"When I started cycling, drivers would give me the middle finger, but now they give me the thumbs up" - Luka Mezgec on Pogacar and Roglic's cultural impact in Slovenia

This upcoming Sunday, Slovenia will start the men's elite road race at the 2024 World Championships in Switzerland with two of the big favourites to take the Rainbow Jersey - Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic. Offering his loyal service to the superstar, despite a recent training crash, will be the vastly experienced Luka Mezgec.

"The ideal showcase for Slovenian cycling," the 38-year-old of Team Jayco AlUla says in conversation with Wieler Revue. "I believe that we can remain a great cycling country in the future. I think Slovenia is generally a healthy country. Exercise is already pushed in primary school. Everyone in my primary school did at least one sport. It is our way of life. With Pogacar and Roglic as two of our greatest examples."

Although Mezgec may have been in and around the professional cycling peloton before both Pogacar and Roglic, he has seen a noted change in the culture of his homeland since the latter duo's emergence on the scene. "I always say, 'When I started cycling, drivers would give me the middle finger, but now they give me the thumbs up.' That's the biggest difference between ten years ago, haha," Mezgec laughs. "I'm very grateful that I was able to experience that development."

Mezgec has also gotten to know both riders well off the bike. "Primož and he (Pogacar ed.) are both relaxed, but Tadej is more of a playboy," the experienced Slovenian compares his younger compatriots. "He (Pogacar ed.) is the only person in cycling who doesn't do the sport, but he plays it. It's a game for him. Another difference is that Primož shows his private life less, while Tadej is exactly the same in the race as he is outside of it."

Despite Roglic's immense success, it seems as if the all-conquering Pogacar takes team leadership in Zürich. "After the first successes Pogacar achieved as a neo-pro, I told him to enjoy it because it wouldn't always be like that," Mezgec adds in conclusion. "But Tadej hasn't stopped winning and enjoying himself, haha."