On Sunday, Primoš Roglic wore the blue jersey for the last time, holding up the Tirreno-Adriatico winner's trophy. He was happy to be back to his best ahead of the Catalunya Volta and then the Giro d'Italia in May against Remco Evenepoel.

"It's great to be back like I was this week. I enjoyed it and we can celebrate this victory. I've worked so hard for this win, I have to enjoy it," he said, praising his Jumbo Visma teammates for their support during the testing seven-day race in central Italy.

"I might have made the podium by myself, but really it should have been the whole team. Everyone on the team worked hard all week to help me win. I enjoyed my time with them.

Roglic has not raced since crashing at last year's Vuelta a España and undergoing bone graft surgery last October to stabilize his left shoulder. Adriatico, he looked toned and fit.

He entered the Italian race late, and his Jumbo-Visma team took advantage of UCI rules to add his name to the entry list just before the final deadline of 72 hours before the race.

Roglic ran unshaven legs for half the race before winning stage 4 and completing his hat trick of overall victories.

"The opening time trial was very painful. But after that I started to find my rhythm in the race day by day.

"Coming back from surgery was tough. Fortunately, I had great support from my family and people around me. We always believed things would work out and we worked together. Now I can be proud and happy."

Roglic won Tirreno-Adriatico, but admitted that he is not in the best shape yet for the Giro d'Italia. He will ride the Volta a Catalunya from March 20-26, then return to the high country for crucial training for the Giro d'Italia.

"There is a lot to work on," he said.

"Every year I get one year older and wiser. I have assurance that I am on the right path, but that doesn't mean I am already where I want to be. I have to keep improving and that's what motivates me to keep going."

Logrich is no training geek, but he knows that hard work pays off.

"You can never climb fast enough. I want to climb as fast as I can, whether it's a watt or two. In a race, it doesn't really matter how much you push. [If the other racers are faster, whatever the numbers are, it's just not enough.

"But the season has just started. I'm having fun again and we'll see what happens in the Giro in May."