“To be a person that people come to support is special" - Primoz Roglic pays tribute to army of Slovenian fans atop Monte Lussari at the Giro d'Italia

Roared on by an army of Slovenian supporters that had flocked to Monte Lussari in support, Primoz Roglic overturned his deficit to Geraint Thomas and claimed the Maglia Rosa. Now, Roglic has paid a glowing tribute to those that made the trip to cheer him on.

The absolutely brutal ascent of the Monte Lussari is positioned right on the Italy/Slovenia border, so for Roglic and his supporters, this was almost like a home race. "I spent my whole life just a few kilometres away from here, also when doing ski jumping. You can see the crowd and how much energy they give,” said an emotional Jumbo-Visma leader. “I didn’t really care about the final result, when I knew the crowds that would be up here, on my turf, I had goosebumps."

In recent years, Slovenia has become something of a hotbed for cycling talent. In fact, between Roglic and his compatriot, Tadej Pogacar, 6 of the last 11 Grand Tours have been won by Slovenian riders. Naturally, this has led to the pair becoming much-loved icons back in their homeland and for Roglic, that feeling is something incredibly special.

“To be a person that people come to support is special. I’m extremely proud to be that person. I’ll definitely remember this day for the rest of my life," he explains. “It’s unfair to compare victories, say which is more or less. But this says who I am, I always have hope and fight on. That’s the story of my Giro.”

“The young generation is pushing us, but the old guys are still around,” he continues, referencing the fact that he is now 33 years old, whilst the man he defeated for the Maglia Rosa by 14 seconds, Geraint Thomas recently turned 37. “I’m getting older and living different experiences, I'm still learning and will keep learning, so I’ll keep challenging myself.”