“Maybe there was a misunderstanding”: Roglič revisits race-calendar update in characteristically vague fashion

Roglič finished a strong fifth in Tirreno, aided by an excellent opening time trial; two places behind teammate Giulio Pellizzari. So the legs are clearly there. “I feel good, I’m happy and I’m looking forward to this race,” he said in conversation with Cycling Pro.

The Slovenian has ridden Milan-Turin only twice, but at his last appearance he was immediately the best rider: in 2021, he crossed the line first on the steep climb to Superga. He himself does not remember much of it anymore. “I’ve only won this race once, quite a few years ago, in 2021 I believe. I’ve forgotten the climb, but it was hard. It might be a bit tougher today.”

With Pellizzari alongside him, who was the stronger climber than his older teammate in Tirreno, the 36-year-old GC rider knows he may well have to throw himself into the role of super-domestique. “I feel fit. We’ll see, in the end Giulio showed a very high level in Tirreno. If there is an opportunity, we have to fully commit ourselves and do our best with the whole team.”

Last week, the news emerged that Roglič would take a break after the Tour de Romandie, which starts on 28 April, until the Vuelta a España. But that no longer seems entirely certain. “Maybe there was a misunderstanding there. I’m racing today, three days after Tirreno. Normally, I will be everywhere and nowhere. You just have to look at it day by day, race by race. We’ll see what the summer brings.”

For now, at least, nothing is on his schedule after the Swiss stage race, he confirmed. But that could still change for the Slovenian. “For now I’m here, after that there are still some races to come. It’s simple: if you’re good, you have no problem racing. But if you’re not good, it becomes hard. It depends on the level I have.” How is that level right now? “Come and ask me again in four or five hours,” he laughed in closing.