"Remco’s a special guy — we can achieve great things together" - Primoz Roglic gives first public address on Evenepoel's blockbuster Red Bull transfer

The cycling world has been abuzz since Remco Evenepoel’s high-profile move to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe was first announced, and Primoz Roglic, one of the team’s marquee Grand Tour stars, has now broken his silence on what this means for the team’s ambitions.

Speaking from the Dutch criterium in Etten-Leur, Roglic shared publicly his thoughts on riding alongside the Belgian Olympic champion for the first time, offering a candid glimpse into the dynamic that could redefine Red Bull’s strategy in the coming seasons.

“Remco is a special guy — he’s already won some big races,” Roglic acknowledged in conversation with In de Leiderstrui, underlining the immense respect he holds for Evenepoel’s already impressive palmarès despite his young age. The Slovenian, who finished eighth in this year’s Tour de France, knows firsthand the calibre of rider Evenepoel represents. “Hopefully, we can achieve great things together.”

Roglic’s comments come at a time when Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe appears intent on evolving from a strong support team for its established leaders into a squad capable of genuinely challenging the likes of Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar across a three-week Grand Tour like the Tour de France.

While Roglic remains pragmatic about the future, noting that “we’ve only just finished this year’s Tour… it’s far too early to be making decisions about next season,” the potential synergy between the two riders is palpable. Evenepoel’s explosive power and time-trialling prowess combine well with Roglic’s proven consistency and tactical nous, suggesting that the team could soon field a formidable one-two punch capable of flexing their muscles on multiple fronts.

“We need to look at how we can compete with those guys,” Roglic said in reference to the current Grand Tour heavyweights. “But it’s clear we’ve still got some work to do to close that gap.”

This candid admission reflects the hard reality facing Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe: to transition from contenders to genuine favourites, the squad must not only harness the talent of its star riders but also develop a cohesive team capable of supporting two potential leaders.

For Roglic, Evenepoel’s arrival is not just a new chapter for the team but also for his own career trajectory. Asked if he expects to share leadership duties with Evenepoel in next year’s Tour de France, Roglic remained measured: “Whether I’ll ride the Tour again — I don’t know yet. First things first.”

The Slovenian is taking a deliberate approach, focusing on finishing this season strongly before looking ahead. Yet the implicit message is clear: the emergence of Evenepoel as a teammate will undoubtedly impact team tactics, race schedules, and leadership hierarchies in the near future.

But Roglic’s warm reception of Evenepoel hints at a partnership built on mutual respect and shared ambition. Both riders have the talent and hunger to push each other — and their team — to new heights. As Roglic put it, “Remco’s a special guy… Hopefully, we can achieve great things together.”