Gee and Bilbao return to Giro, Mas sticks to his approach: "This planning works for me"

Derek Gee and Pello Bilbao have announced their full focus on the 2025 Giro d'Italia. Gee, who found his footing as a GC contender in 2024, is eager to continue his growth, while Bilbao returns to a race where he has found success in the past. Enric Mas was also expected to compete in the Giro but is again opting for his traditional program.  

The 27-year-old Gee was undoubtedly one of the revelations of the season. The Canadian rider for Israel-Premier Tech had already caught the attention in 2023 with numerous near-miss podiums in the Giro and made a significant leap forward in 2024. He surprised many by finishing third at the Critérium du Dauphiné and decided to target the general classification at the Tour de France, where he finished an impressive ninth on his debut.

Gee, who gained prominence in track cycling in recent years, is heading into his third season at the WorldTour level, with the Giro d’Italia marked as a key target. Despite winning the combativity award in the 2023 Giro, he came away without a stage win, motivating him to make his mark in 2025. "His career started in the Giro, so we are excited that he is returning. After top ten in his first Tour, he will continue to develop as a GC rider. In the Tour, he will therefore go for stage victories, in the Giro for the GC," said team manager Kjell Carlström in a press release.

"His career really began at the Giro, so we’re excited to see him return," said team manager Kjell Carlström in a press release. "After a top-ten finish in his first Tour de France, he will continue to develop as a GC rider. In the Tour, he’ll aim for stage wins, but in the Giro, he’s going for the overall classification."

"It's great to be heading back to the Giro," Gee said. "That was where I rode my first Grand Tour, and I still remember how passionate the fans were. This time, I’m coming back with a completely different mindset, but I’m just as excited. There will be a bit more pressure, and my own expectations are higher too. That’s motivating—it’s a chance to prepare thoroughly and aim to finish as high as possible in Rome."

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Derek Gee at the Tour de France

Bilbao also returns to the Giro

For Bahrain Victorious, Pello Bilbao will be the man leading the team at the 2025 Giro. After focusing on Antonio Tiberi in 2024, the experienced Spaniard is getting another chance. Bilbao has a strong history at the Giro, finishing sixth in 2018 and fifth in both 2020 and 2022. He skipped the race in 2023 and 2024 to focus on the Tour de France. In 2023, he achieved great success with a stage win and sixth place overall, but this past season he was forced to abandon early.

In an interview with Relevo, the now 34-year-old Bilbao reflected on Bahrain Victorious’ challenging 2024 season. "It was disappointing, but in 2023, we overperformed as a team. Everything went our way, and in 2024, we faced a lot of issues. I’m really motivated to return to the Giro—it’s the Grand Tour where I feel the most comfortable. I’m always in my element there."

"The Tour has given me a lot, but the Giro has always been special to me," Bilbao continued. At the Giro, he plans to aim for the general classification while also chasing stage wins with his characteristic grinta. "Last season, I lacked the instinct to shine, even when I was at my best. I faced too many setbacks, but that’s part of the sport."

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Pello Bilbao

Enric Mas won't race the Giro d'Italia after all, Spaniard explains his decision, Valverde doesn't understand the choice

At Movistar, Einer Rubio and Nairo Quintana are featured as frontrunners in the Giro. Mas is the notable absentee. Movistar openly flirted with a debut in Italy this winter, but it will be the Tour de France again in combination with the Vuelta a España. He already finished fifth and sixth in the Tour once but also had to drop out twice in the last three years. In the Vuelta, Mas is typically good; in 2018, 2021, and 2022, he finished second, and in the last edition, he finished third. In 2020, he finished fifth, and in 2023, sixth.

So Mas is undoubtedly one of Spain's most consistent GC riders. Yet, men like Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS Grenadiers) and Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) are always busier regarding media moments. Alejandro Valverde, in conversation with Rouleur, understands little of that. "I don't know why they criticize him. 'When he attacks from afar, they criticize him; when he comes up short, they also criticize him. I don't understand it. Enric thinks a lot, so people criticize him," Valverde continued in praise. "The pressure gets to him. It's a little bit of his weak point. It also happened to me: you arrive, and you have the pressure of the team and everyone else behind you, making it harder. But the Tour is the Tour, and the best [Movistar] team for the GC is with Enric, so it also depends on the sponsors."

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On the steep sections in Spain, Enric Mas feels safe

Enric Mas also explained his decision to opt again for the Tour-Vuelta double, which often brings him the most success in the latter race. "I am indeed going to do the Tour and the Vuelta again. Not easy, but this time I hope to start in both races in top form," said the man, who will enter his final year under contract in 2025 and is in talks with the team to AS.

In 2025, Mas also wants to ensure some more wins. "We are short of victories because it is difficult for me to perform well some days, and we need to change that," the Spaniard said. He indicated that he seems especially afraid of trying to peak too early in a year. "I know the Tour-Vuelta double; it's easy for me to plan towards that again. Besides that, I'll ride the Dauphiné, Catalonia, and the Italian autumn classics anyway."

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