The Liberty Seguros - Würth team had a simple aim for the first four days of the Giro d'Italia: to get out of Belgium in one piece. Michele Scarponi and Koen De Kort have both sustained falls, but neither were injured, so the team is now looking forward to making its mark in Thursday's team time trial. "The team will be able to take the start of the team time trial complete and in perfect physical shape," said Liberty press officer Jacinto Vidarte.
Koen De Kort is riding his first grand tour and enjoying the experience. "The Giro is the best option to ride my first 'big one'," he said, "because both in the Tour and in the Vuelta there is more pressure. Here I will have more chance of finishing the race."
For the 23 year old Dutchman, the Giro's spell in Belgium has almost been a trip home. "For me these few days have been a bit special, because we are near Holland and my home, my parents have come to see me every day and there are many Dutch riders in the race," he said. "It is very nice to start where there are so many people that I know."
Liberty hasn't made any waves in this Giro so far, but De Kort believes that will change with Thursday's team time trial, a discipline where the team has traditionally been strong. "The key," to the team time trial, De Kort said, "is to remain all together and not to lose any riders until the finish. I believe that we can do well because we have several riders that are very good in this speciality."
De Kort was happy to start his grand tour career with the Giro, and isn't phased by the severity of this year's parcours. "It's the same for everybody, so it is necessary to do it, I am not afraid and I think that I can finish it," he said. "I preferred to make my debut in the Giro because everyone says that it is the least hard of three, because here the peloton goes more calmly from the start and you have more chance of finishing. But sure, I prefer the Tour de France, because it is the best. After the Giro I hope will soon be able to make my début in France."
