'It's beautiful, I'm enjoying it': Roglic gains fresh perspective after Worlds ahead of home Euros

Primož Roglič (Slovenia) admitted that he surprised himself with his performance at the World Championships in Montréal, where he played a prominent role after following a key move ignited by Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands).  

Roglič, who was leading the Slovenian team in the absence of defending champion Tadej Pogačar, was part of the six-rider move that formed with more than 80km remaining alongside Van der Poel, Anthon Charmig (Denmark), Oscar Onley (Great Britain), Quinn Simmons (United States) and Wout van Aert (Belgium).

The Slovenian would outlast Van Aert, Onley and Charmig in the move by responding to Van der Poel’s devastating accelerations, before he, the Dutchman, Simmons and Ben Healy (Ireland), who had bridged across, were caught by the chasers with 35km remaining. 

Just 2.5km later, Brandon McNulty (United States) would make his race-winning move, while Roglič continued to fight to the finish, taking 21st place in the end. 

“Yeah, including myself a bit [surprised]. I mean, it was a bit of a new group for me to ride with them, but obviously I still had the legs at that moment, so there was nothing to hide,” Roglič told CyclingProNet of his performance. 

“I mean, it was all-in racing, but yeah, at the end, I just ran out of energy, empty. So it was a fight to finish it, so I’m happy to finish this race.”

Roglič arrived in Montréal off the back of finishing second at the Vuelta a España behind Enric Mas (Spain), marking his sixth podium at the Spanish Grand Tour, having won the race a record-equalling four times previously. 

On his performance in Spain, Roglič had described the Vuelta as a ‘beautiful ride’ and he was asked if his exploits in Montréal had earned a similar tag. 

“You know, it’s always even more beautiful when you finish it, huh? I mean, especially this kind of race is really hard,” Roglic said. “But definitely you feel good and nice when you finish it.”

The 36-year-old was also asked about his current mindset, as it was put to him the idea that he had rekindled his love for the sport, after a difficult few months following a training crash pre-Vuelta.

“Yeah, maybe I just found different views, you know? Different views looking at my career, at cycling, and all around,” he said. “So yeah, it’s more relaxed, it’s beautiful, and definitely you know, I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying it today and I put really everything on the road.”

“I always say you want to win the races, or at least get a medal. They count here. But yeah, you put everything you have there and then the result says which place it belongs.”

After putting on a show in Montréal, Roglič will not have to wait long for his next opportunity to shine, with a major occasion on the horizon. 

Next week, he will once more pull on the Slovenian jersey, representing his nation at a home edition of the European Championships, where he will have the opportunity to try and succeed compatriot and defending champion Pogačar.

“I hope so. First I just want to relax a bit after this one, and yeah, then I think it will be pretty fast being on the home roads, and it will also be a pleasure to race there.”