"You wouldn't wish that on anyone" - Primoz Roglic on Remco Evenepoel's Giro abandon

Primoz Roglic has had a battle with Remco Evenepoel at the Vuelta a Espana last year, which ended prematurely because of a crash. Once again their Grand Tour duel has ended before planned, the Slovenian isn't too fond of the situation.

“You wouldn't wish that on anyone. I keep repeating it: we have only just started this Giro and a lot will happen. I have no doubt that Remco will be back soon. He will be super strong, he has already had worse setbacks,” Roglic said in an interview with Sporza.

Although the Covid-19 diagnosis was quite the shock for most of the peloton, it is ultimately positive for the Slovenian's chances of taking a maiden Giro d'Italia win. However he knows he now has to contest with strong competition from INEOS Grenadiers who are first and third in the overall classification.

“That will certainly change the course, but not really if I want to win. I have to focus on myself and we have to stay healthy," the Jumbo-Visma rider continued. "Do I worry? It was already difficult to appear here with eight of us at the start. We try to keep everything under control, but you also need luck.”

Jumbo-Visma were hit by Covid the days leading up to the race, but has since remained safe whilst many teams suffer losses from infections. Roglic enters the second week in second place only 2 seconds behind Geraint Thomas. The main favourites now enter week two almost tied in time, and Roglic understands the challenge that lays ahead.

“From now on, every stage is a key stage. And I don't need to talk about the final week anymore. What are my tactical options? I just need to have the best legs. Then everything is possible. I will be satisfied in Rome when I have made the most of it," he concludes. "On Saturday I certainly took seconds for the first time and I did not lose any time. So far so good.”