Are words of Red Bull coach taken out of context, or was Roglic's Giro decision not so voluntary at all?
Cycling
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and Primoz Roglic brought it up in mid-December as a joint decision: in 2025, the Slovenian is focusing entirely on the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double, so this means a change in the calendar. After four overall victories in six consecutive editions of the Vuelta a España, Roglic will skip the Tour of Spain in 2025 for the first time since 2018. And, according to Patxi Vila, it is not quite how Roglic would have liked it to be,
"As a team, we develop the ideas with our performance staff, looking at what is possible. We include the rider's opinion. There was immediately a constructive dialogue about the reasons behind the Giro-Tour double," performance manager Rolf Aldag explained on December 14 at the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe media day.
Roglic himself then also stressed that he supported the choice of the Giro. "I have heard that we are going through Slovenia, so I am looking forward to that," he said, among other things. And: "The choice for the Giro was made together, which went very smoothly. If it turns out to be the wrong choice, so be it. I wanted something different. We are looking for the best opportunities, and if you look with those eyes and the preparation needed for that, the choice for the Giro was made on those grounds," that is what IDLPRoCycling.com noted.
Read more below the photo.
How voluntary was Roglic's choice to participate in the Giro?
In an interview with Marca Patxi Vila presents a somewhat different picture of the creation of Roglic's calendar. The 49-year-old Spaniard is quoted when asked why Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe did not choose the Vuelta, where Roglic could book a fifth, record-making overall victory. "It's the sponsors' and the team's priorities, so that's how it evolved," he said. On Primoz's wish list is the record for most of Vuelta's final victories, but the team has decided to have him ride the Giro and Tour in 2025.'
Are those the facts, or is it taken out of context in Spain? Vila also stresses that the likely presence of Tadej Pogacar in the 2025 Vuelta played no role in Roglic's choices. Of course, with Pogacar there, a fifth overall victory will be harder. "No, that didn't play a part. We chose what is best for us and made that choice before Tadej considered the Tour-Vuelta double."
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Latest Comments
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024