31/08/2023

"Let Primoz go? That would be very bad, he is our king" - Jumbo-Visma have no intention to entertain Roglic transfer talks

Primoz Roglic and Jumbo-Visma have had an incredibly successful relationship ever since the Slovenian first joined the team back in 2016. Rumours of a possible departure however, continue to swirl although Richard Plugge would not like to see rider and team part ways.

"Let Primoz go? That would be very bad, he is our king," the Jumbo-Visma CEO said in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad, shutting down any potential talk of the four-time Grand Tour winner racing in different colours. "I think it's a nonsense story."

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One of the main reasons rumoured to be behind a potential Roglic departure is the fact that after taking the Maglia Rosa earlier this year, only the Tour de France is lacking from his Grand Tour palmares. With Jonas Vingegaard understandably holding firm his position of Jumbo-Visma leader in the race for the Maillot Jaune however, the ambitious Lidl-Trek could tempt Roglic with promises of a Tour de France charge.

“In our view, we could best tackle the Vuelta with both. Jonas and Primoz complement each other enormously in this round. We should not pass up that opportunity. In some cases, Primoz's chance increases if Jonas is also there. Or vice versa," Plugge says before referencing the potential of the pair taking on the 2024 Tour de France together. "Once we know the 2024 course, we will see from the team what our chance is of winning with Jumbo-Visma. That can be with two, if necessary three leaders."

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Both Roglic and Vingegaard lead a two-pronged Jumbo-Visma charge at the current Vuelta a Espana and Plugge is hopeful after the early stages, although overcoming reigning champion, Remco Evenepoel, admittedly looks challenging.

"Primoz is the leader of the team, but Jonas is now too. Primoz is someone who always and everywhere goes for it with his resilience and fighting spirit. With his final kick he can also get a lot of victories. Jonas sincerely grants it to Primoz as well. When Jonas was still a young, pale boy, Primoz taught him many lessons," concludes Plugge with a compliment to Evenepoel. "I hope he doesn't get any better than he already is. He is the biggest favourite. How he drives himself, how aerodynamic he is."