Giro d'Italia 2023 favorites: the experts agree. Remco Evenepoel is the big favorite to win the Giro d'Italia overall. Only Primoz Roglic can be dangerous to him. But behind them lurk three dangerous challengers who feel comfortable in the role of underdogs.
Remco Evenepoel: Rainbow Jersey or Maglia Rosa?
The world champion is coming to Italy. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick-Step) has consciously decided against starting the Tour de France again this year. This not only avoids a battle with Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, but also allows him to choose a better course profile. Better for him, because with its three time trials, the 106th Giro d'Italia suits the Belgian perfectly. One might almost say it's tailor-made for him. Therefore, it's no surprise that he is the overwhelming favorite for almost all experts. Last year he won the Vuelta a España. This season he triumphed at the UAE Tour and again at Liège–Bastogne–Liège. His riding style remains impressive. However, the Giro d'Italia is a different beast altogether. The final week, in particular, is incredibly demanding. By then, he should have already built up a lead, assuming the race unfolds normally, as the two flat time trials within the first nine days clearly favor him.
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Primoz Roglic: His time is up? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that!
After the Tour de France 2022, not a few fans and experts thought that the heyday of Primoz Roglic (Jumbo – Visma) was over. But they were wrong. He already showed at the Vuelta a Espana that he is far from finished. The Slovenian will be back in 2023. He won Tirreno – Adriatico and the Tour of Catalonia – by the way ahead of Remco Evenepoel, whom he defeated in a direct duel. Roglic not only proved that he is physically able to keep the Belgian in check, but above all mentally. When the two favorites tried to stand, Roglic remained calm. Experience also speaks for him at the Giro d'Italia. His team is stronger too. In the uphill he will beat Evenepoel. If the form structure is right and he doesn't lose too much in the time trial, he could make the duel close.
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Geraint Thomas: The Brit's great bluff
If we look at this year's results for Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), we see nothing. At least we are not seeing good results. 14th place on the final stage of the Tour of the Alps was his best result. So why is the Brit still one of the Giro d'Italia favourites? Probably because hardly anyone buys his poor form. We sense a bluff – and a huge one at that. Because last year, Geraint Thomas also seemed rather weak for long stretches. Then he came to the Tour de France and easily finished third behind Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar. The now 36-year-old can be expected to do something similar at the Giro d'Italia. The flat time trials within the first nine days put him in a good position. In week three he then uses all his experience. With a strong team at his side, Geraint Thomas can mercilessly exploit his opponents' weaknesses in the final stages. At least that's his plan. If this goes wrong, you simply build on Tao Geoghegan Hart with Ineos Grenadiers. After all, he has won the Giro d'Italia before.
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Joao Almeida: We are looking for consistency for three weeks
Joao Almeida (UAE) has everything a good classification driver needs. He is fast uphill, good at time trials and recovering well. What the Portuguese has been missing so far is the three-week consistency. The 24-year-old finished on the podium in Tirreno – Adriatico and the Tour of Catalonia. But a three-week tour of the country is a whole different challenge, especially when the highlights come in the third week. So far he has finished in the top six three times in four Grand Tour participations. He was often at the forefront, but always had a bad day in the mountains. If everything goes as usual, he will have it again in the third week. If not, he's a contender for the podium - or maybe even more.
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Aleksandr Vlasov: The peak of form is in the third week
2023 has been anything but satisfactory for Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-hansgrohe) so far. The Russian has repeatedly suffered setbacks, primarily due to health issues. He hasn't been able to truly demonstrate his potential for quite some time. Now he starts the Giro d'Italia without knowing exactly where he stands. This could also prove to be an advantage, because while the two top favorites are already performing at a high level and need to maintain their form until the third week, Vlasov, with his steadily improving form, could unleash his full potential precisely when his rivals experience a dip in form. A podium finish is then within reach – and that must be his sole objective. Bora-hansgrohe is the defending champion, and Vlasov himself finished fourth two years ago. Last season, he came fifth in the Tour de France. Now, he finally needs to reach the podium in a Grand Tour.
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Giro d'Italia favourites: what's your guess?
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