Remco Evenepoel: "I had doubts last year whether I could climb as well as Roglič"

Remco Evenepoel is currently on the top of the cycling world, wearing the rainbow bands and standing as a Grand Tour and monument champion. He's about to start the Giro d'Italia as a main favourite, however he admits that only this year did he believe he can climb as well as main rival Primoz Roglic.

“I had doubts last year whether I could climb as well as Roglič, but those doubts are gone after the Volta a Catalunya. I think we were equal there. The recipe for victory will be to climb as well as he does, and get time on Roglič in the time trials. He is the Olympic time trial champion, so that will be very difficult. I am at least a few percent better than in Catalunya. We will see."

Evenepoel was riding at a tremendous level in Catalunya, but was almost equally balanced with Roglic. The two were a level above the competition, some of which will be faced here. When it comes to sprinting on hilly days and time-trials both will be at the front, not only in the mountains, and both come in with similarly strong teams into the race - although Jumbo-Visma has been having it's lineup swept by Covid-19.

“Of course I'm afraid of corona, but we're going to treat it like the Vuelta. We are going to give it a little more attention, wash our hands... That is also where the full focus is on the next three weeks. The fact that a few riders are now not participating for that reason should be a clear message for everyone. Everyone should know that we should not infect each other.”

Coming into the race however other riders can be serious competition, specially taking into consideration how many could crack in the final week. The likes of João Almeida, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Aleksandr Vlasov sit the highest behind, whilst the podium positions will also be open.

However Jumbo is not the only rival team Evenepoel acknowledges: “I don't really think about that. INEOS Grenadiers and Bahrain Victorious are the strongest teams on paper, they can surprise with a tactic. INEOS has a clear plan with Geraint Thomas, but UAE Emirates, EF Education-EasyPost and Bahrain Victorious can surprise with a special tactic. UAE has Jay Vine and João Almeida, which are several cards that can play for a surprising tactic. It will be a special and open race, but our team is flexible and ready for anything.”

The World Champion has net several big wins this year already, specially the recent Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He comes into the Giro without the pressure he had until mid-2022 and hopes to continue performing as consistently as he has since winning Liège last season.

“I don't feel any pressure anymore, but it did confirm what I already knew. That was the same as with the Clásica San Sebastián last year. For the team it is very, very good, because it gave a lot of riders a boost and confidence. For the Giro it really gives me a boost. Liège was more of a final preparation for the Giro than that we were trying to save the classics.”