The withdrawal of Ewan and Pedersen offers opportunities for other Vuelta sprinters: "I see potential there"

One of those riders is Arne Marit, the designated sprinter for Intermarché-Wanty. In de Leiderstrui spoke with him at the team presentation in Lisbon, where he was candid about his chances and ambitions. "I’m mainly focused on the first week. Stages two and three will be the main opportunities, along with stages five and seven. For me, it’s about surviving until stage seventeen, where there might be another chance. But yes, this Vuelta is mostly for the climbers," says the friendly Belgian.

This is also evident in the start list, which features noticeably few fast men. "Originally, riders like Caleb Ewan and Mads Pedersen were on the list, and I thought, ah yes, that’s good, then we don’t have to control the race. But it’s also good that two strong competitors are out, so I see potential there."

Marit has meticulously prepared for this Vuelta. "I had a high-altitude training camp in Tignes, and then I spent some time in an altitude tent. I haven’t raced much, but I’ve trained at high intensity. That should pay off in the first week. I feel really good, so I’m looking forward to it," he says.

With the course in mind, he approached his training in a smart way. "I specifically trained for the hilly terrain. At altitude in Tignes, but also at home, I did some more specific VO2-max training. The longer efforts, because we know that sprints could come after a tough race. The numbers were good, so I hope I can hit those here too. Then I should be able to hang on for those hills," he notes.

It hasn’t been the easiest year for Marit, with an ankle fracture as a low point. "Overall, it’s been a year of struggle, with that crash in the Scheldeprijs. Up until Catalonia, everything was going smoothly: I had already sprinted to two nice podiums, so that was a step forward. Then I was out for a long time, trying to regain good form."

"That’s why I also rode the Tour of Switzerland, to build some fitness," he continues. "At the Belgian Championships, I felt really good, but unfortunately, there were no more races. So, you have to go back to altitude, train, and so on."

Marit has ridden one grand tour so far, the 2023 Giro. There, he demonstrated his ability to win a stage in a grand tour. "In that first sprint stage, where I finished fourth, I gained a lot of confidence. But especially in stage seventeen, where I dropped my chain, I really felt like I could compete for the win. I’m here with a bit of a sense of revenge: a podium would be nice, but winning would be the cherry on top," he dares to dream.

But good legs are essential for that. How do they compare to last year’s Giro? "If I look at the wattage, I’m just a bit better. But of course, you never know, since I have little reference. But normally, the autumn is always my best period of the year," he says confidently.