19/09/2024

"I can't make any predictions" - Primoz Roglic plays it cool when asked if he'll support Tadej Pogacar in World Championships or go for glory himself

At the 2024 World Championships in Zürich, Slovenia arguably have the 2 leading contenders for victory amongst their ranks, in the form of Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic. The question is, which of the duo is going to take leadership of the team?

Tadej Pogacar is perhaps the most obvious choice having had one of the greatest seasons in cycling history so far in 2024, taking the victory at both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France plus dominantly securing some pre-World Championship momentum in Canada, at the GP Montreal last weekend. However, Roglic, victor of the Vuelta a Espana a few weeks ago, is very much an outright contender to the Rainbow Jersey himself.

ANALYSIS: Can Tadej Pogacar or Primoz Roglic win the World Championships?

In an interview with the Slovenian newspaper Delo, Roglic was questioned as to whether or not he will take on a leadership role in Switzerland, or if the 34-year-old is instead set to be used in a more luxury domestique / plan B role, primarily in service of his younger compatriot. "I can't make any predictions," answers in his typically cool fashion.

As an added thing to take into account, unlike Pogacar, Roglic actually has two goals for this World Championship, with the men's elite individual time trial also a target for the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader in Zürich. "The courses - both the time trial and the road race - suit me," Roglic assesses with ringing optimism.

Having not competed in the fight for the Rainbow Jersey since 2021 in Belgium, adding the world title to his already incredibly successful palmares would arguably be the second biggest victory remaining to Roglic, under only the Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France. Given his age and the fact that theoretically, his chances are running out, working in a dual pronged attack alongside Pogacar could actually be a massive benefit to Roglic's Rainbow Jersey chances, allowing even a record four time Vuelta a Espana champion to fly under the radar.