The ideal profile of a champion coming to the Giro should start with one primary characteristic: seriousness. I use this somewhat outdated term, almost offensive now, but I could use many other synonyms. The important thing is to understand each other. And grasp the meaning. The champion arriving in Italy must not have training for the Tour on his mind, must not be thinking of enjoying the scenery while easily accumulating kilometers, must not be booking tables at starred restaurants for the evening. He must come here with a single fixed idea: to win. Obsessively thinking about returning home with the pink jersey. About adding a great medal to his curriculum. For this reason, the ideal champion must respect the Giro. Esteem it, consider it. And spend the preceding months dreaming about it even at night, while during the day he goes all out with appropriate and specific preparation.

The ideal Giro champion must not come here by chance to play the sycophantic fool, spouting hypocritical nonsense like "I've dreamed of being here my whole life, finally I can race the race of my dreams, since I was little I dreamed of winning the Giro, everyone talks about the Tour but the Giro remains the most beautiful race in the world". We don't need these offerings, these shoulder pats, this fake compassion. Just as we cannot accept that the big star comes to Italy to hide at the back of the group, only showing up at the starts, as has happened too many times, perhaps then withdrawing with some random excuse when things get too tough.

The champion we want to honor and thank must love the Giro for what it is. And when he decides to come, he comes at the peak of his abilities, bringing the best of his team, not four mediocre riders to be rewarded with a prize trip.

Such a champion deserves all our respect because he gives it first, as should always be the case in all areas of life. Unfortunately, such champions are becoming increasingly rare. Given this profile, we've already understood each other: Roglic has the perfect profile of a Giro champion. Not just today. Always. When he comes here, he considers and loves it with his entire being. Whether he wins or loses, he races at maximum effort from the first to the last stage (as was seen even in this first time trial).

One can root for Roglic or root against Roglic. It's part of the game, and that's right. But from whatever angle you look at him, you can't help but stand up and tip your hat when he passes. If I were Cairo, even before knowing if he'll be given the pink jersey in Rome, I would immediately have a bust set up in the lobby, with something like this written underneath: Primoz Roglic, the champion who doesn't snub, doesn't humiliate, doesn't make fun of the Giro. The ideal champion, the champion who in the year 2025 kept the show going.