Primoz Roglic on crazy changes to racing during his time in the peloton: "It's quite a challenge for all of us older guys"
Cycling
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."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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