'He's just incredible' - Roglic commends Pogacar's dominant Worlds defence

Primož Roglič has served as a trailblazer for a golden generation for Slovenian cycling, and though Tadej Pogačar’s imperious defence of his rainbow jersey in Kigali is another confirmation that he is the torch carrier in 2025, Roglič still firmly remains in the upper echelons of the sport. 

After finishing 11th in one of the most attritional road races of recent times, Roglič was in jovial mood as he praised his compatriot to the highest order despite the obvious exhaustion from a demanding day of racing.

"He's just incredible, so really chapeau to him and to the whole team, all the guys, they all did a great job," Roglič told Eurosport after the finish.

Pogačar's winning move came with 104km still to race, as he accelerated on the climb of Mont Kigali. Only Spain's Juan Ayuso and Mexico's Isaac del Toro could initially follow, but Pogačar soon found himself alone after dropping his companions. 

When Pogačar went clear, Roglič did a subtle but solid job of disrupting the pack behind, as the only Slovenian rider remaining in the chase group.

When asked if the race was as torturous as it looked, Roglic didn't mince words, stating: "Yeah, it was a bit like that, I mean, it just started full gas and didn't really stop all the way until the finish, so yeah, it was nice.”

Pogačar’s success marks yet another major achievement from a Slovenian rider in what is a truly golden generation, and Roglič, the other significant contributor alongside the current world champion, was short for words to explain the stunning results from a nation of just over two million people. “Yeah, I mean, what can I say, it’s incredible, I’m tired.”