Pogacar, Roglic, and five WorldTour stars: Slovenia brings a powerful team to Cycling World Championships
CyclingSaturday, 14 September 2024 at 10:48
Slovenia is heading to the World Cycling Championships in Zurich, Switzerland, with a stacked lineup. As expected, superstar Tadej Pogacar will lead the team, but he's not the only big name representing the country.
Joining Pogacar is Vuelta a España winner Primoz Roglic, who will also compete in the time trial. Alongside these two heavyweights, five more top riders from Slovenia will take part: Matej Mohorič, Jan Tratnik, Domen Novak, Luka Mezgec, and Matevz Govekar.
National coach Uros Murn has high hopes for this talented group. "Our goal is to win medals in both the time trial and the road race," Murn told MMC RTV Slovenija, leaving no doubt about his ambitions. "With Primoz, we have a strong contender for the time trial. We’re aiming for one medal in the road race, but we could win two if luck is on our side."
Read more below the photo.
Pogacar and Roglic know each other through and through
"This is unheard of for most countries"
The challenging course in Switzerland will give Pogacar and the team plenty of chances to shine. “It’s amazing that we have two riders capable of winning grand tours in the same year. This is something most countries could only dream of, but for our small Slovenia, it’s a reality,” Murn said proudly. “We know both riders have busy schedules with their teams, but it’s an honor that they’re willing to represent Slovenia at the World Championships.”
The defending champions from the Netherlands will have their work cut out against this Slovenian squad. Belgium, led by Remco Evenepoel, will also be a serious threat, with Evenepoel expected to lead the charge and Maxim Van Gils as a strong backup.
Selection Slovenia - World Cycling Championships 2024 - men elite
Tadej Pogacar
Primoz Roglic
Matej Mohorič
Jan Tratnik
Domen Novak
Luka Mezgec
Matevz Govekar
Primoz Roglic
Matej Mohorič
Jan Tratnik
Domen Novak
Luka Mezgec
Matevz Govekar
Time trial
Primoz Roglic
Primoz Roglic
Il Lombardia 2024
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Not crying in fetal position, but mashing the pedals during disliked European Championship, Pim Ronhaar deals with terrible summer
Zoe Bäckstedt dives into the field: "I just need to fine-tune a bit and then I'll be ready"
Mauro Schmid knows how to tackle next year: "I need to work on my positioning and energy distribution"
🎥 For those who still had doubts, Roglic and Girmay demonstrate tellingly that criterium is prearranged
Bilbao seems pretty much done with Pogacar despite the arrival of Martinez: "With Evenepoel you can still try something"
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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