Jay Vine will team up with Tadej Pogacar this season with the aim of winning the Giro d’Italia. Furthermore, during a conversation with Remco Evenepoel, the Australian cyclist revealed that the Belgian expressed the possibility of never participating in the Corsa Rosa again.
Change of plans
Vine was scheduled to race the Tour Down Under in January, but after deciding to race the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, several changes were made to his calendar.
Vine will compete in the UAE Tour, Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya. A calendar completely focused on progressing in stage races, and in the latter, he will already be with team star Tadej Pogacar. The pair will be a fundamental part of the Giro d’Italia block, will then do altitude training and finally reach the Giro in Venaria Reale.
Tadej will do things the Tadej way
“Tadej is usually the favorite to win any race he starts in, so it will be amazing to be with the guy who is always a 50% favorite to win the overall classification. It will be spectacular. Tadej will do things the Tadej way”, believes Vine.
In 2023 he raced the Giro with modest general classification ambitions, however he believes that even playing a supporting role for Pogacar he will still have the chance to pursue his aspirations in the future.
“I don’t think this will kill my chances, Jumbo-Visma just got on the podium in a big Tour with three guys,” argues Vine.
Remco Evenepoel revelation
Vine concludes with a revelation regarding Remco Evenepoel. Although it may have been said in jest, it reveals the words of the biggest Belgian star: “I spoke to Remco and he said he would never do the Giro again”, as he will now focus entirely on the Tour de France.