"Pogacar is the pre-race favourite, that means all eyes will be on him" - Geraint Thomas thinks Tadej Pogacar can be defeated at Giro d'Italia

While most cycling fans are pleased at the idea of Tadej Pogacar completing the Giro-Tour double, few take into consideration another 'doubler' Geraint Thomas. Yet the history has proven us over and over that if the Welshman from INEOS Grenadiers excels at something, it's got to be timing the peak of his form for the one objective in Thomas' mind.

"Obviously, Tadej Pogacar is the pre-race favourite and has a strong team around him, and that changes the dynamic of the race a bit. But that also means all eyes will be on him over three long weeks of hard racing," Thomas said about the biggest star at the start of Giro d'Italia.

If Pogacar has one weakness that could be exposed, it's his team's strength. With Thymen Arensman and Tobias Foss in INEOS' selection, Thomas could try to isolate the Slovenian in the mountains, even if that might not be enough to take down the Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner. "Our plan is to be aggressive, take the race on and look for every opportunity to add pressure and take time."

Last race for Thomas before the Giro was Tour of the Alps, where the 37-year-old was sixth in a stage won by teammate Foss, but otherwise rode mostly anonymously, concluding the five stages in 13th overall. "I am feeling good and not thinking beyond the coming weeks in Italy. My only focus now is the Giro d'Italia and arriving there in my best shape possible," he concludes.