'Our best weapon' – Back from injury, Kaden Groves leads Alpecin-Premier Tech chase for stage wins at the Giro d'Italia

Kaden Groves returns to competition at the Giro d’Italia after a challenging start to the season, which saw him miss the Spring Classics due to a knee injury sustained in a crash at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Despite limited racing this year, Groves arrives in good form following altitude training with Alpecin-Premier Tech and is eager to target stage wins from the outset. The Australian sprinter, who boasts two previous Giro stage victories, is confident in his readiness and the strength of his team, setting his sights on a strong performance from stage one. The injury that sidelined Groves was not due to overuse but rather a patella knock that developed into a friction issue, allowing the team to remain optimistic about his recovery. Sports director Gianni Meersman highlighted Groves as the team’s primary weapon for stage wins, noting his experience across all three Grand Tours. However, Meersman also acknowledged the challenge posed by Groves’ limited race rhythm this season and the presence of formidable rivals such as Jonathan Milan, who has already claimed multiple Giro stage victories and is a favourite for the sprinter’s jersey. Groves faces a competitive sprint field including riders like Paul Magnier, Tobias Lund Andresen, and Arnaud De Lie. The Alpecin-Premier Tech sprint train will rely on a mix of seasoned and new lead-out riders, with Edward Planckaert serving as Groves’ final lead-out man, supported by Jonas Geens and Jensen Plowright in the build-up. Meanwhile, Johan Price-Pejtersen and Tobias Bayer will play key roles in positioning the team during the final kilometres, while Italian teammates Francesco Busatto and Luca Vergallito will target breakaways on hillier stages. Although the sprinter’s jersey is not the primary goal, Groves is committed to focusing fully on the Giro before turning his attention to the Tour de France. His resilience is underlined by a record of completing six out of seven Grand Tours he has entered, signalling his intent to compete throughout the race rather than withdrawing early to conserve energy. This approach reflects both his ambition and the team’s strategy to maximise stage-winning opportunities during the three-week event.