"I expect it to be a good fight" - Primoz Roglic anticipates Giro d'Italia battle at Gran Sasso d'Italia

Primoz Roglic has endured bad luck over the last few days, but has once again saved the day after a late mechanical. It was a tense finale into Napoli but the Slovenian remains high in the overall classification, and could go up this afternoon.

“I had a puncture when positioning in the front regions of the peloton. Fortunately, we were able to change bikes quickly. Partly due to the strong work of my teammates, we quickly returned to the peloton," a relieved Roglic said at the end of the stage.

Stage 7 into Gran Sasso d'Italia sees 45 kilometers of almost constant climbing and will be the first proper climbing challenge of the Giro. After stage 4 to Lago Laceno was ridden conservatively, the high-altitude summit finish won't allow for riders to calmly ride through even if there are no early attacks.

"I'm ready. A lot of guys have set their sights on this stage and I expect it to be a good fight. I'm excited," he assures. Fifth in the overall classification and 44 seconds down on Remco Evenepoel, he may be thinking of taking time back, specially as the Belgian crashed twice two days ago and may not be at his best.