Roglic says Worlds role is getting out of Pogacar's way

Primož Roglič will serve as a deluxe domestique for Tadej Pogačar in the elite men’s road race at the World Championships on Sunday, but he has downplayed the importance of the Slovenian team to the defending champion’s challenge.

“We would probably all immediately sign for last year’s result,” Roglič told Slovenian outlet 24ur.com. “The race will undoubtedly be very difficult. We can all see how Tadej Pogačar is doing lately. We just have to give him space so that we don’t get in his way too much. For the rest of us, it will be a big fight to get to the finish line.”

Twelve months ago, Roglič was part of the Slovenian guard that helped Pogačar to the rainbow jersey in Zurich. On that occasion, Roglič was coming off victory in the Vuelta a España, and he lined up as a second option for the Slovenian squad.

This time out, the Worlds marks Roglič’s first race in eight weeks. He hasn’t pinned on a number since the Clàsica San Sebastiàn in early August, though he has been training at altitude in Sierra Nevada in recent weeks. Despite that block of work, he opted against riding the Worlds time trial, and he will arrive in Rwanda solely for the road race. 

“Health was the deciding factor. I needed time for my body to rest,” said Roglič, who placed eighth overall at the Tour de France after being forced out of the Giro d’Italia by injury.

Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe last month confirmed the signing of Remco Evenepoel in 2026, and his arrival will surely change Roglič’s status within the team. The 35-year-old, winner of five Grand Tours across his career, was sanguine about the prospect.

“It’s great that Remco is coming. It won’t all be up to me when it comes to results,” Roglič said. “He’s young and driven, he’ll be able to take on a bigger role, and I’ll be able to peacefully look for my opportunities and challenges that I’ll still have.”

Roglič’s existing deal with Red Bull expires at the end of 2026, and he raised eyebrows ahead of the Tour when he admitted that winning the race wouldn’t change his life. He was hazy when asked how much he had left to give in the future.

“If we knew the answer to this question, it would be easier for all of us,” he said. “Time will tell, the surroundings will give us enough noticeable signs and then we will make our best move at that moment. I hope above all that there will be enough fuel this week, because we have a very tough race in Africa ahead of us.”