Romandie organiser pins hopes on Pogacar - 'If he wins, maybe our phone rings faster for sponsors'

Race director Richard Chassot was clear to HLNabout the future of the race, after the withdrawal of key backers left a significant gap.

“There is still budget for one sponsorless edition, but no more,” he said about the race, which has been held since 1947 and is widely regarded as one of the seven big one-week WorldTour stage races.

According to HLN, the departure of the main sponsors has created a shortfall of around ten percent in a budget of €4.9 million. There are no reserves left, having already been used up in recent years following the COVID-19 crisis.

In that context, the presence of Tadej Pogačar this week stands out even more. Chassot, speaking to WielerFlits, was quick to dismiss any suggestion of financial incentives behind the Slovenian’s participation. “Absolutely not. They never asked me for that, and we do not have the capacity anyway.”

Instead, the connection is rooted in long-standing relationships. “You have to know that I was also a rider. From that time I know Mauro Gianetti very well. Mauro appreciates the Tour de Romandie enormously.”

The idea of Pogačar racing in Romandie had been on the table for years he explains. “Two or three years ago he already told me: ‘You know Richard, one day Pogi will definitely come to the Tour de Romandie.’ I did not know when, but he would certainly come one day.”

That plan came together last year. “Last year in June he told me: ‘I think there is a possibility for next year, he might change his programme a bit.’ And in December, a week before the announcement, Mauro called me. He said: ‘Listen, we are at a training camp, we are making the programme and we will definitely come to your Tour de Romandie. You can announce it quickly from mid December, so you can also work on your communication.’”

Even then, Chassot did not see it as a certainty. “You know how cycling works. Because of crashes and illnesses you always have to wait until the last moment to be sure that everyone comes.”

The 27-year-old Slovenian has come through the spring in strong form, with five race days and four wins at Strade Bianche, Milan–San Remo, Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and is set to line up on Tuesday in Villars-sur-Glâne.

For an organiser fighting for survival, the presence of Pogačar carries weight well beyond the sporting dimension, bringing global attention to the Tour de Romandie at a critical moment.

Chassot hopes the presence of the Slovenian superstar will have a tangible impact on the future of his event. “If he wins, it will in any case provide extra visibility and maybe also that our phone rings faster for sponsors. Such riders generate broad interest. They are even more special than previous generations of stars, also on social media and in the press.”

On the road, Pogačar is expected to face his toughest challenge from compatriot Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), alongside his own teammate Florian Lipowitz, in the battle for the overall victory. 

Whether his presence can help secure the race’s future, or if he could end up as its final winner, remains to be seen.