Roglič takes the lead at Giro

Tarvisio, 27 May - Primož Roglič won the decisive penultimate stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday to snatch the leader's jersey away from Briton Geraint Thomas, helped by massive support from Slovenian fans in the 18.6 km time trial up the Monte Lussari just across the border.

Treviso, Italy
Slovenian cycling champion Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma).
Photo: Anže Malovrh/STA
File photo

The 33-year Slovenian Jumbo-Visma rider beat Thomas, the Ineos Grenadiers rider, by 40 seconds to gain a 14-second advantage ahead of the final flat stage in Rome.

Despite incredible support from his fans, Roglič went through a drama on the brutally-steep track. After being fastest through all split times and when it seemed he can break Thomas, the chain on his bike fell off, he lost 20 seconds and he appeared to have lost the battle.

However, this appeared to have given him yet extra strength and he powered on with superhuman effort to show he is a stronger man than Thomas. Portuguese Joao Almeida came in third and the trio stand in the same order in the overall rankings.

"It's something amazing. It's not in the end about the win but about the people. The energy here is incredible. Moments to remember," Roglič said after the race, adding that the people gave him "extra watts".

This is the 73rd career stage win for Roglič, the reigning time trial Olympic champion, and his fourth at the Giro, and he is on course to become the first Slovenian to win this iconic Grand Tour race.

Looking at final, technical stage, he said the "race is not over till it's finished, but it looks good".

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© STA, 2023