2024-10-31 00:02:00
A few days ago Primoz Roglic had joked that his calendar included racing where Pogacar wasn’t there. But we know that behind every joke there is a grain of truth and, according to the latest information, BORA’s jokes are aimed at this. Or at least partially.
Primoz Roglic, Red Bull BORA 2024
Primoz’s other big problem is his love-hate relationship with the Tour, so if he goes it could mean letting go, already with the Giro on his feet and – possibly – the season saved.
Yes, after the presentation of the Tour, the majority took care of analyzing the route and confirmed their presence. But not the former skier and his superiors, far from it. Sports director Rolf Aldag has in fact analyzed the situation for Cyclism’Actu, suggesting their opinion
“In the Tour you have to distinguish between what is difficult and what is hard. The first part of the Tour is difficult because it can be very windy in northern France and this can make the race very technical,” he said. Coincidentally, his manager is the vole freak who falls the most and usually has trouble with these issues.
“Before the first day of rest we went from difficult to difficult. The mountain will arrive late, but it will be complicated. After the time trial there is a stage with 5,000 meters of altitude gain, one of the most challenging of the Tour,” he continued.
“In the Alps we talk about the same thing, with days for the strongest in the race, with the exception of stage 20, which was softened compared to other years,” said the German. “It’s not the hardest Tour we’ve seen, but it has very tough days and the start is very technical. So we will wait for the route of the Giro and then we will decide,” he said. What he didn’t say is that the Corsa Rosa will have an arrival in Slovenia, with a nod to Rogla and Pogi.
Having said this, and although something has been exposed in the director’s words, Roglic believes not to make the Grande Boucle his seasonal objective for three very obvious reasons:
- He falls a lot and the start is super technical
- the presence of superior rivals
- the possible absence of important opponents in the Giro
The first point is more than evident and is also documented by the record achieved last July. In just a few years he fell almost twenty times and lost several races like this, especially the Tour, from which he left the last three editions in an ambulance.
If Aldag mentioned the technical aspects of the first week, a certain former Slovenian skier remains to be added to the equation for the result to be a potential catastrophe. All this with whoever is the flagship of the rose, at least for now. How to solve the problem?
The solution is linked to the other two points: Primoz and BORA know that they are inferior to Pogacar and Vingegaard, and also that in July Remco was stronger. So it’s better to go to the Giro, where without the three mentioned above I would have many options.
Roglic is the king of cycling’s second world ranking, and fighting aliens is not the same as – with all due respect – doing it with Richard Carapaz, Ben O’Connor or whoever you want to question.
According to the sources that this editorial was able to consult, plus some indiscretions, Pogacar and Vingegaard are unlikely to go to the Giro. The first because he wants new challenges and is obliged to go to the Tour, so the quota of the grand tours would be completed with the Spanish stage, which he doesn’t have yet.
And the Dane still has to be, he has to confirm that in perfect health he is the only one capable of defeating the United Arab Emirates. Then he will not launch into experiments such as going to Italy but will stick to a comfortable and familiar program. Remco will put all his effort into the French stage, but if he goes to the Giro he won’t be untouchable like the other two.
And that leaves us with the third reason why Primoz would go to the Giro and perhaps skip the Tour. First, he hinted that perhaps the time has come to take the pressure off and go to France to realize what needs to happen and with another previously achieved goal.
But there is also the possibility that Tadej does the Vuelta, the big one that he is missing, which would be a risk similar to that of putting all the chips in the Tour. On the other hand, in May he will most likely be the protagonist and win.
This would leave him with the year he won, and he will be able to participate in the Tour or do an excellent Vuelta doing the program that best suits him, that of doubling the first with the third three-week tour.
Roglic is extremely intelligent and also remembers Vincenzo Nibali, who was not the best at anything but was good at everything, chose his calendar perfectly and rarely crossed the cuckoos of the time.
Of course, it would be paradoxical if he ended up giving up on the Tour when they signed him to win the Tour, paid him (a lot) and now they’re afraid to send him there.
