British pro Adam Blythe is gaining experience in his second Grand Tour this month in the Giro d'Italia. In the first sprint in Parma on Sunday, his Omega Pharma-Lotto team worked for him.
"Days like that you can learn a lot from," Blythe said. "There's not many at all really [flat stages] this year, but I'm taking it day by day, I think in a couple of days' time there will be a sprint again for me."
The 21-year-old from Sheffield finished 81st in Parma. Belgium's Klaas Lodewyck led Blythe into Parma and placed him near the trains of HTC and Garmin. Blythe moved into position with only five kilometres to race, but afterwards, he had little energy left.
"It was good learning," he added. "When we start working together a bit more will understand each other better."
Blythe and his team have until stage 12 in Ravenna on the east coast of Italy to perfect their lead out. Afterwards, the race travels into the high mountains of the Dolomites and the Alps.
He will assess his condition daily, but will likely abandon to focus on the second half of his season. He wants to win in stage races like the Ster Elektrotoer and the Eneco Tour. At the end of the season, he aims to make Great Britain's team and help Mark Cavendish at the World Championships.
Next season, he will race in different colours. Lotto wants to split from Omega Pharma and form its own team. It may sign star, Belgian Philippe Gilbert and also Blythe.
"It's a contract season, every team will be interested in Phil. I think if he wants to take me, he'll take me. I am not waiting for Phil to do that, I need to look after myself. If he asks me to come somewhere, then I will listen to what he says."
Blythe expects to sign for a team by July, but for now, he's focused on gaining experience in a Grand Tour.
Giro d'Italia 2011: Latest news
Leopard-Trek withdraws from Giro d'Italia
Leopard-Trek uncertain to continue in Giro
Tuesday's Giro stage in memory of Weylandt
Giro doctor describes actions to save Weylandt
Wouter Weylandt killed in Giro crash
Giro news shorts (May 8)
Cavendish likely to take Giro lead tomorrow
Giro 2011: Who will win?
Kennaugh to lead Team Sky in Giro's opening stage
Nibali's Giro fight with Contador may reach the courtroom
Riis defends Contador's participation in Giro
Cavendish set to start winning again at the Giro
Doping investigations force cyclists out of Giro d'Italia
Kennaugh replaces Pauwels in Sky's Giro line-up
Contador scouts out the Giro mountains
Cavendish and Millar top list of Giro-bound Brits
Lampre likely for Giro despite doping investigation
Giro announces record 23 teams to race
2011 Giro to start in Turin with team time trial
Giro goes one up on the Tour with spectacular route
Nygaard, Sciandri and Lloyd comment on 2011 Giro route
Nibali's Giro d'Italia?
Giro d'Italia 2011: Stage reports
Tearful Farrar and Leopard-Trek lead riders across stage four finish line
Stage three: Vicioso victory overshadowed by Weylandt crash
Stage two: Petacchi wins as Cavendish takes lead
Stage one: HTC-Highroad wins Giro's opening team time trial
Giro d'Italia 2011: Photo galleries
Stage four photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage three photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage two photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage one photo gallery by Graham Watson
Giro d'Italia 2011: Live text coverage
Follow the 2011 Giro d'Italia live with Cycling Weekly
Giro d'Italia 2011: Start list
Giro d'Italia 2011: Start list
Giro d'Italia 2011: TV schedule
Giro d'Italia 2011: British Eurosport TV schedule
Related links
Giro d'Italia 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Love letter to most annoying person on the group ride
'It was one of the hardest days of my life' - Rain and cold lay waste to Tour of the Alps
