Primoz Roglic ended the first week of the 2025
Giro d'Italia with a big blow after losing considerable time on the 'mini Strade Bianche' stage 9, and being left with cuts and bruises after a crash. Bouncing back strongly on the stage 10 time trial however, Roglic has gained time back on all his GC rivals, reinvigorating the
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe team according to
Giulio Pellizzari.
"I took it easy," Pellizzari reflected in a post-stage 10 interview with Bici.Pro, reflecting on his own time trial efforts in Pisa. "I had really good legs, and I really wanted to push, but from the team car they kept telling me to slow down — they need me. And I'm here for the team. The good thing is I was able to test myself on a long time trial. I know I still have a lot of room to improve."
Pellizzari is now also even more important to Roglic and Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe than previously expected too, given the fact former Maglia Rosa winner and expected last man standing for Roglic in the mountains,
Jai Hindley, crashed out last week. "A month ago I wasn't even supposed to ride the Giro d’Italia. Now I'm here... and doing well," says the Italian. "How has my Giro changed since Hindley’s crash? A lot. We definitely lost our most important rider, so now we’re focusing on supporting Primoz, and we believe he can turn things around. We have a lot of faith in him."
And as mentioned, spirits are high in the team once again after Roglic's big ride against the clock on Tuesday afternoon. "Yeah, there's a good vibe with Primoz," concludes Pellizzari. "I’m here to help him. I’m learning a lot during this Giro, and I’m happy with my role. In fact, I think if I had been riding for the general classification myself, I wouldn’t have been ready. I’m realizing that thanks to Primoz. I’m trying to learn as much as I can. And maybe next year... I’ll be the one in his place."