The Giro d'Italia begins on 6 May with an opening time trial between Fossacesia Marina and Ortona. After 19.6 kilometres, the first pink jersey will be up for grabs for the time trial specialists. "I haven't done many competitive time trial kilometres this season. However, I did a lot of training on the time trial bike during the altitude camp in Tenerife. I feel ready for it. I am curious about the form of the day because it is an important day for the general classification. You can immediately gain or lose seconds", the reigning Olympic time trial champion says.

There are about 73 time trial kilometres in this year's Giro. The ninth stage is a flat 35-kilometre time trial. On the penultimate day, there will be the final race against the clock on Monte Lussari, close to the border with Roglic's native Slovenia. "It is very nice to finish the Giro in a place I know well, close to home. There will be a lot of Slovenian supporters there to cheer me on. I have often skied down there, but this time I will have to cycle up", he says with a smile.

Roglic took a relaxed approach to the first grand tour of the season. "We deliberately chose to race less in the spring. After winning Tirreno-Adriatico and Volta a Catalunya, I prepared for the Giro in the best possible way. The high-altitude training camp in Tenerife did me good. Together with the team, we were able to work towards this goal. Train. Recover. Rest. Every day again."

The stage that finishes on the Campo Imperatore brings the first week to a close. In week two, the peloton heads for the Alps to finish the queen stage over the Grand Saint-Bernard and the Croix de Coeur. The riders then face a tough final week before reaching Rome. "Every day will be a new challenge", Roglic says. "To finish strong, I'll need to perform at my highest level. I am expecting a spectacular final. The stage to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and the time trial will be spectacular. I will need to give everything."

"I have good memories of the Giro", the Slovenian concludes. "In 2016, I won my first stage in a grand tour there. I later earned my first podium result in a grand tour in the 2019 Giro. I finished third, but it felt like a victory for me. Also, the fact that this race is not far from Slovenia makes me like coming there. I'm looking forward to it."

Roglic will be joined at the start by his teammates Sepp Kuss, Koen Bouwman, Tom Gloag, Michel Hessmann, Edoardo Affini, Sam Oomen and Rohan Dennis.