Not just classics. Al Tour of Italy There are now less than three weeks to go and the desire for the Giro d'Italia is starting to make itself felt. One of the protagonists will be a rider who has been talked about very little in recent months, but who has already won the Giro: Primois Roglic.
The leader of Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe he conquered the Volta a Catalunya with a great action, beating what on paper should be his main rival at the Giro: Juan Ayuso. Of this, but also of the approach to the great departure from Durazzo, we talked with Enrico Gasparotto, sporting director of Roglic's team.
Enrico, let's start with Catalonia. A great Roglic, and we imagine some great responses for you...
I'd say these are beautiful signs, someone like Primoz doesn't need answers. I don't think anyone ever asked questions about him. I prefer to describe his performance that way. Primoz took the race lightheartedly. He's known for waiting and exploiting his fast pace in the final stages for short attacks, but in Barcelona, on the final stage, he gave us a great show.
Did you already expect it to be like this?
I repeat, it was a good sign. Believe me when I tell you, he races to win, never to finish second. In the Algarve, his first race of the season, he knew he wasn't at his best, so he started without pressure and with a certain awareness, and despite everything, he finished on a high note with a good time. At Catalunya, however, which is also more suited to his characteristics, I imagined he wanted to win.
The final stage with the Montjuic circuit was indeed spectacular. Can you tell us about your tactics?
That explosive stage was the result of the cancellation of the previous day's stage due to bad weather. If the stage had taken place as planned, which was tough and with an uphill finish, Catalunya would certainly have been decided there and not on Montjuïc. And the fact that Primoz took action personally and took the situation into his own hands is a great sign. It says a lot about his mental state as well.
Speaking of mental state, Enrico, let's move on to other aspects. This is your second year working on it. What's your experience with Roglic? Has anything changed?
Maybe we need to take a step back. Primoz and I had seen each other many times at Teide when I was still running. He might come there a few days before his team, and by being alone, we got to know each other well as people and athletes. There are differences. Last year he was in his first year and Primoz found a new environment, which was not easy or a given for him. Indeed, it must be considered that Roglic had always been in the same team, in the same group, up until then. Regardless of the name, he was always Visma. Therefore, here with us he found a different approach.
Clear…
But after 12 months, he's also settled into the mechanics, our mentality, and that of the staff. Now he knows everyone. Plus, we've added some new roles: a nutritionist, an aerodynamic engineer, and a mental performance coach. In short, it was as if Roglic had come out of his shell last year. We had to get to know each other. And this applied to both sides: him and us, the team. We didn't know how to approach it, and it wasn't easy. He was used to certain methods, and we were used to such a great rider. It wasn't easy at the beginning, but by the end of the season things were different, and now, in 2025, he's much more relaxed, more at ease. We all are. And it's easier to talk.
And that's no small feat. In his few appearances, we've seen him appear more relaxed, so do you agree with this feeling?
Primoz has always been calm. Except when he had to withdraw from the Tour, he was down there. Let's also consider that Roglic has an incredible track record and doesn't have to prove anything to anyone.The great thing is that he enjoys it, despite his experience. I told you earlier that he used to climb Teide: well, he loves going up there. It's a special place, he likes running, preparing for his goals. If you still find pleasure in all this, in your job, it's only natural that you're happy.
Let's move on to the Giro: Roglic beats Ayuso at Catalunya. Have you talked about this duel?
It's definitely being talked about. But be careful, Catalunya isn't the Giro. The Giro lasts three weeks and is historically a race with a thousand pitfalls, even more so than the Tour. It has many medium-to-hard stages where you can never give up... and that's the beauty of the Giro. We respect everyone, Ayuso and not only, but as a team and with a rider of Roglic's calibre we only think about doing our "homework" well To arrive at the event in the best possible condition. We're obviously studying the variables at the various stages, analyzing our opponents, the weather, and so on.
Enrico, in the end, Primoz arrives at the Giro with just two races: Algarve and Catalunya, for a total of ten days of racing. Have you ever considered including Liège?
No, this is what was decided at the beginning of the season and this is what is done. I remember that after the Giro Primoz has the Tour de FranceIt's not the first time he's done a double win. When we analyzed this double commitment over the three weeks, Roglic always won the second race, basically the ReturnExcept that in that case it was the end of the season, while after the Tour it's still a long way off. And at the end of the season there's a very tough World Championship, suitable for climbers.
In short, its season doesn't end in July...
No, and it's true that he likes training, being at altitude as I was saying, but let's consider that he also has a family and has to be away from home for tons of days a year... And then, thinking back to the question: Liège won it!
Last question, Enrico, you mentioned the Tour after the Giro. Are you coming to Italy for the pink jersey or to "train"?
I told you before, Roglic is here to win, not to finish second!
