The American sits five shots off the lead with Dubai-based Thomas Detry and Thorbjorn Oleson staying in contention on a record-setting day
Ineos Grenadiers rider Geraint Thomas said he is enjoying his underdog status at the Giro d'Italia with all eyes focused on Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar.
Two-times Tour de France champion Pogacar, making his Giro debut, has racked up seven wins in 10 days of racing this season and is a huge favourite for this year's competition.
Pogacar, leader of the powerful UAE Emirates team, is the hottest favourite to start a Grand Tour for years.
Thomas, who finished second at last year's Giro, said the attention on Pogacar had taken some of the weight off the other riders in the race.
"It's the Giro, a lot can go good, a lot can go bad," former Tour de France champion Thomas told reporters ahead of the May 4-26 race.
"It's a massive task for us, because Tadej is a phenomenal bike rider, probably one of the greatest ever. But you don't ever think first place has gone.
"If anything, it takes the pressure off because everyone expects him to win, they don't expect us to do anything. We're relishing the challenge," added the Welsh rider.
The first stage of the Giro, a 140 km (87 miles) ride from Venaria Reale to Turin, takes place on Saturday.
ALSO READ
The American sits five shots off the lead with Dubai-based Thomas Detry and Thorbjorn Oleson staying in contention on a record-setting day
Olympic champion set the target that no one in the 156-player field could match at Valhalla Golf Club
Competition with confirmed field of more than 800 to be held at Al Nasr Club Dubai from May 17-19
The 35-year-old is currently keeping Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL playoffs hopes alive with powerful performances
Bolt is confident that the Caribbeans will become the first team to win a hat trick of T20 World Cup titles
Dubai Premier Padel P1 is part of a 25-tournament season that visits 18 countries across five continents
Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk is the underdog going into Saturday's long-awaited unifying title fight with Tyson Fury in Riyadh
Victory at the Etihad against West Ham on Sunday will make them champions for a fourth consecutive season