Remco Evenepoel has been trying to shrug off some of the pressure from himself, but in a recent interview he has talked about his biggest oposition at the Giro d'Italia, and with little surprise he was quick to mention Primoz Roglic.
"My biggest opponent will be Primož Roglič," Evenepoel told Het Laatste Nieuws. "He has more experience than me in stage races, he was already third in the Giro and last year he only crashed out of the Vuelta. The course suits him very much, he is not one to avoid taking risks and can gain seconds on any type of finish.
The two already went head-to-head this past summer at the Vuelta a Espana, where the Slovenian recovered from injury to become Evenepoel's main rival. The battle was set to head into the final week, until Primoz Roglic violently crashed out of the race. Evenepoel resisted the attacks of Enric Mas to storm into the red jersey and a maiden Grand Tour win.
"It seemed strange to me, however, that earlier he declared that he would not be at the Giro, because he arrived too early, and that news of his presence arrived a week later," the Soudal - Quick-Step rider said at the team's presentation. "Still, I'm glad he can come back. I hope he will be at his best, I expect a great battle, at a very high level."
Several riders have confirmed their intention of fighting for a top result at the Corsa Rosa, including the likes of Geraint Thomas, Aleksandr Vlasov, João Almeida, Jack Haig and Thymen Arensman. The time-trials should be decisive and Evenepoel will not have competition which he can obbliterate against the clock.
"But there are at least two other riders to keep an eye on at the Giro: Geraint Thomas and Alexandr Vlasov. They are athletes who cannot be underestimated," he points out as two very possible threats.
Questions were also asked about the Tour de France in 2024, despite the time that remains before. "The Tour de France 2024? Who says that the Vuelta of that year is no longer suitable for me, in terms of route and timed kilometers?" he responded. The presentation of the Spanish Grand Tour will take place this Tuesday the 10th of January.
"We will see. Of course, one day I will go to the Tour de France, that for sure. Other rides on my wish list? Lombardy and the World [Championships] Time Trial. And I have another certainty: with the rainbow jersey on, I will start all the races with the aim of winning or making a good classification."
Evenepoel was awarded this Friday with the Belgian sportsman of the year title, where he beat Wout van Aert and speed skater Bart Swings. “The danger is that expectations are now even higher. People also need to realise that I can't win all the races,” Evenepoel said at the event.
“If I ride a top three in the Giro this year, I will be equally satisfied with that. I want to get the maximum out of it and then I will be satisfied. This year I just want to enjoy that rainbow jersey," he concluded.
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