It was hard to ask for a better start to the season for Jonathan Milan and Simone Consonni. The two Lidl Trek riders, now almost inseparable between road and track (this year they will aim for the Tour de France) offered their valuable contribution in the opening team time trial of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2025, dominated from the first to the last kilometer by their team.

"We are not used to this type of event, but during the January training camp we came to try the course, we wanted to do well," said Consonni. "We all did a great job, we are strong and ambitious. We didn't expect such gaps, especially because looking at the start list of teams equipped for this type of effort, there were several. In team time trials, it's always difficult to make predictions, but we started with the idea of giving our all from the beginning, even at the cost of suffering at the end, but I would say it went more than well. It's a specialty I like, even if it's not easy to organize, both for us and for those who create the race. Personally, I would like to do more of these during the year, but today's cycling is like this."

"What a great start! We prepared well for this time trial, we believed in it, and the gap went beyond all expectations," Milan echoed.

The giant from Buja begins his journey in 2025 here, hoping to establish himself at the highest levels. There are one and a half sprints expected here in Valencia. "For the start of the season, the legs are good, not excellent, but certainly good. The fourth stage is interesting, but if we look at the elevation meters... well, there are quite a few," Milan added. "Let's see how the stage goes, meanwhile, we'll try to get through the second and third stages well. The fifth stage should definitely end in a sprint. I'll try to save some energy, although tomorrow I'll be at Vacek's disposal to escort him at best. Usually as sprinters we have some chances at the beginning, and this time we'll have them at the end. No problem, I'll wait."

Consonni takes it one day at a time: "Focus on tomorrow, it's the first line race of the year and we'll have to suffer with all those climbs."