Primoz Roglic on crazy changes to racing during his time in the peloton: "It's quite a challenge for all of us older guys"

Despite starting his sports career as a ski-jumper, Primoz Roglic is now one of the most experienced riders in the peloton proving to still be amongst the very best in 2024, taking a record equalling 4th Red Jersey victory at the Vuelta a Espana. During his more than a decade in the pro peloton though, the Slovenian has seen the style of racing change dramatically.

"In the past how we were racing was mostly all the time saving, saving, saving and spending energy on some right moments or right places," explains Roglic in conversation with Cycling News. "But nowadays, or especially in the races against him [Tadej Pogacar ed.], every day is the day. So, yes it's from the first day and it's from the first day, 100k to go or whatever. That is the day that you are there or you can lose it.

As such, the challenge to stay competitive in the era of long range solos and relentless attacking from the likes of Roglic's aforementioned compatriot Pogacar, is one that doesn't get any easier for the experienced Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader.

"So what is a challenge to me, is just to still be going with these steps of the younger generation … to try to adapt to this kind of way, style of racing," says Roglic. "It's a completely different way of thinking, a completely different way of racing, of level itself. That's, I think, quite a challenge for all of us older guys that still try to achieve good results."

That's not to say Roglic isn't enjoying the challenge though despite the continued lack of success in his ultimate goal. "Okay, you can always say winning Tour de France because, yes, I didn't win it yet. I mean, it would be cool to add to my palmares but also, yes, without it we'll be all fine … the Earth will turn the same," the Slovenian concludes. "I started riding the bike when I was 23 years old and it was full of challenges to come. We just want to go into the next one, and then I will see."