01/10/2023

INEOS Grenadiers and BORA-hansgrohe thought to be leading the race for Roglic

For who will Primoz Roglic ride in 2024? It's one of the big questions in the cycling world today and the latest updates surrounding the Slovenian's future seem to suggest it's become a two-horse race.

Prior to the Giro dell'Emilia on Saturday, (a race Roglic would go on to win), the three-time Vuelta a Espana champion ended weeks of speculation to confirm his imminent departure from Jumbo-Visma. Immediately, a new round of rumours circulated about the teams most interested in the Slovenian and where he would end up.

“He has received a huge offer beyond all expectations" - More details on Primoz Roglic's Jumbo-Visma departure

Now, according to the latest reports from GCN, two teams lead the way in the race for Roglic's signature, BORA - hansgrohe and the INEOS Grenadiers. Two teams with Grand Tour winning pedigree, two teams where Roglic would likely get his wish and return to a role of undisputed Grand Tour leader and grant him an opportunity at Tour de France success.

"In the last week, a raft of WorldTour teams have talked to Roglič’s agent about signing the 33-year-old but one-by-one the list has thinned down after Movistar Team, Lidl-Trek, Bahrain Victorious and Jayco-AlUla all denied that they had offered Roglič a contract after initial discussions," GCN report.

"Better for both parties, I'm sure" - Primoz Roglic further explains decision to part ways with Jumbo-Visma after Giro dell'Emilia victory

INEOS would likely be able to offer Roglic a higher contract, however given the long flirtation with Remco Evenepoel and rumours the Belgian will leave his current employers should the Jumbo-Visma/Soudal - Quick-Step merger go through, is it feasible for Sir Jim Ratcliffe's team to shell out the big bucks on both Roglic and Evenepoel?

BORA - hansgrohe it must be remembered, have won a Grand Tour more recently than INEOS through Jai Hindley at the 2022 Giro d'Italia. With the likes of Aleksandr Vlasov, Lennard Kamna and Belgian prodigy Cian Uijtdebroeks, there's plenty of climbing talent to join Roglic in the mountains if he chose them.

"There is already a contract for Evenepoel with INEOS. The deal between him and the British team will be completed" - Reports say there's no chance of Evenepoel riding for Visma-Soudal merger

After a memorable ride together, Team Jumbo-Visma grant Primoz Roglic the opportunity to pursue his ambitions elsewhere in the future. First, all focus will be on the upcoming Italian races. Gremo! 💪 pic.twitter.com/bIWc0Q5tjU
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) September 30, 2023