Attila Walter said the start of next year's Giro d'Italia in Hungary will be "really big" for the country. [Ahead of Saturday's Giro d'Italia Criterium Dubai, the Groupama-FDJ rider said: I received 1,000 messages this week about this. If next year the only people on the streets will be those who wrote to me, then that's a lot of people."

"I think we have a good program for me as a rider, for the Giro, and in terms of advertising and increasing virality in Hungary, because 99 percent of people have never seen a bike race, and I think it's a good thing that we're doing this because it's a great way for people to get to know each other.

"If the Tour passes through my house every year, I might find something else to do. It would be something really big."

The only Hungarian currently competing in the World Tour, Valter wore the leader's maglia rosa for three stages of this year's Giro. The Grande Partenza in Hungary was originally scheduled for 2020, but was postponed due to the pandemic.

He explained that he benefited from the postponement: "The RCS people and the Hungarian people were really happy that it was postponed; two years ago it would have been a good race and would have had an impact, but this year in 2022 it will be completely different. A lot of people will be involved and a lot of people will be watching.

"It's getting closer, but some of the stages were already announced for the Giro. It was already a reality. But it was my first Giro and I wasn't wearing the pink jersey. I was fully motivated and of course I still am. I just hope there is a zero percent chance of it being cancelled again."

The route for the three stages in Hungary was announced Wednesday by Giro organizer RCS Sport. Stage 1 will be an uphill final stage in Visegrád, stage 2 will be a 9.2km individual time trial in central Budapest, and stage 3 will be a group sprint in Balatonfüred.

Valter said he is confident that the opening stage will be to his advantage and give him hope of wearing the pink jersey again.

"I know the climb (of stage 1) and I think it's a really good stage for me. I know the climb (of stage 1) and I think it's a really good stage for me. People start saying it's not for me, but I'm training for the climbs and I think it's for me."

"It's not too long, but it's not too short, so it's not for sprinters or anything, I don't know where the KOM is, but it's probably 6, 7, 8 minutes. The start is pretty steep and it's a nice climb if you hit it."

"It's a course I know well and I plan to practice a lot next year. It's not too far from home and it's about 50 km, so with longer riders we can do a circuit. You can go up along the river, come down the other side and do a loop. There are already national championships on that climb."

"One time is not the same as ten times, but it's hard. I think it's a climb for Julian Alaphilippe or somebody, but if I can manage my year well and decide on a program, I can prepare for it. I think it would suit me. Because if I start with the third stage or the TT, I can't do anything big. This first stage will be a good one."

The Grande Partenza is also expected to inspire a generation of Hungarian cyclists. Walter said he is "optimistic" that the Hungarian government and Giro organizers have a plan ready.

"When the Giro is held in May and June, the kids are on summer vacation and everyone wants to ride bikes.

"It's not my job, but I do my best to motivate them and advise what I know from the outside. I think they are coping well, but we need to be ready for that shock and need more coaches and everything. If we do that, I think we will be at the point where we can change."