Fabio Aru fired back at those who think he will never again fight for victory in a Grand Tour, saying that it is because he has successfully raced "giants of the sport like Contador and Chris Froome" and "when he was at his best," that he has been able to compete against Egan Bernal and He said he believes he can take on young talents like Lemko Evenpoel.

Aru joined UAE Team Emirates in 2018 and has endured a difficult two years as undiagnosed iliac artery problems affected his performance. Last April, he opted for angioplasty stent surgery instead of major surgery.

This allowed for a rapid return to racing, and after only two months of training, he finished 14th overall in the Tour de France. He also competed in the Vuelta a España, but suffered from fatigue and was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr syndrome.

Some doubted that Aru would return to his best, especially after angioplasty stent surgery, but he showed pride when his doubts were challenged.

"I wish the critics would say things to my face. Then they will understand if they really know what I have been through," Aru, who recently gave birth to his father and began preparing for the 2020 season, the last of his three-year contract with UAE team Emirates, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I know it has been a long and difficult period and I am the first one to be dissatisfied. But everything happens for a reason."

"I lost two years of my career, but it's not my fault. I am confident that I can get back to my best again, fight in major races, climb to the top and silence my critics."

UAE Team Emirates patiently waited for Aru to recover, even if he made mistakes during his recovery.

His original plan after angioplasty stent surgery was to gradually get back into shape and target the Vuelta a España. However, in an attempt to get back into shape at the Tour de France, Aru pushed himself too hard in Spain and eventually retired from the Vuelta a España before stage 13, and UAE Team Emirates medical director Jeroen Swart said that Aru's "fatigue buildup" and " considerable muscle damage."

"Looking back, I probably asked too much of my body," Aru admitted. He added, "In Spain I was quite weak from the virus and I'm still paying the price for that. I can still only run for a maximum of two hours. I am slowly recovering and I think I will be back up to speed in January."

Alou admitted that he has not yet set his goals for 2020. He would like to represent Italy in the Mt. Fuji road race, but has not decided which Grand Tour he will compete in. His racing program will likely depend on his recovery and training in the spring.

UAE Team Emirates has 21-year-old Tadej Pogachar, who finished third in the Vuelta a España and won the Tour of California, as its main Grand Tour leader. The team also signed Davide Formolo, Joe Dombrowski, David de la Cruz, and young talents Brandon McNulty, Mikkel Bjarg, and Alessandro Covi. Alexander Kristof and Fernando Gaviria remain as sprinters.

Aru was once seen as the successor to Vincenzo Nibali and the next great Italian Grand Tour rider. He finished third in the 2014 Giro d'Italia and won the 2015 Vuelta a España, but has struggled to repeat those performances.

While many doubted Aru's ability and dedication in 2018, he claims to fear no one, especially the younger generation that seems to be taking over the sport, but he is also humbled after two years of problems and setbacks.

"In the past I have raced against giants of the sport like Contador and Froome. Pogachar is really strong and we will probably have fun together. ......

"Of course, if I find I can't get back to my best, if I struggle and can't be competitive, I'll gladly lower my level. But I think that's the stuff of science fiction.