Diego Ulissi is currently at the Tour Down Under. The Lampre-Merida rider targets the overall classification but mainly wants to shine in the spring. He told Cyclingnews about his main objectives for the 2016 season.

"The Ardennes classics are my biggest goal this year, I have matured enough to target them. Now I’ve realized that I can be more competitive in one-day races and not over three weeks, so at a Grand Tour, I’ll only focus on a stage win here and there", the Italian rider explained.

He added that his mentor Michele Bartoli helped him with the daily training. "He gives me a lot. Not everyone is lucky enough to be advised by such a great champion. I can’t thank him enough for his advice. He even tries to pass his character onto me, his tenacity too."

Regarding the Tour Down Under, Ulissi said that this race is the best way to start the season and to prepare his physical condition for the following races. "I asked to come back to this race because I like it so much. This is the ideal race for getting the rhythm since the stages aren’t too long. (...) I’ll try to win the race but I have to be realistic. The Australians are here in a much more advanced condition than I am", he concluded.