23/01/2024

"We have full confidence in Primoz, he is a rider who can win the Tour de France" - Aleksandr Vlasov keen to do anything he can to help Roglic in 2024

Following the addition of Primoz Roglic to the BORA - hansgrohe, Aleksandr Vlasov is excited to be riding alongside the Slovenian in 2024.

Next summer at the Tour de France, Vlasov will be one of the key lieutenants of Roglic as he attempts to finally claim the so-far, elusive Maillot Jaune. "I asked for it myself, but I think the team already thought the same," Vlasov tells In de Leiderstrui of his involvement in France. "It is the biggest race in the world and I see it as a special edition with the finish in Nice, because I live in Monaco myself."

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The 27-year-old has long been seen as someone who could potentially challenge for Grand Tours or at least podiums and although that won't be his goal at the 2024 Tour de France, Vlasov is hopeful that riding alongside Roglic and learning from his new teammate, will help him take that next step.

"We have full confidence in Primoz, he is a rider who can win the Tour de France. That is also the goal for the team and we are all fully committed to it, which I think is very nice," Vlasov explains. "Of course, we don't know yet what the end result will be, but it will be a wonderful experience anyway. For myself, I am sure that I will learn a lot from it, also for the future."

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"I thought it was great news, it was a nice surprise," Vlasov says of his initial thoughts when hearing of Roglic's signing for the team. "I like riding with stars, because you can learn a lot from them: how do they approach things, how do they race? He also lives in Monaco, so we sometimes speak to each other during training. Primoz is very relaxed, friendly and open, I think he is a really nice guy. That's also nice to see, because if a leader feels good, you also go into it in a good way."

With Vlasov's contract also ending at the year's end, he realises he needs a good year. "2023 was not my best year, but I have no stress or pressure. I know I can achieve good results, so everything will run smoothly," he insists. "I don't know yet where my future will lie, but that is something that will come naturally. I'm just doing my best, as always."