Roglic isn’t quite sure himself: Has he (with a wink) figured out how to hold off Pogacar?

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.

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."