Primož Roglič didn’t have any stage 19 podium duties on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo however dived into the backstage space to heat down on the rollers and quietly have fun one other profitable journey within the mountains on the Giro d’Italia.
On Tuesday, Roglič appeared on the ropes after dropping 25 seconds on the Monte Bondone end however the Jumbo-Visma rider refused to surrender within the three-way tussle with Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) and João Almeida (UAE Group Emirates).
Within the remaining 1.5km of the steep climb to the breathtaking Tre Cime di Lavaredo end, Roglič attacked twice, with Almeida dropping contact and extra treasured seconds.
Roglič solely managed to distance Thomas within the remaining metres to achieve three seconds and cut back his general deficit to only 26 seconds, but it surely was a psychological victory. He has distanced Almeida to 59 seconds and so solely has to beat Thomas to have a shot at general victory. Now Thomas and Roglič will face off in Saturday’s decisive 18.6km mountain time trial at Monte Lussari.
Roglič has been evasive earlier than and after levels on the Giro d’Italia however Cyclingnews satisfied him to talk briefly after he hugged and kissed his spouse and younger son, who’re following the Giro d’Italia in a camper van.
“I’m comfortable. It was enjoyable and tomorrow we go full once more,” Roglič mentioned to a rising scrum of media, microphones and cameras. “It’s good, eh, I received a little bit of legs again, so tomorrow we go full.”
Roglič famously misplaced the 2020 Tour de France to Tadej Pogacar within the La Planches des Belles Filles in an analogous remaining mountain time trial, dropping virtually two minutes to his compatriot and so the yellow jersey.
He insisted he had no fears three years on and claimed he was assured for the mountain time trial from Tarvisio close to the Austrian and Slovenian border as much as the postcard end atop Monte Lussari.
“If I wasn’t assured I would not begin. The most effective one on the finish wins,” Roglič mentioned defiantly.
Sepp Kuss once more performed an important position in supporting Roglič. He was once more there till his group chief made his first assault with 1.5km to go and once more revealed extra about Roglič’s race and his situation.
The rider from Durango defined why Roglič opted to not assault earlier.
“It was a troublesome, arduous day, with the climb to the end even more durable than I imagined. With such a steep climb at altitude you need to reserve it for the tip. When you make an assault you don’t really go very far, the distinction comes if somebody is having a nasty day,” Kuss defined.
“We didn’t must attempt an assault earlier, Ineos was doing a superb tempo and so Primoz saved his legs to make a transfer when it mattered.
“I noticed him make an assault on the steep half. The time acquire will not be a lot but it surely’s a lift for morale. With how Thomas is using on the steep climbs it’s arduous to make an enormous distinction however I believe the time acquire will give Primož a lift for the time trial.
“It must be a grand finale. There have been small variations in the present day however I believe tomorrow goes to be an enormous deciding day, it will be thrilling.”
