Roglic’s masterpiece, wins Giro d’Italia with a thrilling time trial

Roglic’s masterpiece, wins Giro d’Italia with a thrilling time trial

Primoz Roglic dominates stage 20 of the Giro d’Italia 2023, an 18-kilometer time trial from Tarvisio to Monte Lussari, and mortgages the final victory of the pink race.

The Slovenian cyclist of Jumbo-Visma triumphed in the time trial with a time of 44’23”, despite a problem with his bike chain, beating Ineos Grenadiers rider Geraint Thomas, who thus has to give up the pink jersey to his rival, by more than 40 seconds.

The Giro d’Italia thus ends in Roglic’s hands, barring any unlikely twists and turns in the final stage-passerelle with arrival in Rome.

Portugal’s Joao Almeida finished third, confirming the podium ahead of Damiano Caruso, the first Italian and fourth in the general classification. Fifth place went to Thibaut Pinot of Groupama-Fdj.

Roglic will thus wear the pink jersey for the first time in the final stage that will anoint him champion: “It’s an incredible feeling. My chain fell off, I put it right back on. I could have lost everything, but that’s part of racing. The crowd gave me a few extra watts and I enjoyed the atmosphere and energy of the event. There is one day left until the end. The course is tomorrow’s is technical. It’s not over until it’s over, but we are close to a wonderful finish.”