just 15 years old and learned to ride a bike on the roads of cyclists like Van Aert and Remco Evenepoel, realizing the great dream of being the first Albanian to race in Belgium, considered by many to be the home of cycling.

«I am happy for all Albanians, because thanks to the Giro they will have the opportunity to see the stars of my sport, who are usually only seen on television. Now instead they have the chance to see them racing in our country».

Foreign starts of grand tours are always an important attraction for cycling enthusiasts, who in this way have the opportunity to see new places. Albania has the opportunity these days to show itself to the whole world and will try to maximize the opportunities to increase both tourism and sports development, with a special focus on cycling.

«Many people don't know that cycling has a tradition dating back a long time in Albania. The Tour of Albania was first organized in 1922 and only the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia are older. I spoke with the president of the Albanian federation and he absolutely wants me to participate in the next Tour of Albania with my Belgian team, the KD Bikes-Doltcini CT, at the end of this month».

Albania, due to the old regime, remained cut off for a long time from commercial relations and tourist and cultural investments. In recent years, recovery has begun with a policy aimed at developing the tertiary sector, and the Giro d'Italia is a way for the small Mediterranean country to make itself known.

«Unfortunately, cycling was unable to develop further during that period and has also gone through ups and downs – Ylber Sefa continued – The current cycling federation is doing a good job, taking the initiative. I hope the arrival of the Giro encourages many of my compatriots to ride a bike. Moreover, Albanians see many tourists crossing the country and cities by bicycle. I myself have been the champion of my country many times, and I'm only 34 years old. I hope to continue for a few more years and see the growth of this sport».

Sefa lives in Flanders, where he has found great support, and for this reason, he would be happy to see a Belgian rider in the pink jersey. «It would be nice to see Wout van Aert in the pink jersey and I think it's still possible. After yesterday's second place, the time trial is even more suitable for him, while the third stage, I fear, will be a bit too difficult for him, because the last climb is very hard, more than ten kilometers with an average of seven percent».