Last year, Rome crowned a Slovenian, and only if a great miracle happens in the Eternal City on May 22 in the next 26 days, the crown will not end up on the head of another now legendary cyclist from that Alpine country...
It's time for the Giro d'Italia, the 107th in a row, which starts today from Venaria Reale - a place in Piedmont adorned with many castles of the Savoy Dynasty, well known in Montenegro.
Champion Primoz Roglic this year he will not defend the title, but his countryman is the absolute favorite Tadej Pogacar.
The two-time winner of the Tour de France is seen by everyone in pink at the end, due to his class and the fact that there will not be many big names at the Giro (they did not register or were injured) Jonas Vingegord, Remko Evenepul...
IT'S NOT FAIR TO OTHERS
The Slovenian master says he doesn't feel the pressure he has as a big favorite, but...
- I think it is not fair to the other participants of the Race around Italy that the journalists declared me the only favorite - said the Emirati cyclist for RTV Slovenia.
The media even expect that after today's first hilly stage to Turin, Pogačar could wear a pink shirt and not take it off from Rome.
- Something like that is hard to imagine - I don't see myself in such a situation, nor do I have such a plan, even if I was completely sure of myself - I should drive using my head. For himself and the team - added Pogačar.
THOMAS, BARDE AND YOUNG VISMA
The reason why Pogačar demands respect from all his rivals is that some big names in cycling will take part in the Giro, regardless of the fact that they have not been at their peak in recent years - such as the former Welsh winner of the Tour de France Geraint Thomas from Ineos or master of the mountains by Roman Barde from the DSM team.
- Yes, I see those two as the main rivals, but many others who are coming are in great shape, and surprises on the 'grand tour' are always possible - stressed Pogačar.
The Visma team won all three of the biggest races last year (Giro, Tour and Vuelta), and they arrive at this year's Tour of Italy with a young team - Vingegord, and if it hadn't been for the terrible fall in the Basque Country, they would probably have skipped the Giro. Vut van Aert was injured, and Roglič is now a member of Bora, so the Belgian will Sian Uytdebroeks to have the opportunity to show what kind of talent it is.
Along with all of them, Ben O'Connor (Decathlon–AG2R) from Australia is among the favorites.
PANTANIJEVA OROPA, MORTIROLO, STELVIO, MONTE GRAPA...
The spectacle on the Giro starts already tomorrow and the second stage ends on the famous ascent of Oropa, where in 1999 the great Marko Pantani recorded one of the epic victories.
During the first week, the Giro will go from Turin to Naples, and that part will be marked by the sixth stage through Tuscany, when it will also be driven on gravel. A day later, the first time trial that ends in Perugia is on the program.
However, a real spectacle is expected when the Giro returns to the alpine part - the 15th stage brings the return of the legendary Mortirolo pass, and the 16th the equally famous Stelvio serpentine.
The Giro saved the show for the end, so the 20th stage will bring a double climb to Monte Grapa, a mountain that played a big role in two world wars.
Finally, Rome and the Colosseum remain - for the coronation of the new king of Italy.
Bonus video:
