There was an evident aura of uncertainty when Omega Pharma-Quick Step were approaching their first three-week event targeting success in general classification exclusively. An ability of the Belgian squad to properly support grand tour contender was questioned as well as their leader’s disposition following a highly unspectacular performances throughout spring, but first week of the Giro d’Italia certainly dispelled all doubts and exceeded even most optimistic expectations.

It was extremely difficult to gauge Rigoberto Uran’s disposition before the Italian grand tour, as the 27-year old Colombian concluded his otherwise disappointing preparation period with two mind-boggling showings in the Tour de Romandie individual time trials, which never before were his big specialty.

This way, last year’s Giro d’Italia runner-up lined up at the season’s first grand tour event with an ambition to finish the event on the podium, for the first time raising more questions about his climbing legs than ability to limit losses in a very decisive long time trial to Barolo.

First week of the Giro d’Italia marred by bad weather and crashes certainly brought first answers about the disposition of pre-race favorites, and Omega Pharma-Quick Step certainly earned a positive note not only because of Uran’s second place in general classification. Despite many doubts, the Belgian team proved to be capable of uniting around the general classification contender, with the likes of Petacchi or Keisse protecting the Colombian in the hectic finales of flat stages and in-form Wout Poels doing a truly brilliant job on the climbs.

In such circumstances, it came as no surprise that the Omega Pharma-Quick Step sports director Tom Steels was full of praise for his riders, admitting that he wasn’t sure what to expect from the 27-year old Colombian before heading to the Italian grand tour and that supporting his campaign day by day is an entirely new experience for high-spirited squad. 

“I think if you saw how Uran started this year, he didn't have the easiest approach. But he's getting better and better. He must be feeling good. I think, after a rest day and flat stage, he can get even better than what we've seen so far,” Omega Pharma-QuickStep directeur sportif Tom Steels said in his blog on the team’s website.

“I think we can be very happy with how the team is functioning right now as well. We came together quickly. For most of them this is the first time they've had to go for a GC,” said Steels. “With the way they worked together for one rider, it shows a great team spirit. So, there is plenty we can do to improve our situation. But if you see it as a team, how they've grown and unified, it's really impressive.”

“I think as a team we will learn a lot from the Giro in three weeks. To stay in the hunt for the GC you have to always pay attention. The GC is already difficult. There is not one day you can let down the tension of the focus. But I must say, up until now, it's been a great experience.”

“I think the time trial will be very decisive. Even with so many mountains,” he said. “You see in the mountains, if no GC guy really goes into crisis, the gaps are not that big. They can all stick together. There can be one that goes ahead and of course, if they are in a breakaway that stays away, you can lose everything. That's normal. But I think the time trial will really be where the GC plays out because, if you are 40 seconds in the lead, you can still lose 30 seconds on the climb of the parcours.”