Nicolas Roche admits he doesn’t know what to expect at the Dubai Tour but said he will treat the race as important preparation for the Giro D’Italia.

The BMC Racing Team rider will be competing for the first time in the Emirate when the fifth edition of the race begins on Tuesday.

As a mountain specialist, it’s highly unlikely he will challenge the likes of two-time champion Marcel Kittel and former winner Mark Cavendish for the title but the Irishman insists the five-stage race will help him prepare for more demanding events in 2018, especially the Giro in May.

“I’m in unknown territory as I haven’t really tested myself yet,” the 33-year-old told Sport360 in an interview organised by TAG Heuer, one of the team’s sponsors and official timekeeper of the Dubai Tour.

“I’m pretty uncertain about what I can achieve. I think this race will be very important building up for the next races. Even if I do finish, I think it will be a little short for me as it’s a race that suits sprinters. But the aim is to get better and get speed and help build up for the next races.

“For me, it’s the first one that I’ll be competing in the Dubai Tour. I’m quite excited to get going. I finished quite late last year. My condition is not at the peak yet but it will be nice to get going and start racing. The main goal for the first half of the season that I’m aiming for is the Giro,” he added.

Roche has two stage wins on the Grand Tour in his career, both coming at the Vuelta a Espana in 2013 and 2017. Although the Dubai Tour mainly has flat stages, Roche says there is a lot to learn.

“There’s a strong field and it’s not just sprinters competing but a lot of climbers as well,” he said. “It’s important to work on those reflexes for the climbs and get into a different side of racing.”