Two days after Remco Evenepoel, who tested positive for Covid-19 on the evening of the second individual time trial, which he had won, was forced to leave this Giro, Primoz Roglic still regrets the mishap that happened to his number 1 rival for the final victory.
Do not believe that the fact of being rid of a rival for the final victory, moreover his number 1 competitor and immense favorite of this edition, delights Primoz Roglic. Admittedly, the triple winner of the Tour of Spain, still looking for success in this Tour of Italy in which he is participating for the third time, undoubtedly finds himself with one less thorn in his side, but that does not prevent the Slovenian would have offered to dominate Remco Evenepoel on a regular basis, without knowing if he would have been able to disillusion the hero of the last Liège-Bastogne-Liège. On the eve of the 10th stage, this Monday between Scandiano and Viareggio, the leader of the Jumbo-Visma team in the absence of Jonas Vingegaard, winner of the last Tour de France, regretted that this Tour of Italy must continue without his Belgian rival, for whom he seems above all unhappy. “It’s really a shame for him (…) It’s really not great, we don’t wish that on anyone”, regrets Roglic, aware that without Evenepoel, the race is no longer the same. But not to the point of demotivating him. Quite the contrary.
Roglic: “Until Rome, the road is still long”
“His retirement changes the face of the race, but my goal remains the same: I want to win the Giro, regardless of the opponents in the race. I stay focused on me, on my team. After the abandonment of the winner of the last Vuelta, disqualified by a positive test for Covid-19 a few hours after having won the individual time trial (the second of this Giro) and regained the leader’s pink jersey , “Rogla” occupies 2nd place in the general classification, two seconds behind the new leader Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers). But aware nevertheless that there is still a long way to go. “I feel good, but the road is still long to Rome, with still strong opponents and several very difficult stages…” Evenepoel, he could console himself by finally competing in the Tour de France. “I’m sure he’ll be back soon, he’s so strong! “, assures Roglic.
