The BMC Racing Team will ride the 2010 Giro d'Italia in support of Australian Cadel Evans. The reigning world champion answers questions about the 21-stage, 3,418-kilometer race, his preparation and expectations.

You haven't ridden the Giro d'Italia since 2002. What do you remember about the race and how different is it from the Tour de France?

I have not ridden the Giro for eight years, and back then I rode it with the Italian team, Mapei. I am guessing it has changed since. In 2002, it was very much an Italian-focused race. Now, along with most of cycling, I expect the Giro, like the Tour de France, to have a more international audience.

Ever since the beginning of the season you have said that you are targeting the 2010 Giro d'Italia. What you have learned from your preparations?

The 2010 Giro has some incredible mountains. Plan de Corones, Monte Zoncolan and the higher peaks, Mortirolo and the Gavia pass. It also has some interesting stages, particularly the Strada Bianche. Overall, it will take a versatile climber to win.

With so many mountains offering places to attack, which mountain do you think will be the most decisive?

Of course, all of the mountains will be important. The stages in the first half will still be important though. Holland and the Strada Bianche etc. are all difficult to manage.

Your main goal will be to don the "maglia rosa," but will you try to win stages as well?

Everyone wants to win stages. But sometimes riding for the GC makes this difficult. We'll see how my level is compared to the level of my competitors.

Cadel Evans and George Hincapie (Team BMC Racing). Photo copyright Tim de Waele.

Who do you expect to be your most dangerous rivals?

At the moment, I would say Ivan Basso, Carlos Sastre and Alexander Vinokourov. Then there are always one or two unexpected riders who come into the list during the race.

So what will be your biggest challenge?

As with any Grand Tour, being good every day.

You've won the 2010 Fléche Wallonne and finished in the top 10 at a number of other races this year. How satisfying has your spring season been?

I'm very happy with how the season has started out. It would have been nice to have a few more wins. I have been close on more than a few occasions. Looking back at this point, I am very happy how we have worked together as a team and the progress we have made. We've been a bit unlucky and a few things have been outside of our control, with riders out of racing, but these things happen. It has been a real pleasure to work with the whole BMC Racing Team.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for our complete 2010 Giro d'Italia coverage, which will include video highlights from each stage of the Giro. Also, check out www.universalsports.com/cycling for full video coverage of each stage.

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