Geraint Thomas confident that INEOS can beat Evenepoel and Roglic at Giro d'Italia - "We will do everything we can to beat them"

Geraint Thomas is building his form at the Tour of the Alps and getting confidence ahead of the Giro d'Italia. INEOS Grenadiers are dominating the Italian race as Tao Geoghegan Hart is leading the race from start to finish, and the group of climbers present is racing at a high level and hoping to battle with Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel this May.

"Of course that is a possibility. Obviously, Remco and Primoz are the top favorites par excellence because of their performance this year. Nevertheless, we can travel to Italy with confidence and we will do everything we can to beat them," Thomas said. Thomas himself is starting the final stage in 16th position, but playing a support role for Hart and also Pavel Sivakov who sits inside the Top10.

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Alongside Laurens de Plus the Welshman has been a key support rider, with Thymen Arensman also looking to reach a higher level in the coming weeks. These five riders are all part of INEOS' long list for the Giro and should form a key part of the mountain block. Leadership will not be decided until then, but having finished third behind Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar last year at the Tour de France, it would be reasonable to see Thomas as a big contender for the pink jersey - specially with the large amount of timetrialing kilometers.

"I'm getting a little better every week and I notice that I benefit from the work I do. Normally I'm just going to give it my all towards the Giro and watch it from there. I want to start the Giro in the best possible shape. In any case, the Tour of the Alps is going well. Everyone on our team is riding strong and morale is high," he concluded. At 36 years of age Thomas may be riding his last build-up for a Grand Tour in his career, but the signs are positive.

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"If there is one person from whom we can expect a counterweight to Pogacar, it is Evenepoel" - José de Cauwer