"Every race where I go now is with some pressure" - Remco Evenepoel aware of the expectation surrounding him

The reigning Vuelta a Espana winner and the current road race world champion, Remco Evenepoel is one of the pre-race favourites and the Belgian has admitted he is aware of the extra expectation that now surrounds him.

"Every race where I go now is with some pressure and with some expectations," the 23-year-old tells his Soudal - Quick-Step teams official YouTube channel. "I don't think it will be different for the Giro but I think that's something that keeps me sharp, that helps me to focus on training and to just do my best every day again on training and in the race."

As mentioned, Evenepoel begins his push for the Maglia Rosa as one of the pre-race favourites. Whilst many pundits and analysts expect a battle between the Belgian and Jumbo-Visma leader Primoz Roglic, Evenepoel expresses his supreme confidence in his own ability no matter who he is up against. "I think within the team we know what we are capable of. Especially after last year's Vuelta," says the Belgian. "So we are confident. We will have a plan and we will stick to the plan and not get distracted by the outside."

The last week of this year's Giro is set to be a massive few days of racing and Evenepoel realises just how important it will be to have good legs right to the end. "The last weekend is something all riders should be scared of," he admits.