So far, Movistar’s Andrey Amador has recorded the greatest achievements of his career in the Giro d’Italia. In 2012, he took a stage win and last year he finished fourth overall.

In this year’s Giro, the Costa Rican is part of Alejandro Valverde’s Movistar that is determined to conquer the pink jersey in Turin.

The Giro, evidently, is a race that suits Amador.

“It's a race that I like,” he told Tuttobiciweb. “I was hooked from the first year, when we put the pink jersey on the shoulders of David Arroyo and I won a stage. Then, in 2014, I struggled to accompany Nairo Quintana to victory and last year I battled with the best. It is a race that I have in the heart, a race that comes at a time of the season when I reach the top form.”

When asked about his ambitions for this year’s edition of La Corsa Rosa, Amador’s response was non-committal.

“When Nairo [Quintana] won two years ago, it was a joy, and I cannot even imagine how he felt or how Alejandro might feel this year. We are united behind Valverde who is our indisputable leader. Personally, I am very motivated by being able to offer my contribution to the team and I'm happy with my fitness level. I hope to do even better than last year. Three weeks is a long time and should something bad happen, I would be also ready to fight for the overall, but we hope that everything is fine and that Alejandro can go far.”

Although he is ready to give it his best shot in the Giro, Amador did not rule out his participation in this year’s Tour to assist Quintana in his bid to topple Chris Froome from the Tour-summit.

“Why not? Normally, riders don’t do both the Giro and the Tour but for me it would be a great personal honour to ride alongside Quintana. [Movistar Sports director] Eusebio Unzue knows that I always do my best in the service of the team.”

For now, however, Amador will focus on fulfilling ambitions in the Giro – his own and Valverde’s.