Giro d'Italia 2023: 'Tough' to see Geraint Thomas on Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel's level says Alberto Contador

Geraint Thomas may struggle to keep up with Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel at the upcoming Giro d'Italia, reckons Eurosport's Alberto Contador. Thomas finished third at last year's Tour de France, which was a commendable performance given the superiority of Tadej Pogacar and eventual winner Jonas Vingegaard.

Ad But this season has not begun well for the 36-year-old, with a recurrent illness disrupting his race calendar. Giro d'ItaliaRoglic's Giro support team in tatters as Jumbo-Visma hit by Covid4 HOURS AGO Thomas did, however, feature at the recent Tour of the Alps, but could only finish 15th, 1'38" down on overall winner and Ineos Grenadiers team-mate Teo Geoghegan Hart.

And it's that display in particular that has Contador feeling Thomas won't be in contention for the maglia rosa. «Geraint Thomas is a rider of tremendous quality,» Contador told Eurosport.

«We all know this, having seen the great results he has obtained, especially that victory at the Tour de France. »But going by today, especially as we see his recent results for example at the Tour of the Alps, I think it is complicated that Thomas will be battling for the Giro d’Italia with Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel.

Evenepoel: Falling out of love with football, and rivalling Pogacar, Vingegaard Highlights: Vernon wins Stage 1 sprint at Romandie as Yates abandons «Two riders that are peaking right now, that seem to be flying and winning in most races they take part in. It’s tough for me to see Thomas at that same level.» Contador, assessing what success would look like for Thomas in Italy, concluded: «I think a good Giro for Thomas would be to be close to Remco and Roglic, competing with them.» The Giro will also be notable for the presence in the field