Ineos stars can make it 'very difficult' for Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic at Giro d’Italia - Adam Blythe

Ineos Grenadiers duo Geraint Thomas and Tao Geoghegan Hart can “start to play the numbers game” and take the fight to Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) at the Giro d'Italia, according to Eurosport expert Adam Blythe. Thomas and Geoghegan Hart starred in a lively finish to Stage 8 on Saturday, following a strong attack from Roglic on the final climb, as Evenepoel wilted behind. The pair refused to contribute more than a token effort to Roglic’s attack as they were dragged to the finish in Fossombrone – taking 14 seconds back on Evenepoel in the race for the maglia rosa.

Ad Evenepoel and Roglic were the runaway favourites ahead of the Giro, but Thomas and Geoghegan’s Hart’s presence in the finale on Saturday hints at a wider battle for pink – a battle that could stretch five ways if Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) backs up an impressive first week. Giro d'ItaliaHow to watch Stage 9 as Evenepoel and Roglic chase pink in time trialAN HOUR AGO Evenepoel is second in the race for pink, eight seconds adrift of Norway’s Andreas Leknessund (DSM). Roglic is at 38", Almedia at 40", Thomas at 52" and Geoghegan Hart at 56".

When asked on The Breakaway if the Stage 8 finale showed it was not shaping into the expected 'mano o mano' battle, Blythe said: «It’s not at all. »For me, Tao went the quickest up the final climb because he started further back, had to make his way up. Just as he and Geraint got onto Remco’s wheel, you saw him almost take a breath and go ‘we are not going to take this guy with us if we are going to go’.

«I’m very happy that Primoz is in good condition. But with Ineos Grenadiers having two leaders in the team, they can really start to play the numbers game. That’s what is going to