'There's not one thing I'm scared of' – Felix Gall aims high at the Giro d'Italia after strong first week

Felix Gall has emerged as one of the standout performers in this year’s Giro d’Italia, marking a significant milestone as the first Austrian rider to be so highly placed in a Grand Tour after the opening week. At 28 years old, Gall has exceeded both expectations and those of many other general classification contenders, positioning himself as a credible challenger to race leader Afonso Eulálio and, notably, to Jonas Vingegaard. Despite his strong showing, Gall remains grounded, aware that the race is far from over and that crucial stages, including a demanding 42km time trial, lie ahead. Gall currently trails Eulálio by nearly three minutes but is just 35 seconds behind Vingegaard, the Danish rider widely regarded as one of the best Grand Tour competitors alongside Tadej Pogačar. Gall has consistently matched Vingegaard’s attacks on the climbs, maintaining contact where others have lost significant time. He acknowledges Vingegaard’s formidable qualities, describing him as a complete rider with no apparent weaknesses, supported by a strong team and possessing a punchy racing style. This respect underscores the challenge Gall faces in trying to dislodge the Dane from the race lead. Looking ahead, the upcoming time trial poses a critical test for Gall, who admits that the discipline is not his forte. He has made recent adjustments to his time trial position to improve comfort and aerodynamics, aiming for a sustainable effort over the flat Tuscan course. Gall is realistic about the possibility of losing time to his rivals but hopes to minimise any losses and maintain his overall standing. His pragmatic approach reflects both his ambition and the recognition of the challenges that remain in the race. Gall’s ultimate goal remains an ambitious podium finish at the Giro, a target he has held since the start of the race. Achieving this would represent a major step forward in his career and a historic achievement for Austrian cycling. With two weeks of racing still to come, Gall’s performance will be closely watched as he battles some of the sport’s top talents in one of cycling’s most prestigious events.