Each journey has to start out someplace, even for stars like Primož Roglič. And in simply two phrases on the remaining end line of the Volta ao Algarve – “Sure, positively” – the ever-laconic Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe star confirmed he was racing on the degree he had anticipated for this level within the 12 months, and brushed away any sort of concern, on his half not less than, that his lowkey efficiency in his first race of the 2025 season had been wherever beneath his expectations.
It was true that Roglič had come into the Algarve aiming to do his greatest on GC: However because the Slovenian veteran had already warned final winter he wouldn’t be seeking to placed on an excellent efficiency.
So whereas it is also true that on many events Roglič has claimed to be in horrible kind pre-race, solely to promptly pulverize the opposition when he really began racing, on this event, he stored to his low season phrase, and ended up a good, however not significantly earthshattering, eighth total, 53 seconds down on former teammate Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Eleventh within the remaining time trial up the Malhao, Roglič informed reporters afterwards in a sometimes succinct interview that whereas he had made an excellent effort – “exhausting however good” was how he outlined his efficiency on Sunday – total he was joyful along with his first race of 2025. Or as he put it, “I loved it rather a lot and it was good.”
The essential level, although, was when requested if he was the place he wished to be for this time of 12 months, Roglič confirmed that by saying “Sure, positively.”
“Clearly, I did not actually peak or be at my greatest right here in Algarve,” he added. “I actually selected it, simply [to be] for the beginning of the season and there is nonetheless numerous work to do. However I am stepping into the suitable route.”
Roglič’s subsequent competitors would be the Volta a Catalunya, a race the Slovenian gained narrowly again in 2023 in a dramatic duel in opposition to Remco Evenepoel. And similar to in 2023, there are solely six weeks between the top of Catalunya and the beginning of the Giro d’Italia.
The seven-day race by way of the Pyrenees will likely be a way more sensible check of Roglič’s probabilities of a repeat success within the Italian Grand Tour, too. Solely this time, reasonably than Evenepoel, it is Vingegaard who will probably be Roglič’s foremost challenger in Catalunya.
