"Remco chose to go for the bonus sprints, we didn't" - No worries for Primoz Roglic despite small time loss on opening stage of Paris-Nice 2024

The first day of racing in BORA - hansgrohe colours is in the bag for Primoz Roglic and despite losing out on a few seconds to the likes of Matteo Jorgenson, Remco Evenepoel and Egan Bernal courtesy of a bonus sprint, sports director, Rolf Aldag is pleased with what he saw.

"There wasn't much to do, apart from taking big risks. Not much happened for the general classification,” the German sports director reflects in a post-stage conversation with Cyclism'Actu. "It was not realistic to try to win, the riders all returned safely."

Post-stage, Evenepoel said "I don't know if Roglic didn't want to or couldn't follow," in relation to the bonus sprints. Aldag however, is keen to point out it was planned to not take part. "I think there are many more days to come. Remco chose to go for the bonus sprints, we didn't,” he explains. "The difference is that Remco is already in good shape, he has already won something, while Primoz is coming out of his winter break. the first race of the season. That's where I think there's a difference. To keep the body in good shape, it takes a little time, but I think the day went in the right direction which we wanted."

"Primoz was in the first group, it was super important for us. At the end of the last climb, there was a small gap, and he was with the best, therefore with Remco Evenepoel. That makes us optimistic for the next few days," he concludes.