Roglic isn’t quite sure himself: Has he (with a wink) figured out how to hold off Pogacar?
CyclingSaturday, 02 November 2024 at 10:59
Although the 2024 cycling season is officially over for Primoz Roglic (and everyone else), he hasn’t exactly been idle. The Slovenian skipped the Tour of Lombardy a few weeks ago after a mentally exhausting season but is currently recharging at the ASO criterium in Saitama. He was invited by the Tour organization as one of the event’s star attractions.
In Japan, where Roglic became the Olympic time-trial champion three years ago, he also looked ahead to 2025 for the first time. Of course, the big question (can he still win the Tour?) came up as well. "I always, obviously like to win. But on the other hand, looking to the next season, trying to improve myself still here and there, on a couple of aspects and try to grow as a team," Cyclingnews quotes him.
The Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe leader knows all too well that there is only one true top favorite for next year’s Tour: his compatriot Tadej Pogacar. "I mean, Tadej, where he is at the moment, he's really unbeatable, or hard to compete against. But you never know what next year brings. Maybe he's even... better," says Roglic.
Read more below the photo.
Roglic doesn’t want to think about the 2025 program yet
So, how can Pogacar be beaten? "By checking his program and then doing the exact opposite," Roglic says with a wink, before seriously addressing the question.
"We have no influence on his form, but if I can be the best version of myself, I can always let it go," continues the winner of the most recent Vuelta a Espana. He has to admit, however, that he doesn’t know his schedule for the upcoming season yet. "No, no idea at all. Like I said, now still just fully in my off season, so I don't really actually want to think about it too much."
Il Lombardia 2024
Giving up isn’t in Froome's dictionary: "I can still play a role in the Tour de France"
📸 "Daddy cool": Mathieu and Adrie van der Poel are out and about together in Spain
Beloved, outspoken and twice controversially disqualified: This was the career of Luke Rowe
HRV values confirm it: Vollering truly needed a break after turbulent World Championship period
After seeing the "really bad" course, Ronhaar has lost interest in the European Championship... and so has the rest
Latest Cycling News
Giving up isn’t in Froome's dictionary: "I can still play a role in the Tour de France"
📸 "Daddy cool": Mathieu and Adrie van der Poel are out and about together in Spain
Beloved, outspoken and twice controversially disqualified: This was the career of Luke Rowe
HRV values confirm it: Vollering truly needed a break after turbulent World Championship period
After seeing the "really bad" course, Ronhaar has lost interest in the European Championship... and so has the rest
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers WorldTour 2025 | INEOS Grenadiers strengthens its ranks with experienced Australian
Meanwhile in the Peloton | Evenepoel (wearing a Morocco football shirt) shares vacation picture from the desert
Armstrong shakes his head after reading Anti-Pogacar comments on Tour de France route: "We were told that every year too"
Wurf had to sacrifice important Ironmans for INEOS: "I don't want to be one of those riders who..."
Do Van der Poel and Van Aert pale in comparison to Thibau Nys? "Thibau this year... 34!"
Latest Comments
- 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
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024