Roglic, exhibition and goodbye: "I will leave the Jumbo"

The data is overwhelming. Primoz Roglic has won all the races he has participated in in 2023. From March to September. From the Tirreno Adriatico to the Giro dell'Emilia conquered this Saturday before Tadej Pogacar himself. Everything (Volta a Catalunya, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a Burgos…) except the Vuelta a España in which he did not win but his team did: his teammate Sepp Kuss was first, Jonas Vingegaard second and he completed a historic podium adding also two stages, including Angliru.

A brutal year, another one, for the Slovenian, who hopes to round off in a few days in Lombardy. A year to remember, although what he may never forget is what happened in the Vuelta, which has made him definitively break his bond with Jumbo Visma after eight seasons in yellow and black. Because, a while before raising his arms in San Luca, Roglic confirmed what had seemed like a long time ago. Next year he will wear other colors.

“I don't want to say anything, I can simply confirm definitively that yes. I will leave the team, but we want to tell all the details after the race. I want to be focused and then we will see the next movements,” explained the Slovenian at the start of Carpi.. An announcement shortly ratified by the Dutch squad on social networks. “After a memorable journey together, the Jumbo-Visma team gives Primoz Roglic the opportunity to pursue his ambitions elsewhere in the future. First of all, all attention will be focused on the upcoming Italian races.”

Roglic's departure is a small earthquake in the cycling scene already convulsed by the rumors – which are already confirmed negotiations – of a merger between Jumbo and Soudal Quick-Step. About to turn 34, the Slovenian wants one last dance to try to finally win the Tour de France. And it seems that there are two structures well positioned to give him that opportunity, to crash the Vingegaard and Pogacar party. The best placed could be Ineos Grenadiers, who have a budget and lack of a clear leader, although Carlos Rodríguez is their man of the future. Lidl Trek also sounds strong. There was even some rumor that Movistar could position itself.

As if finally released, Primoz was exhibited at the centenary Giro dell'Emilia. In the prelude to Lombardy, with a line-up of first swords and a final group in the double climb to the Sanctuary of San Luca de carats (Caparaz, Vlasov, the Yates brothers, Michael Woods, Giulio Ciccone, as well as Pogacar, Mas and himself Roglic, again the punch of the triple winner of the Vuelta was deadly. First, he overcame the gap with more than a kilometer to go from Pogacar and then finished off the small group in the final sprint, succeeding Enric Mas in the list of winners and adding his third victory in the Italian event. The Spanish from Movistar was fourth.