He is certainly not the first, and will certainly not be the last sprinter who chooses the Giro d'Italia to chase an important result but already know before the start that their experience will last a week or little more.

Kurt Van de Wouwer, sports director of Lotto-Intermarché, officially confirmed today that Belgian sprinter Arnaud De Lie will participate in both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, but the pink race will certainly be short for him. 

«Several factors influenced the decision to participate in the Giro, starting with the fact that in the first week there are three excellent opportunities for Arnaud to win a stage and among these also the opening stage, with the opportunity to wear the pink jersey».

Certainly De Lie's road, contrary to what the saying goes, will not lead to Rome: «Arnaud needs race kilometers to reach optimal condition. Racing the first part of the Giro d'Italia (approximately seven days of racing, unlikely he will face the Blockhaus, editor's note) represents an ideal choice on the road leading to the Tour de France. Like last year, his schedule then includes participation in the Tour de Suisse from June 17 to 21, but we are also evaluating the opportunity to field him at the start of the Tour de Wallonie at the beginning of June 5».