Primoš Roglic's stage win in Tirreno-Adriatico was symbolic for the Slovenian in many ways: it marked his return after months of rehabilitation and pain following complex bone graft surgery on his right shoulder. The hard training of the past few weeks has also confirmed that he is the favorite to win the Giro d'Italia, which begins in this part of Italy in less than two months.

On a lighter note, the win also meant the end of Roglic's hairy legs, which had caused a stir in the Tirreno-Adriatico peloton this week.

"It's been a long time since I've won.

"I said I would only shave my legs if I won a race, so now I have to. But after six months, it's easier said than done. It's going to take a long time to shave all this hairy stuff off to fix it," he joked, clearly pleased and relieved to have won again.

The Slovenian last won stage 4 of the 2022 Vuelta a España. However, his season ended in pain and complicated surgery after he crashed during a sprint duel with Fred Wright at the end of stage 16. He underwent bone graft surgery, which solved his long-standing shoulder problems.

Roglic's shoulder was immobilized for eight weeks after the surgery, and he did not return to serious training until mid-December. He disclosed his recent pain and suffering.

"I went through some difficult months after the shoulder surgery. It was hard for me, my family, and everyone around me. I made a lot of sacrifices, but now I'm back and I'm even more grateful for the good moments because I didn't make it to the top."

"You always have a lot of doubt when things don't go your way or work for you. But that's part of life. You have to remember who you are, where you come from, what you do in life, and how you do it. With the support of my family, I am well prepared for this season."

Roglic won with his trademark, almost unmatched surge to the line. After securing a good position in the final kilometer and putting his rivals in front, he accelerated at the right time to the finish line in Tortoreto, a village on a hill overlooking the Adriatic coast. He defeated Julien Alaphilippe (Sourdal-Quickstep) and Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates), confirming the quality of his victory.

However, the stage could have been much different. Jumbo-Visma had originally planned to field Wout Van Aert, but the Belgian tangled with Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) on the climb before the finish and crashed. Wout had the misfortune to crash, but I was a little more to the left and was able to avoid it. I was on the left side and was able to avoid it. I was lucky this time."

"We changed our plan and we did it. That's cycling."

"You always have to be ready to change your plans.

Roglic has been training at altitude for a long time in recent weeks and decided late in the day to compete in the Tirreno Adriatico with the Jumbo Vismo team; his original plan for spring 2023 was a training camp before the Catalunya Volta and Giro d'Italia. scheduled to take place.

However, he was itching to race again, and his presence in Italy boosted Jumbo Visma's chances of competing with UAE Team Emirates for World Tour supremacy.

"I had done a big block of training and felt ready to race. My training was good enough and I needed to take the last step to build my form," explained Roglic.

"I was surprised to win so quickly, but I felt ready to get back racing and get back in the peloton.

Roglic received a 10-second time bonus for his stage win and moved into second place overall, six seconds ahead of Leonard Kemna (Bora-Hansgrohe).

However, he was outspoken about the mountain finish atop the Sassottetto on stage 5 and especially about the possibility of remaining in contention for the overall on the serrated sixth stage around Osimo with its short but steep "Muri" climb that will define Tirreno-Adriatico.

Roglic was bitterly disappointed at the prospect of having to climb 20 short, steep grades in just 24 hours after the 13km climb to Sassotet.

"I have no idea what the rest of the race will bring or what my form will be," he confessed.

"It was only a three-kilometer climb today, so I was fine. There are a couple more tomorrow, but Saturday will be tougher." Wilco Kelderman and Thijsje Benoot are good riders and we want to do our best as a team. Just to win this stage is great for me."