Remco Evenepoel looks to "be attentive and finish in the same time as the other GC favourites" at Gran Sasso d'Italia

Remco Evenepoel sits second in the overall classification ahead of the first summit finish of the race. Gran Sasso d'Italia will see a battle between the strongest climbers in the race. He commented on how Primoz Roglic should be nervous however he now explains the statement.

"I said I was in his situation in the Volta a Catalunya. Then it made us nervous as a team, because I had to take back time. So I can imagine that it is now the other way around. But it's typical for the media to make that bigger than it actually was," Evenepoel said this morning, before addressing his injuries: “Everything feels good. The injuries are not as bad as they were last year in the Vuelta after my crash. I don't feel stiff, so I can be happy with this result.”

The two are separated by 44 seconds ahead of the day, a gap which may grow on stage 9 if the World Champion puts in a performance as he did on the opening day. His two crashes on stage 5 will however put doubt in the head of many on his condition, including himself, and so he doesn't sound too keen on stirring the pot this afternoon.

“It might be one of the longest days of this Giro. But yesterday I had a good day and I'm happy with how I'm doing here for the start," he assured. He begins the day in second place on the overall classification after Andreas Leknessund took over the race lead at Lago Laceno, something which will take away some responsibility from Soudal - Quick-Step as it was planned.

The final ascent is in total 45 kilometers long, however the ascent to Campo Imperatore itself is just over 6. However in a day with 217 kilometers, 4000 meters of climbing and rough weather, little details can turn into big losses on such terrain. “I have to stay calm, be attentive and finish in the same time as the other GC favourites. That is today's main goal."

"And if we fight for the stage victory, then I will also sprint for it. It is a very long final climb, but not a super tough one. But we go very high, and there are also the toughest kilometers. That can make it difficult. It's also getting cold, so I think the conditions might get tougher than the climb itself," Evenepoel concluded.