"Primoz's dream is to win the Tour" - DS Grischa Niermann laments Primoz Roglic's departure from Jumbo-Visma

Primoz Roglic is ending his stint with Jumbo-Visma this weekend and is soon expected to have his transfer to BORA - hansgrohe announced. He hopes to win the Tour de France, and team DS Grischa Niermann - who has led much of the team's success - understands his decision to leave the Dutch team.

"We owe a lot to Primoz, he has achieved a huge number of victories for us. It's a shame he's leaving, but for him this is a good decision," Grischa Niermann told In de Leiderstrui. "Primoz's dream is to win the Tour and we wish him the best of luck. He leaves on good terms and the team has accepted that." It was a transfer that was not too much of a surprise following the Vuelta a Espana, where he had the ambition to win, but was simultaneously beaten by Jonas Vingegaard, and had to race conservatively towards the end as the team worked towards the win of Sepp Kuss.

With the Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia in his palmarès, only the Tour de France remains. 2020 was his year, but he was then beaten by Tadej Pogacar in the final time-trial. However if 2023 showed anything, it's that the Slovenian remains strong enough to win the Tour. However with Jonas Vingegaard likely to target it once again, Roglic would not have the sole leadership he wants. He will likely move over to BORA - hansgrohe, a team that does have the chance to provide meaningful support towards the mountains.

"Primoz's departure is certainly a shame, but we have a lot of strong riders and young rider, so we will also fill that gap," Niermann continues. The possible merger with Soudal - Quick-Step further extends the chances of Jumbo-Visma finding quality substitutes. "There are a lot of things going on at the moment and it is great for everyone if there is clarity, but I am confident that next year we will have a very nice team with great sponsors."