After a great performance on the Green Mountain at the Tour of Oman, Dimension Data’s Merhawi Kudus is setting his sights on the Giro d’Italia. 

“I came up really fast from Africa to ride the biggest races in the world,” Kudus told VeloNews. “Racing the Tour de France last year was not easy in such a short time, but when you have the opportunity, you have to take it.”

Kudus and teammate Daniel Teklehaimanot were stars of the Tour de France, with their Eritrean fans following them everywhere. Kudus hopes he can use his experience from the Tour to help him in the Giro, along with the gym work he has done in the offseason.

“When I did the Tour de France, it was a big opportunity and I gained experience,” he said. “This winter, like always, I rested and then worked in the gym on strength and muscles to get some more power.”

Kudus, who is based in Lucca, Italy, will recon some of the Giro stages once he gets home from Oman. He hopes he can use them to gain vital information as he attempts to win Eritrea’s first Grand Tour stage.

“Normally when I’m back in Italy, we will be able to recon some of the stages,” Kudus added. “I’ll talk with my trainer. I raced Trentino last year. I hope to ride Tirreno-Adriatico this year, otherwise, I’ll do some training in Italy.”