Outside the window, the desert unfolds into endless sand, interrupted by some occasional rocks here and there. Our hotel is very isolated and we are in the middle of nowhere. What struck me about Saudi Arabia was the kindness and friendliness of the people, as well as the incredible length of the roads and an almost total absence of curves for miles and miles that never seem to end. 

Perhaps this is why many people think of the Saudi Tour as an easy race with flat stages.Quite the opposite. There are two uphill finishes, and one is really hard. And the wind was a decisive factor in raising the competition’s degree of difficulty. 

I feel pretty good and my condition is good, although of course it’s still not one hundred percent. This year, unlike usual, I preferred to start the season more quietly and then have a peak of form in April and May. So I have focused mainly on strength work and, a few weeks before this race, I also included some threshold or off-threshold work, just to get the body used to the racing pace. After the winter break you always try to get back on track, also in terms of nutrition. Personally, I’d say pasta is a must in my routine. It’s a staple I really appreciate and luckily it’s also perfect for cycling, as it’s a great source of carbs and energy.