The 2024 Tour de France is now just a matter of weeks away. For 34-year-old Primoz Roglic it could be his last realistic opportunity to claim the elusive Maillot Jaune his palmares is missing.
Although it will be Roglic's Slovenian compatriot, Tadej Pogacar who will start the Grand Tour as pre-race favourite, especially considering the immense dominance with which the UAE Team Emirates leader took victory at the Giro d'Italia last month, Roglic himself comes into the Tour de France in race-winning form having survived a final stage scare to claim the Maillot Jaune at the traditional Tour de France precursor, Criterium du Dauphine.
As always seems to be the case with Roglic, he didn't make easy on himself of especially enjoyable viewing for his fans as the BORA - hansgrohe leader cracked on the final climb of the final stage, being forced to watch main rival for the win, Matteo Jorgenson sail up the road, gaining time with every pedal stroke. Showing his experience however, Roglic didn't panic, managed his efforts well and did just enough to keep hold of the Maillot Jaune by just 8 seconds from his Team Visma | Lease a Bike replacement.
There is no secret why Roglic left Visma over the recent off-season for BORA. He wants to win the Tour de France and didn't feel he'd get that chance riding alongside Jonas Vingegaard. With Roglic turning 35 by the end of the year however and with Vingegaard's Tour de France's hopes in doubt, Tadej Pogacar coming into his second Grand Tour in the space of a couple of months off the back of the Giro d'Italia and Remco Evenepoel also somewhat less than his best due to a spring crash, this looks like it could be Roglic's best and maybe last chance to claim that elusive Maillot Jaune.
He's come close in the past of course, losing out on the final time-trial to Pogacar in thrilling fashion back in 2020 and with at least podium in each of the last 7 Grand Tours he's finished, Roglic is arguably the most viable threat to his compatriot this time around.
Another plus point for Roglic is the strength of his team. Super domestiques in the mountains such as former Giro d'Italia winner Jai Hindley and genuine Grand Tour podium contender in his own right Aleksandr Vlasov could offer enough support to challenge the UAE Team Emirates super team expected to be joining Pogacar later this month.
How do you think Roglic will fare in the fight for the Maillot Jaune? Use the poll down below to cast your vote!
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