After a tough year, Roglic turns philosophical: "Life's a daily struggle and cycling helps me with that"

The criterium in Andorra provided an unprecedented spectacle. Roglic, Tadej Pogacar, Isaac Del Toro, and Jonas Vingegaard were facing each other head-on. They would compete against each other in criterium style in the capital of the tiny country, but first they had to complete a climbing time trial on the Coll de Gallina: two races in one day.

In that time trial, expectations were naturally high for Pogacar, who had made a huge impression with victories at the World Championships, European Championships, and in the Tour of Lombardy. But this time he was beaten by his compatriot, who covered the 8.2 kilometers in 25.39 minutes. Cycling statistician ammattipyöräily shared the statistics, and they were impressive: he estimated his performance at 6 watts per kilo and a VAM value of 1752 meters per hour.

That is very impressive: for example, during his record ride on the Plateau de Beille in last year's Tour de France, Pogacar rode at a VAM value of 1850 meters per hour. Roglic is below that, but it is the end of the season, and it is not an official race. So Roglic is not worn out yet. “I'm still here, you know, I'm still riding the bike,” he winked.

At Cyclingnews, the four-time winner of the Vuelta a España talked about his difficult later years. Many fans speculate about the end of his career, but Roglic still loves the sport. “My whole career has had its ups and downs, but I wouldn't change anything, even the crashes and disappointments. Cycling is a challenge but teaches you about yourself and life.”

The always down-to-earth Slovenian turned into a philosopher, with truths that could have come from the mouths of the best Greek scholars. “Cycling has given me so much and taught me how to be happy. You feel alive, you suffer a lot, especially when you lose or crash, but it's incredible, it's beautiful. Life's a daily struggle and cycling helps me with that.”

Roglic joined Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe to eliminate the dual leadership at Visma | Lease a Bike. But with the arrival of Remco Evenepoel to the team, the question arose: Will Roglic be able to line up alongside another rider again? Sven Vanthourenhout told Sporza that the Belgian has, in any case, already reported to the team.

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe used the team days as an opportunity for the new riders to get to know each other. “He is very enthusiastic,” said the new sports director of the German team before the Ruddervoorde cyclo-cross. “He is really looking forward to this week, during which we will get to know each other better in a different way.”

“Remco never lacks ambition and motivation, but this is something new at the right moment in his career. He is looking forward to it.” And Vanthourenhout himself? “I had a very nice introduction to the team. Now we are looking forward to 2026, and at the team camp, we will meet the new faces, make evaluations, and draw up the schedule.”