Roglic hopes for advantage Slovenian "madhouse": "Combination with good legs might lead to something beautiful"

With great pain and effort, Primoz Roglic reduced his deficit to Geraint Thomas to 26 seconds in the queen stage of the Giro d'Italia. While the leader of Team Jumbo-Visma seemed to briefly struggle against Thomas in the final few hundred meters, he ultimately passed the pink jersey rider after a final display of strength.

"I'm happy with the performance, it was good," Roglic tells Eurosport. "The legs are coming back a bit," the Slovenian says, referring to his lesser form after being involved in a crash during the second week. Roglic finished the stage in fourth place, only just missing out on a bonus. Escapee Magnus Cort crossed the finish line just ahead of him.

Saturday will be decisive for the pink journey, with a tough time trial on the schedule. In the final part, the incredibly steep Monte Lussari will have to be conquered. "Tomorrow, we'll give it our all," Roglic says about the time trial. "If I wasn't confident, I wouldn't start. The best will win."

Roglic stood out during the nineteenth stage because of a bike change in the final section. The bike offered a lighter gear for the final climb. When asked if he would also use that bike for the climb in the time trial, Roglic answered very clearly: "Yes."

On the team website, Roglic reflects more extensively on the stage. "The past two days in the Dolomites were beautiful. However, the most important day is tomorrow," Roglic says, looking ahead. "As a team, we look back on a good day. At the end, I was up to the challenge and my legs were good enough to try something."

Roglic could count on the support of his fellow countrymen during the climb. "I enjoyed the massive support along the roadside. It's wonderful to ride past so many enthusiastic fans. I expect it to be a madhouse tomorrow as well. Perhaps that support, combined with good legs, can help create something beautiful."

"We have been working towards the climax of this race, and tomorrow will be decisive. I will do my utmost, give it my all, and try to draw energy from the support of the fans. It's sure to be a tough but exciting day," concludes Roglic.

Van Dongen: "We believe in achieving the best possible result"

Team manager Arthur van Dongen also shared his thoughts on the nineteenth stage. "This Giro is now approaching its climax. As it stands, tomorrow will be a matter of mere seconds. Thomas and Primoz are not even giving each other an inch at the moment. We would have liked to grab those last four bonus seconds, but in the end, we are satisfied with how the stage ended."

"We will start tomorrow with confidence. Hopefully, the presence of the fans will further energize Primoz and fuel that fighting spirit he already possesses. It was fantastic to see how many Slovenians were cheering him on today. We believe in achieving the best possible result," a determined Van Dongen concludes.

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