Roglic does not see balance between Evenepoel and Lipowitz as problematic: 'It's going to be very easy'

With Florian Lipowitz on the podium at the Tour de France, Red Bull–BORA-hansgrohe had plenty of reason to celebrate. It’s a place Primoz Roglic surely would have liked to occupy himself, but reality turned out differently. Now, with Remco Evenepoel joining the team, the Slovenian veteran suddenly finds his role under pressure. What will 2026 look like for him? Roglic opens up.

It was a challenging year, but one Roglic still looks back on with satisfaction. He told Marca that, 'In terms of victories, I didn’t win that many, but otherwise it was quite a normal season. I had some problems and challenges to overcome, so from that perspective it was a good season. The fact that I can still compete with some of the best riders in the world gives me a good feeling.'

With Evenepoel coming in, Roglic gains a new rival — but he doesn’t see it that way. 'It’s going to be very easy,' he said of their future cooperation. 'There are a lot of races, and it’s not always about who does what. From my point of view, it’s more about how you win the race, or how you are the best. That’s always how I try to think. First, we need to be ready to be the best, and then it doesn’t matter to me who wins.'

The four-time Vuelta a España champion insists there’s no tension. In fact, he believes the team — and himself — will only benefit. 'I think it’s great for the team to have him. He’s shown that he’s special and that he can win a lot of races, so I hope he can do the same for our team next year.'

Red Bull also has another leader in Lipowitz. The German finished third at the Tour de France, but can he ever win a Grand Tour? Roglic isn’t sure. 'He was on the podium last year and showed really good and solid progress. He’s been on the podium in a lot of top races, so from that point of view — yes, of course. But to win? It’s hard to say whether that’s enough or not.'

Last year was a breakthrough season for the young climber, who even finished ahead of his co-leader Roglic — eighth in Paris. The Slovenian believes his teammate can back that up. 'It’s a bit unrealistic to say it right away, but of course, as I said, he’s there. He’s been on the podium, and I don’t see why he couldn’t do it again.'

Red Bull–BORA-hansgrohe is facing a luxury problem. With Roglic, Evenepoel, Lipowitz, and Jai Hindley (fourth at the Vuelta), the team has extraordinary depth. But who rides where? There are only three Grand Tours, and everyone will want to go to the Tour de France. For Roglic, however, the Vuelta a España remains a realistic option.

'It’s a bit unfair to talk about next year’s program already; it’s way too early,' he said. 'I just want to take a break, then a good think about it, and decide what I’ll do next year. But yes, it would be quite cool to start the Vuelta. If I could press the button to win the fifth Vuelta, I would already do it. But that’s still far away — it’s doesn't work so easy. But it's a challenge, yes.'

But does that mean the Slovenian will make room for the other leaders at the Tour? Not quite. The Tour de France remains special to him. 'It’s much harder, but from a professional point of view, the Tour is, of course, the Tour. Every rider wants to be there, wants to do it. It’s the most important race of the year, so yes, it would be amazing to be part of it.'