Derek Gee: “Giro has a special place in my heart”

How could we ever forget Derek Gee’s debut at the Giro d’Italia? It was 2023 and, aside from a Canadian national time trial title, he had never won a pro race in his life and was virtually unknown. Over those three weeks, however, the Ottawa rider made a name for himself with relentless attacks and counterattacks; whether the stage was flat or mountainous, he was always on the move, in breakaways or launching late moves as a finisher.

The Canadian ended that Corsa Rosa with four second-place finishes on stages – in Fossombrone, Viareggio, Cassano Magnago and on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo – as well as two fourth places in Crans-Montana and Palafavera. He also finished second overall in both the points classification (Maglia Verde) and the mountains classification (Maglia Azzurra).

“The Giro has always been my favorite Grand Tour, ever since I watched it as a kid,” Gee said. “It has a special place in my heart, and it’s the only three-week race ever won by a Canadian (Hesjedal in 2012). It’s also the race where I really made a name for myself and the first where I was able to fight for a top overall result”.

Stages or general classification?

From that moment on, the Canadian rider has shown steady progression, leading him first to a Top 10 overall at the Tour de France and then to 4th place overall at the 2025 Giro d’Italia.

“Still, I don’t think any Grand Tour will ever match 2023 for me in terms of enjoyment. We didn’t have sprinters or GC riders, zero expectations, zero pressure, and total freedom to race. I attacked almost every day, it was incredible, a situation that will be hard to replicate in my career. Now the focus has shifted to the general classification: you enjoy it a bit less, but if things go well, the rewards are huge”.

The Lidl–Trek rider has now fully turned his focus toward the general classification, even more so after last year’s fourth place, just 1’40” shy of the podium occupied by Richard Carapaz. In 2026, he will return to the Corsa Rosa for the third time, aiming to go even higher.

Podium dream for 2026

After a solid UAE Tour – where he finished 7th despite eight months without racing due to issues the previous year with Israel – Gee was forced to abandon the Volta a Catalunya because of physical problems. However, this shouldn’t prevent him from completing his preparation (likely at the Tour of the Alps) and arriving in Bulgaria in peak condition.

“Last year I had a really strong build-up to the Giro, so the idea was to try and replicate it, maybe improving in the areas where it was needed,” Gee explained. “Hopefully the results will prove me right”.

But would Derek be satisfied with repeating a Giro like 2025? “Yes, I’d be happy to match that result,” he said. “Of course, when you finish 4th and you’re close to the podium, you always hope to take that next step and reach third place. But the race changes, the rivals change, and you never know what can happen. Right now, it’s hard to say what I’ll really be capable of, but I wouldn’t be disappointed with another fourth place. The dream? Definitely to get on the podium, that’s what I’m working for. There are so many variables that it’s impossible to say if I can achieve it, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”