They are considered the hottest favorites for the overall Giro victory: Primoz Roglic (left) and Remco Evenepoel. © AFP / JOSEP LAGO

Giro d'Italia: This duel electrifies the cycling world

The Giro d'Italia, which starts on Saturday, could result in a tough duel between Primoz Roglic and the young Belgian star Remco Evenepoel.

04 May 2023

From: apa/det

Both have impressed with several victories this spring; in a direct duel, the much more experienced Slovenian was just ahead on the Tour of Catalonia. For the 33-year-old Roglic, after three unsuccessful Tour de France attempts, but also three Vuelta triumphs since 2019, all that counts is the pink jersey.

“The Giro has a special place in my heart. This is where I won my first Grand Tour stage and it's so close to Slovenia, it's almost our home race. When I started dreaming of a life as a professional cyclist, it was the Giro that I had in mind,” said the former ski jumper to the industry portal Cyclingnews.

Primoz Roglic wants the Giro victory. © AFP / JOSEP LAGO

Despite a few failures, the time trial Olympic champion Roglic still has a strong jumbo team with noble helper Sepp Kuss around him for the almost 3.500 kilometers of racing including 51.000 meters of altitude. But the third-place finisher in the Giro in 2019 knows about the abilities of his rivals. “I have always said that Remco Evenepoel is a great driver. I have to be at my best to compete against him. But if it’s just the two of us racing against each other, someone else could take advantage of the opportunity and benefit.”

Strong everywhere

Roglic and Evenepoel, who are extremely fast not only uphill but also in time trials, will be difficult to bend on a regular course. The 23-year-old Belgian won a Grand Tour in his second attempt at the Vuelta last year, when Roglic dropped out injured. In his second Giro - in 2021 he had to give up due to a fall injury - the 23-year-old world champion from the Soudal team should take another step towards his dream goal of the Tour de France.

Young star with big ambitions: Remco Evenepoel. © Belga / TOM GOYVAERTS

“Driving in Italy is always special. I love it, I love the incredible Tifosi and their passion for cycling. Of course it’s even more special to compete in the Giro as world champion in the rainbow jersey,” said Evenepoel full of anticipation. He recently demonstrated that he is in top form with his impressive Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory. Nevertheless, he was reserved: “It’s no secret that I’m aiming for a good result in the overall classification.”

The 106th edition of the Giro will open with a 20 km individual time trial in Fossacesia Marina, and the final decision will also be made in a fight against the clock. On May 27th in the steep mountain time trial to Monte Lussari near Tarvisio. After that there is only a flat stage in Rome on the program.