Geraint Thomas "likes to joke" but Primoz Roglic "is a bit shy and more in his own world" says Soudal - Quick-Step's Louis Vervaeke

Whilst Louis Vervaeke was forced to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia much like his Soudal - Quick-Step leader, Remco Evenepoel, Geraint Thomas and Primoz Roglic were battling it out for the Maglia Rosa. Now, Vervaeke has been discussing the different personalities of the riders.

"It was a huge blow, of course. We had done so much preparation and then it all falls away in the end is a great pity. On the other hand, he does win two stages," Vervaeke recalls on the podcast Vals Plat, as he recaps an ultimately disappointing Giro d'Italia for the Soudal - Quick-Step team who finished the race with just two riders. "I then stopped following the Giro fully and heard from someone that Ballerini had also gone home. 'You are kidding me'. I responded. There were still two of them, which was a bit sad."

With Evenepoel gone, Thomas and Roglic were the main protagonists in the fight for the Maglia Rosa. Comparing the two, Vervaeke has some interesting opinions. "I thought the battle between Primoz Roglic and Geraint Thomas was exciting and I was curious who would win," he says. "I talked to Remco about it. Thomas's strength is those five to six hour rides at a fast pace. And Roglic for example – if you look at that stage that finishes at Lo Port in Catalonia – is better in a stage with only a final climb."

Personally, Vervaeke seems to have more of a connection to the Welshman. "He is super sympathetic and he is also very accessible and relaxed. He likes to joke," Vervaeke explains. "Roglic is a bit shy and more in his own world. He is friendly, but you don't spontaneously start a conversation with him. It doesn't get more than 'good morning'. He has his own bubble around him and it is quite closed off."