27/09/2024

"On paper we are strong, but I prefer to be strong on the road" - Primoz Roglic previews Slovenian World Championship chances

The Slovenians have arguably the strongest team heading into the men's elite road race at the 2024 World Championships in Zurich. More than just pre-race favourite Tadej Pogacar, the men in green are also going to count on recent Vuelta a Espana champion, Primoz Roglic.

The role of the latter is still something that's not completely clear. Roglic is someone that more often than not prefers to race in a leadership role, but in Pogacar, the Slovenians have the dominant force of the 2024 campaign. Ahead of this Sunday's road race, Roglic was questioned about the team's tactics and how he and Pogacar could work together.

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"We have a national coach for that, ask him. All those scenarios about what could happen, that's not for me," the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader answers in his typically dry fashion, in quotes collected by In de Leiderstrui. "With Pogacar we have someone who wins a lot of classics, while I only do a few a year myself. But I feel good. How that is on Sunday after 275 kilometres, is another story. That makes it a challenge."

And that challenge is one that leaves Roglic incredibly excited. "That challenge to make the best of it together," the Slovenian previews. "On paper we are strong, but I prefer to be strong on the road. That counts for me."

"On paper we are strong, but I prefer to be strong on the road" - Primoz Roglic previews Slovenian World Championship chances — Roglic failed to threaten the medals in the individual time trial last weekend

Finally, the question of how the dual pronged attack of Roglic and Pogacar are set to combine was posed to the Slovenian national coach. "For us, it's important that someone comes first. Who? We don't care, we just want that rainbow jersey," he answers politically.

For his part, Pogacar seemed calm in his pre-race press conference. "There are a lot of climbs, which makes it tricky. They are not very long, but there is not really a long descent. So it will be difficult to recover completely," he previewed. "Different scenarios are possible. The difference will probably be made at the end. The distance, the course and the approach of other teams play a role of course. Our strong team has two or three assets for the final. That gives us an advantage, but we have to play smart."