Assessing the status of a superstar in cycling is not always easy. At a press conference in Budapest on Thursday, Loïc Vliegen, teammate of Biniam Girmay and his hotel roommate at the upcoming Giro d'Italia, was asked by the media what Netflix series they would both be watching at night for the next three weeks. And it was a genuine question.

At the Giro d'Italia press conference, he answered most of the media inquiries about what it means to compete in his first Grand Tour at age 22, Netflix preferences aside.

Just months after his breakthrough victory in Ghent-Wevelgem and less than a year after his world championship podium in the U23 road race, Intermarché Wanty-Gobert Materiou, in Italy and Hungary, is taking another big step for himself, his country, and his sport this May He said he is aware of the possibility of another big step forward in the

"Winning a Grand Tour is every cyclist's dream. No black rider has ever won a Grand Tour stage. So it's a big challenge."

He said his goal for the Giro d'Italia is to try to win a stage and the points jersey. His first chance to win will come tomorrow on the final 5km climb to Visegrad.

"I did some scouting this morning, and it's not very steep, but it's not very easy either," said the Italian. It's not that steep, but it's not that easy either, which could be good for the sprinters. For me, too."

However, he also commented that riding such a long distance in a Grand Tour is a voyage in the dark, and he is not sure what his limits are.

"I've only done five or six stages at most, and this is my first big stage race. I need more experience."

Gilmey, who returned home to rest in Eritrea after his victory in Ghent-Wevelgem, said he had little time to celebrate there before resuming training and "focusing" for the Giro d'Italia. He received an enthusiastic welcome from local Eritrean fans at last Sunday's Eschborn-Frankfurt race.

"For me, this is not the first time I have been surrounded by so many fans. The fans are crazy about cycling and I'm really happy to see them."

His teammates, in any case, are impressed with how calm Gilmey has remained during his meteoric rise to fame.

"He's never nervous, he never puts pressure on himself," Vroegen said, explaining that one of his responsibilities as an experienced roommate is to teach Gilmey, who is six years younger, the ropes and give him advice as a rider.

But there was no time for Netflix, Vroegen said. To which Gilmey replied with a grin, "Hey, maybe we can make a movie together."

Another teammate for Girmay, a third-year pro, is Hungarian Barnabasz Pek. Girmay's lead out man also attended the Budapest press conference and answered questions about the Eritrean.

"He was humble, jovial, appreciative, and very trusting of my steering wheel, especially at the Frankfurt GP where I was lead-out man for him and (Alexander) Kristoff. We did a good job," Peake said.

But the Italian GP in May will not be the only test of Girmay's limits on the flat. It is also an important test of his ability to survive the mountains.

"We still need to discover it and see what happens day by day," said Intermarche director Valerio Piva. 'I don't think it will be a problem. I hope he will make it to the end."