"If two fight over a leg, the third will die, don't they say?" - Primoz Roglic defends Volta a Catalunya as he and Evenepoel outsprinted by Ciccone

Primoz Roglic has a main aim at this year's Volta a Catalunya and that is to win the overall classification. The high mountains were going to be a big test for the Jumbo-Visma rider, but on the summit finish to Vallter 2000 he asserted himself as the man to beat.

“It was indeed easier yesterday with only three hundred meters up. Today we had to climb fifteen kilometers. Somehow I made it to the top,” Roglic told reporters at the finish line. “It is getting better little by little, after a long period without racing. I'm still building up and you do that by racing and training. I haven't done much of this kind of effort yet. I am happy with it and with the team's work. I certainly can't complain.”

With Sepp Kuss active, Roglic was in the GC group the whole way up the 15-kilometer climb. He was attacked by Remco Evenepoel on a few occasions in the final kilometers, but his rival opted to leadout Roglic and eventual stage winner Giulio Ciccone. No time differences were made on the road, as Roglic successfully defended the lead in Catalunya.

"If two fight over a leg, the third will die, don't they say?" he says regarding the surprise triumph from Ciccone, as the leading duo spritned to third and second. "But I'm not at all surprised that Ciccone wins here today. I also rode with and against him in Tirreno-Adriatico. He was already very close a few times. This victory belongs to him.” Stage 3 into La Molina will be another challenging day for Roglic to defend the jersey he carries over.