"A small list of names can win today" - Tadej Pogacar expects difficult opening day at Giro d'Italia

The first stage of the Giro d'Italia ends in Torino today, with a sequence of climbs that leaves the competition open for puncheurs and climbers. However with Tadej Pogacar in the mix, few will even have the opportunity to fight for the stage. The Slovenian himself expects a narrow list of favourites.

"This Giro will not be boring. It lasts 21 days, starting with today. The stage is difficult, but not super special. A small list of names can win today," he told CyclingPro.net ahead of today's stage. UAE Team Emirates control the race, Pogacar is also the ultimate favourite for today, the stage features a 1.5-kilometer climb at almost 9% which summits only 3 kilometers away from the finish line.

Featuring ramps of 16% and having a downhill almost all the way to the line, it's safe to say that an attack on the climb can lead to a win. The UAE Team Emirates rider does agree that he is the big favourite, but once again does not show too much liking to the questions regarding dominance.

"Yes of course. Insofar as you can cycle at the limit when it is still eighty kilometers. Every race is different and requires a different effort," he concluded.