"I did a lot of training on the time trial bike during the altitude camp in Tenerife" - Primoz Roglic aware of importance of time-trials ahead of tight Giro battle with Evenepoel

Primoz Roglic is a specialist in the time-trials, but the operation he underwent in the winter had him in a difficult position as he struggled in the extreme position. However, he has trained a lot in the bike on the run-up to the Giro d'Italia, aware of the importance of the 70 kilometers against the clock that the riders will face.

"I haven't done many competitive time trial kilometers this season. However, I did a lot of training on the time trial bike during the altitude camp in Tenerife. I feel ready for it. I am curious about the form of the day because it is an important day for the general classification. You can immediately gain or lose seconds," Roglic said in a press release.

This includes a final time-trial up Monte Lussari, next to the border with Slovenia. "It is very nice to finish the Giro in a place I know well, close to home. There will be a lot of Slovenian supporters there to cheer me on. I have often skied down there, but this time I will have to cycle up." However that time-trial is currently under risk of not being raced due to logistic issues, with a decision likely to be taken soon.

Roglic has raced the opening time-trial of Tirreno-Adriatico, however that was his first race day in six months and against competition that was already well warmed-up for the season. He finished 12th there in a small and fast TT, and doesn't completely address how well he should feel on the bike this May. Not too different, Remco Evenepoel has not raced an individual time-trial this year, but did help Soudal - Quick-Step into victory in the team time-trial at the UAE Tour.

Roglic hasn't raced since the Volta a Catalunya, a pre-planned choice. "We deliberately chose to race less in the spring. After winning Tirreno-Adriatico and Volta a Catalunya, I prepared for the Giro in the best possible way," he explained. "The high-altitude training camp in Tenerife did me good. Together with the team, we were able to work towards this goal. Train. Recover. Rest. Every day again. Every day will be a new challenge. To finish strong, I'll need to perform at my highest level. I am expecting a spectacular final. The stage to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the time trial will be spectacular. I will need to give everything."

"I have good memories of the Giro. In 2016, I won my first stage in a grand tour there. I later earned my first podium result in a grand tour in the 2019 Giro. I finished third, but it felt like a victory for me. Also, the fact that this race is not far from Slovenia makes me like coming there. I'm looking forward to it," Roglic concluded.