Giro 2023, Remco Evenepoel first pink jersey: ‘Like a world championship’

The first pink jersey of the Giro 2023 enjoys her triumph in the opening stage of the competition.

The Giro d’Italia 2023 opens in the name of Remco Evenepoel, winner of the individual time trial from Fossacesia Marina to Ortona already trimming important gaps to the competition. Only Filippo Ganna and Joao Almeida maintained gaps of less than 30 seconds, and the Belgian makes no secret of his great satisfaction.

“This was a perfect way to return to the Giro d’Italia, and I’m overjoyed about it,” Evenepoel stressed to RAI microphones. “I approached this time trial as if it were a world championship, that explains how much I wanted to take the pink jersey. I worked hard to get there, I wanted to be among the best right away and go as hard as I could. Also because at the Giro you always have to be on your toes, dangers are always around the corner.”

Giro d’Italia 2023, the standings after the first stage:

1. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) 21’18”
2. Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) +22”
3. Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +29”
4. Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos-Grenadiers) +40”
5. Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) +43”
6. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +43”
7. Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) +46”
8. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) +48”
9. Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers) +55”
10. Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgroe) +55”