Remco Evenepoel lead at 2023 Giro d'Italia 'is a tiny gap' - Robbie McEwen says on The Breakaway

Robbie McEwen played down the significance of Remco Evenepoel’s time trial triumph at the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia. Evenepoel opened up a 22-second lead at the top of the general classification with speculation that he has come to Italy in dominant form, and may not be overhauled over the course of the next few weeks. Ad The season’s first Grand Tour is a chance for the biggest names in cycling to put down a marker with the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana yet to come.

Giro d'ItaliaEvenepoel 'obliterated’ Giro TT, will force rivals 'back to the drawing board' — Lloyd19 HOURS AGO However, McEwen told Eurosport’s The Breakaway that people should not read too much into the lead with so much racing still to come. “We put it into context of yesterday’s time trial, barely 20 kilometres, 43 seconds is a big gap," McEwen said with regard to Evenepoel’s lead over big rival Primoz Roglic. «But 43 seconds in the context of 3,500 km and 21 stages of racing, and the mountain stages to come, it’s a tiny gap.

“On the road on a climb, that gap translates to a few hundred metres. That’s just nothing, it’s not a lead where you’d say it’s all over, race for second. Giro d'Italia Stage 2: Live Vollering 'hungry for revenge' on Van Vleuten after Vuelta crosswind controversy Evenepoel 'obliterated' Giro TT, will force rivals 'back to the drawing board' — Lloyd “It’s a lot of damage on just 20km but the race is very long, and that’s why Primoz Roglic is still very upbeat about his own chances.” Adam Blythe, however, thought the early success was ominous.