27/03/2023

Remco Evenepoel believes Giro battle with Roglic will be tight: "Uphill we are equal to each other for the time being"

The Volta a Catalunya was evidence that the differences between Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel are very small. It made for a tight battle in the roads of Spain this past week and there is a very good chance that it will be similar at the Giro d'Italia. Evenepoel approaches the subject after concluding the race.

“Uphill we are equal to each other for the time being," Evenepoel said in an interview with Sporza. "It will be difficult to unload Roglič on the climbs. It will therefore come down to putting him behind in the first week by taking distance in the time trials. I am very proud of what we showed this week. We have always taken the initiative and made the course uphill. In the end it paid off twice and with a bit of luck it could have been even more.”

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Winner of two stages, Evenepoel had a strong week, where his climbing performances were also impressive. However Roglic, who started his season by winning three stages and GC at Tirreno-Adriatico, was a match and also won two stages, but managed to take the overall win with a few seconds of lead. It was a very tight battle, tested in all but one day of the race. Away from the mountains the task wasn't any easier for Roglic who had to be very attempt to Evenepoel - a solo attack expert.

The Giro will have 21 stages, where there will be more opportunities to attack, and more room for error. This may split the two more than in Catalunya, but Evenepoel is focusing on his preparation. Whilst Roglic will now recover and use only training to prepare for the Giro, the World Champion will try and defend his Liège-Bastogne-Liège title. Different preparations, although it may be a bit of the risk for the Belgian to try and keep his form this high for so long ahead of the Corsa Rosa.

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“In that respect we have made great strides compared to last year. We can now both create and control the course. Everyone on the team is currently overflowing with confidence. Thursday we leave for Tenerife for a second altitude training. That will be tough, but if I see how good the legs are already, it can only pay off towards the Giro. I always come out stronger from such an altitude training," he concluded.