Pablo Palermo
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#reasons #Roglic #hesitates #Tour
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news. Today, I’m thrilled to have cycling expert, Dr. Maria Torres, with us to discuss some fascinating developments in the cycling world, particularly around Primoz Roglic and the upcoming grand tours. Dr. Torres, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Maria Torres: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in cycling, and there’s plenty to discuss.
Interviewer: Let’s start with Primoz Roglic. Recently, he joked about wanting to race where Tadej Pogacar isn’t. His humor often masks deeper truths. What do you think is behind that statement?
Dr. Torres: That joke is quite telling, indeed! It reflects Roglic’s frustration with the overwhelming presence of Pogacar and Vingegaard. Both are phenomenal riders who have made racing a tough battle for anyone else. Roglic’s humorous take likely underscores a desire to find races where he feels he has a better chance at victory, which could help alleviate some pressure.
Interviewer: Absolutely. Now, it seems Roglic is reconsidering his participation in the Tour, pulling back due to a potentially tough course and the presence of stronger rivals. Do you think this decision is wise?
Dr. Torres: Yes, it’s indeed a pragmatic decision. The first week of the Tour is notoriously technical, and with Roglic’s history of falls—which he himself acknowledges—it’s risky. Additionally, the dominance of Pogacar, Vingegaard, and even Remco Evenepoel makes the Tour a daunting challenge. Focusing on the Giro, where he may face a less intimidating field, seems like a strategic move.
Interviewer: Speaking of strategy, we heard from BORA’s Sports Director, Rolf Aldag, discussing the technical challenges in the Tour. He mentioned that the first days are meant to be difficult due to winds and other factors. How do you think this will impact the riders?
Dr. Torres: Aldag’s insights are crucial. A technical start to the Tour can lead to increased chances of crashes and errors. For riders like Roglic, who’ve had their share of mishaps in past editions, navigating that without incident is key. It could potentially derail their overall goals. Preparing for unpredictable conditions can also affect mental focus significantly.
Interviewer: Speaking of mental focus, you mentioned that Roglic would rather compete against riders like Richard Carapaz and Ben O’Connor than face the likes of Pogacar and Vingegaard. Does this reflect a larger trend in cycling where riders are selectively choosing where to compete?
Dr. Torres: Absolutely. It’s become evident that top riders are starting to tailor their schedules to maximize their chances of winning. There’s a fine balance between ambition and knowing when to conserve energy for more favorable contests. Roglic’s potential choice to skip the Tour could be seen as a strategic retreat, embracing the notion that racing is not just about participating, but about winning.
Interviewer: Intriguingly, there is speculation that Pogacar might take a different route and compete in the Vuelta instead. What could motivate him to divert from the traditional path of focusing on the Tour?
Dr. Torres: Pogacar is at a point in his career where exploring new challenges could keep him motivated. The Vuelta is a grueling race, and by focusing there, he can establish a different legacy while also navigating the competitive landscape of grand tours. It’s all about positioning oneself strategically within the cycling calendar.
Interviewer: If Roglic indeed opts for the Giro, what does that say about his long-term goals and his understanding of the sport?
Dr. Torres: It speaks volumes about his maturity as a rider. Roglic is very aware of his capabilities and limitations; recognizing that racing is evolving, he’s looking to optimize his strengths against a field where he feels competitive. This awareness mirrors tactics used by riders like Vincenzo Nibali, who were adept at maximizing their opportunities.
Interviewer: Fascinating insights, Dr. Torres. As we wrap up, what should fans keep an eye on as the grand tours approach?
Dr. Torres: Fans should pay close attention to the riders’ strategies leading up to these events. Watch for announcements; riders like Roglic will influence the dynamics of the races significantly. The shifting of elite competitors to different tours will create opportunities and alter expectations, keeping things unpredictable and thrilling.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your insights into the world of cycling! It’s clear that there are many intriguing strategies at play this season, and we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
Dr. Torres: My pleasure! It’s always exciting to discuss the intricacies of cycling, and I look forward to the races as well!