Cycling star Jonas Vingegaard says he is extra excited for his first Giro d'Italia as he looks for a rare opportunity to trump rival Tadej Pogačar.
The Dane has won two Tours de France and a Vuelta a Espana while Slovenia's Pogačar triumphed in four Tours and one Giro.
Neither of the top names in current cycling have won a third Grand Tour and Vingegaard can get there first given Pogačar is not racing in the Giro, which starts in Bulgaria on Friday and finishes in Rome on May 31.
"I’ve been preparing for this race for a long time, Ever since I found out I would ride the Giro, I’ve really been looking forward to it," Team Visma-Lease a Bike's Vingegaard said on Thursday in a team release.
"This change in my schedule gave me new energy. It will be my first participation in the Giro, but I’m aware of my status as one of the favorites. The competition is strong, so I expect a battle at the highest level."
He believes the race will be decided in the third week but that "every stage counts" as he takes the Giro day-by-day.