Giro d'Italia 2023: Jumbo Visma and Primoz Roglic will try to 'crack Remco Evenepoel mentally', says Philippe Gilbert

Team Jumbo Visma and Primoz Roglic will try to «crack Remco Evenepoel mentally» at the Giro d'Italia, believes former world road race champion Philippe Gilbert. The much-anticipated showdown between Roglic and Evenepoel is a clash of the eras, with Roglic — at 33 — the elder statesman compared to the Belgian's 23 years of age. Ad And as well as the individual battle, there is the intriguing aspect of the role the pair's respective teams will play during the Giro.

Giro d'ItaliaTratnik withdraws from Giro d'Italia following training accident, Team Jumbo-Visma confirm20 HOURS AGO Jumbo's ability to use their team effectively was best seen at last year's Tour de France — none more so than on the memorable stage 11 — where the likes of Roglic and Wout van Aert were used, in support of Jonas Vingegaard, to wear down Tadej Pogacar, who could not fall back on domestiques of that ilk. It's something the Dutch outfit may choose to do again against Evenepoel's Soudal–Quick-Step team in a bid to isolate the young Belgian. However, Roglic's team have suffered a disrupted build-up to the Grand Tour, with five riders dropping out due to a combination of illness and injury.

‘I still get a real buzz’ — Thomas steers away from retirement, opens contract talks with Ineos Roglic's Giro support team in tatters as Jumbo-Visma hit by Covid Gilbert, talking exclusively to Eurosport, said of the forthcoming 'Roglic v Remco' duel: «It's interesting for us to see them fighting again after La Vuelta last year. »They know each other. They had a big battle, and Remco was winning the first one.