Are words of Red Bull coach taken out of context, or was Roglic's Giro decision not so voluntary at all?

"As a team, we develop the ideas with our performance staff, looking at what is possible. We include the rider's opinion. There was immediately a constructive dialogue about the reasons behind the Giro-Tour double," performance manager Rolf Aldag explained on December 14 at the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe media day.

Roglic himself then also stressed that he supported the choice of the Giro. "I have heard that we are going through Slovenia, so I am looking forward to that," he said, among other things. And: "The choice for the Giro was made together, which went very smoothly. If it turns out to be the wrong choice, so be it. I wanted something different. We are looking for the best opportunities, and if you look with those eyes and the preparation needed for that, the choice for the Giro was made on those grounds," that is what IDLPRoCycling.com noted.

Read more below the photo.

In an interview with Marca Patxi Vila presents a somewhat different picture of the creation of Roglic's calendar. The 49-year-old Spaniard is quoted when asked why Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe did not choose the Vuelta, where Roglic could book a fifth, record-making overall victory. "It's the sponsors' and the team's priorities, so that's how it evolved," he said. On Primoz's wish list is the record for most of Vuelta's final victories, but the team has decided to have him ride the Giro and Tour in 2025.'

Are those the facts, or is it taken out of context in Spain? Vila also stresses that the likely presence of Tadej Pogacar in the 2025 Vuelta played no role in Roglic's choices. Of course, with Pogacar there, a fifth overall victory will be harder. "No, that didn't play a part. We chose what is best for us and made that choice before Tadej considered the Tour-Vuelta double."