Maxime Monfort concludes his build-up towards the Giro d’Italia at the Tour de Romandie this week, and kicked off the Swiss WorldTour event with fairly good performance in the short prologue followed by finishing yesterday’s shortened stage safely in the leaders’ group. Satisfied with his recent performances, the Lotto Belisol leader insisted that the mountainous stage event offers a perfect preparation for the Italian grand tour, physically as well as mentally.

Despite all the difficulties connected with unfavorable weather conditions, the 31-year old Belgian told Derniere Heure that with two time trials and four mountain stages on its route, Tour de Romandie is an obligatory race for the Giro d’Italia contenders to test condition just a week before the season’s first grand tour event kicks off.

“This really is an obligatory race ahead of the Giro. The course, pretty tough, allows to gain a proper pedaling cadence in mountains, which will be essential at the Giro d’Italia. This is very important,” Monfort told Derniere Heure.

“I think my form is good. Indeed, exactly as I wanted it to be.”

On Tuesday, Monfort finished the prologue 44th, 18 seconds behind Michał Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-quick Step), and continued with a secure ride yesterday, crossing the line in a group consisting of most of the Tour de Romandie GC contenders.

“I still ride it as a build-up, but with the Giro on my mind. This is really great because the toughest stages are in the beginning, what should make for the intensity…

“I will use this weekend to see where to place myself overall. If I can secure a top 10, I will finish the Tour de Romandie with confidence.”