Primoz Roglic on crazy changes to racing during his time in the peloton: "It's quite a challenge for all of us older guys"
CyclingTuesday, 26 November 2024 at 10:20
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."
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- "The Giro d'Italia 2024 saw a strong increase in audience figures across RAI networks, especially on Rai2 and RaiSport HD. The race also experienced a significant boost in online engagement, with record numbers of website visitors, video views, and media articles. The event reached over 700 million viewers worldwide...." Sorry, but Pogacar is boring only for ... envious? ex-riders.
maria2024202406-05-2025 - It's always the way in pro cycling - 1 rider wins and the rest,instead of working with each other to topple the better rider, they ride behind said rider collecting scraps that're left...
leedorney06-05-2025 - Better for the Giro? I'm sure viewers would rather see Tadej dominate the Giro from day 1, than see Van Hooydonck (if he were still racing for Visma) battle it out with whoever, maybe Uidtjebroeks (if he was in the Visma lineup).. pun not intended ,for the maglia rosa in the 21-day race.. A grand tour is not like a horse race. People want to see Tadej, Jonas, Remco, Primoz, MVDP, Van Aert etc... If not, I'll just watch the Tour of California.FredMan06-05-2025
- Respect to Caleb Ewan for making the decision to bow out of professional cycling. He's the only one that's knows what's best for him at this point in his life, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
santiagobenites06-05-2025 - Yeah, a big one 😁
DareDevil06-05-2025 - That's a surpriseleedorney06-05-2025
- You were doing so well up until the last paragraph :-). So Almeida did not win a single stage race with UAE and now because of contract uplift he can win prestigious races? Come on. The man was being shaped to get to this level and took 2 years. After leaving QS he had lost his punch, he is not a sprinter of course but he had a good kick, he also lost a bit his TT performance, was a disaster going downhill. All this time he was improving his climbing and now he is recovering all the aforementioned qualities he had before. He is not putting on a show because of contract negotiations, he simply evolved also due to changing trainer. I think he will do a hat-trick in Tour de Suisse and then go with no pressure to the Tour. Depending on how well Jonas or Remco recover and how tired Roglic is from the Giro, a podium might fall on his lap. Then Vuelta maybe UAE can compensate his performance by making him the solo leader if Pogacar is doubting. However, where I am really interested to see Almeida is the World Championships. I am hoping the race is split early and then we see Almeida picking up corpses along the Rwanda streets up until he reaches an empty Pogacar and then tips him over the line. Then I wake up and life continues.Indioshak06-05-2025
- Jonas had also had a speed wobble on that same descent. They have both improved their descending skills since then, and in 2024 took scary risks on downhills.Hill3306-05-2025
- Should be a good one! It's been since 2022 since we have seen peak Pogi vs peak Vingo. 2023 Pogi had injuries and a suboptimal preparation. 2024 Vingo had even worse injuries and a poor runup to the Tour. UAE team has gotten stronger since 2022, while Visma maybe less strong.mobk06-05-2025
- You'd have to be an amoral prick to work for this team.Matt06-05-2025
Here he is again, giving real answers! Love it. As a fan, I had not really paid attention but agree with what he says. Between Pogacar and van der Poel, with their attacks from 50k and more, the racing is simply different. At the grand tours, it's that kind of attacking every day, as well (e.g., even when he didn't want to, other teams goaded Pogacar into racing for the win at the Tour). I can imagine how hard that is for a rider, but for me as a fan it's certainly a lot of fun to watch.
And now Remco is at that too