Nibali to target Giro and Tokyo

Trek-Segafredo manager Luca Guercilena has revealed Vincenzo Nibali will target both the Giro d’Italia and Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The Shark of Messina, who turns 35 on Thursday, is set to join the US-licenced team for next year after he has raced for the final time in Bahrain-Merida’s colours at the Shanghai Tour de France criterium over the weekend. Nibali has already spent time in Wisconsin trying out new equipment for 2020 as he aims to go one better than this year by claiming a third Maglia Rosa at the Giro in May. Age catches up with everyone and Guercilena has suggested his new star rider will ride a more measured programme, with a view to peaking for a second time in Tokyo, therefore skipping the Tour de France. Having won all three Grand Tours in his career, Olympic gold in Japan may even persuade the veteran to retire and he already has his main aims for the coming 12 months set out. “Vincenzo’s main goals are the Giro d’Italia, the Tokyo Olympics and the World Championships in Switzerland,” Guercilena said. “In modern-day cycling, three peaks of excellent form in the same year are impossible. It’s important to balance things carefully and try to have two peaks.”