For the first time since many years, Lotto Belisol will enter the Giro d’Italia will a serious general classification contender in their roster, as they line up at the start in Belfast with Maxime Monfort leading the Belgian team.

“The atmosphere around me is better than during the Tour,” Monfort revealed Sporza.be.

The 31-year old Belgian will return to the Italian grand tour event for the first time since 2006 season, when he finished 33rd in the general classification riding in the Cofidis outfit. This time around, however, Monfort aims for a significant improvement in his previous result and claims that there are only four riders out of his reach on the 2014 Giro d’Italia startlist.

“It’s a new challenge for me,” Lotto Belisol leader told Sporza.

“The feelings in Romandie were really encouraging. I should be fine, I’ve done everything to reach my best level.”

“There are three of four riders that I cannot beat: Evans, Quintana, Pozzovivo and perhaps Rodriguez. Behind them there are riders like Majka, Roche, Daniel Martin and if I reach my best level, I will compete with them.

"Getting a top ten place in the Giro would be a very good result. In 2011 I became sixth in the Vuelta, that was unexpected. But I'm realistic; achieving a top ten isn't easy.

"Finishing in top fifteen would be a good performance, finishing in top ten would be an excellent performance. It all depends on the opponents, the course and of course my own form. I did everything to stand well at the start. This season I haven't be ill or injured either.

"In the Vuelta of 2011 and 2012 I could ride for the GC, but I've grown since then. This is also the first time I had a tight schedule to prepare myself for a Grand Tour. This is my eleventh year as a pro and for seven years I've been working on a scientific basis. I train for example with the SRM system, which helps me gather useful info. I have the experience and know my body.

"After Paris-Nice I started the preparation for the Giro. Because of the weather it's difficult to train in the Italian mountains, but I did simulations of climbs during my trainings. I slept in a tent that simulates sleeping on height.

"The Vuelta al País Vasco and Tour de Romandie were part of my preparation. Until Saturday I stood around the fifteenth place in GC of Romandie, but a mechanical problem made me lose much time.

Monfort was absolutely clear about targeting the top ten in the general classification of the Giro, he emphasized, however, that his assessment of a final outcome would be strictly depended on how the race has developed. He thoughtfully pointed out that a position in the overall standings can be extremely relative.

“Much will depend on the race’s development. It could be that I will be pleased with the eleventh place or disillusioned after finishing eighth.”

Riding the Tour de France for the last six seasons, Monfort seamed to be very pleased with his return to the Italian grand tour and exactly as many other riders, praised the event for its unique atmosphere.

“The atmosphere of the Giro d’Italia is usually better then in the Tour, which I rode for last six years. There is less pressure, less press.. The climbs are steeper than in France, but if the condition is good, I’m always competitive on long climbs,” Monfort concluded.