After Primoz Roglic finished his debut season with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, there is more uncertainty than ever about whether he will be able to defeat his countryman and current cycling leader, Tadej Pogacar.
Roglic had an incredible 2024 season, winning the Critérium du Dauphiné before suffering yet another devastating crash during the Tour de France. However, he recovered brilliantly, winning the Vuelta a España for the fourth time in September, in classic Roglic form.
His triumph also represented a first for Slovenian cycling in 2024, as the country won all three Grand Tours, Roglic won the Vuelta, and Pogacar won the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia.
By winning the rare triple crown this year, Pogacar, who rides for UAE Team Emirates, solidified his position at the top of the world cycling rankings. Few can hope to reach the benchmark that Pogacar set as the number one rider with his Giro, Tour, and World Championship victories.
Roglic isn’t deterred, though. In an interview with Cyclingnews, he talked about his long-term goal of winning the Tour de France in 2025. He revealed, “I would always like to do that.” However, as I look ahead to the upcoming season, my main goals are to develop as a team and improve myself in a few areas.
Roglic’s resolve is evident even though he recognizes how difficult defeating Pogacar will be. He is truly unbeatable or difficult to equal where he is right now. He acknowledged that he was impressed by Pogacar’s amazing form, saying, “But you never know what next year will bring, Tadej might be even better.
Intriguingly straightforward yet audacious is Roglic’s plan for defeating Pogacar. By checking his program and then riding exactly the opposite, he joked when asked how he may approach the upcoming season. This smiling response demonstrates Roglic’s mindset, which is to concentrate on his own performance rather than stressing over Pogacar’s form. “We have no control over his form, but I can always allow myself to be the best version of myself.
This kind of thinking might be crucial for Roglic. Even though he hasn’t revealed his 2025 race itinerary, it’s obvious that his strategy will be influenced by his desire to improve his skills and racecraft, regardless of Pogacar’s eventual decision. With his new beginning at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and his expertise and tactical sense, Roglic might be just what he needs to mount a credible campaign for cycling’s top prize.
In 2025, will Roglic’s quest for the yellow jersey finally pay off? If this approach, which emphasizes adaptability and self-improvement, is the solution to the Pogacar conundrum, only time will tell. For now, Roglic is unfazed and focused on the future as he works to catch up to his strong compatriot.