Cycling-Slovenia's Pogacar in a class of his own ahead of Giro debut

FILE PHOTO: Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 20 - Belfort to Le Markstein Fellering - France - July 22, 2023 UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win stage 20 REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

(Reuters) - Tadej Pogacar is such a huge favourite for this year's Giro d'Italia which begins in Turin on Saturday that the real battle looks like being for the runners-up spot.

The 25-year-old Slovenian, making his Giro debut, has been imperious this season, racking up seven wins in 10 days of racing including the Strade Bianche and Liege-Bastogne-Liege which he won with audacious long-range solos.