Rohan Dennis: "I feel like I'm growing to a good level. That is also good news for Primoz"

In 2020 Rohan Dennis was an instrumental part of INEOS Grenadiers' Giro d'Italia victory. This year he could be on the other side of the frame, as his form is improving as the race reaches the Alps and he could help Jumbo-Visma to put the British team under difficulty.

Jumbo-Visma came with a modest team to the Giro, with the exception of Sepp Kuss for the mountains, but the first time the race seriously got thinned down in a long ascent the Dutch team were well present with several riders towards the front. The Australian was one of them, keeping up with the group until the final kilometers as INEOS Grenadiers paced up it.

Noticeably there were no attacks from the main favourites, neither did Jumbo push the pace despite their numbers. “I think it was because of the headwind," Dennis believes. "If it was in the wheel, it was a lot easier. If G (Geraint Thomas, ed.) or Primoz or whoever had attacked, you could save a lot of energy by being in the wheel. The battle was simply paralyzed in that way.”

Hence the fight for the pink jersey was postponed yet another day. Dennis, who finished 25th on the day, had his best sensations so far into the race and he could end up being crucial for Roglic. “I feel like I'm growing to a good level. That is also good news for Primoz. I knew the first part of the Giro would be difficult for me. I came from a week of rest, so I knew I needed some time," he concluded.