"Tadej Pogacar proved the Giro and the Tour is possible” - Primoz Roglic can take inspiration from all-conquering compatriot say Red Bull - BORA

Primoz Roglic is looking to take on the ominous task of a Giro d'Italia - Tour de France double for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. It's perhaps not quite as ominous as it once was though, given that just last year, Roglic's compatriot Tadej Pogacar ended a 26 year wait for a rider to complete the double successfully.

With that in mind, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe Head of Performance Dan Lorang believes his team leader can actually take inspiration from Pogacar's success in 2024, as he attempts something similar this year. “You can get some inspiration by looking at how UAE approached it, and seeing the ideas,” Lorang explains in conversation with Velo. “You have to focus on yourself, but it would be stupid to close the eyes and not look left and right. You get inspiration when you see what’s possible, and that’s motivating. Pogacar proved the Giro and the Tour is possible.”

First up is of course the Giro, starting later this week, and there is more pressure than hoped for on the shoulders of Roglic after a very disappointing and quiet Spring for the team. “Primoz can totally turn around our season at the Giro. Because so far it’s not really worked out for us this year,” Lorang admits honestly. “We planned big for 2025, starting with the classics. It would have been nice before the Giro to have more victories on the counter and a nice classic in the books. It would help people carry success to success. Sadly, this is not the case.”

That hasn't changed Roglic's goals though. As is the case whenever the five-time Grand Tour winner takes to the start of one of the sport's three-week races, Roglic is there with only the win in mind. “The goal is to win, of course. The podium is something, but that top step is what we really want,” Lorang explains. “Having Primoz on board now changes things for us. He knows how to win three-week stage races and the Giro. We planned for a victory at the Giro from winter until now.”

And despite that fact that Roglic is 35 now, Lorang believes the Slovenian is still improving. “Marc Lamberts (Roglic's coach ed.) and Primoz have worked together for a long time, but they are always finding new ways to improve, new stimulus,” he says. “Primoz is still improving year by year, and we’ve seen that again this year.”

“It was clear we couldn’t race as much as before if we’re going to do the Giro and Tour. So he’s really focusing on the training and managing his mental energy," Lorang concludes. “The mental side is a really important part alongside the physiology. It’s something that can get overlooked, but we think it will count for a lot this year.”