Roglič will race the Giro AND Tour de France: "We’re not at the top of the mountain where the only way is down"

According to Rolf Aldag, sports director at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, this strategy has its advantages. "The Giro suits our team very well. It’s a chance for the squad to strengthen itself and build confidence before heading into the Tour," Aldag told Velo and Cyclingnews. He believes that Roglič’s Grand Tour experience, combined with the team’s strength, puts them in a good position to attempt the double successfully.

The Slovenian has nearly won it all, yet the absence of a Tour de France victory remains a blemish on his record—especially the way he lost it, a moment that still haunts him. "It seems like a huge gamble, but we believe that Primož’s endurance and the stability we have now will allow us to successfully tackle both the Giro and the Tour," says Aldag.

Success in the Giro d’Italia could give Roglič the confidence he needs for the Tour. Aldag is convinced that this strategy is key to easing the pressure of the yellow jersey. "If we win the Giro, expectations for the Tour will change. It will reduce the pressure, and Roglič can approach the Tour with a different mindset."

Roglič is known for his mental resilience. Despite setbacks—his dramatic Tour defeat in 2020 and crashes in later editions—he keeps fighting. "Primož has proven that he can come back physically and mentally from serious crashes. His mental toughness is comparable to that of Mark Cavendish, another athlete I have worked with. There aren’t many riders like Primož."

Roglič will start his 2025 season at the Volta ao Algarve, followed by the Volta a Catalunya. After that, he will fully focus on the Giro d'Italia, which is meant to serve as preparation for the Tour de France. "Primož knows what he is capable of, and his training program has been carefully designed to bring him to peak form at the right time. We have the best experts in nutrition, training, and mental performance. This allows us to prepare Roglič in the best possible way," says Aldag.

Yet, no matter how many nutrition coaches, well-planned training schedules, or tactical masterplans you have, it remains uncertain whether it will be enough to beat Tadej Pogačar. "He is the best, and we can’t avoid him. If you want to beat the best, you have to race against the best," the team director says with determination.

Roglič also believes he still has plenty of opportunities ahead. "Inside, I still feel like I’m 20 years old. I could even dye my hair to hide the gray and look younger," the 35-year-old Slovenian jokes. "The goal is—let’s say—I reached a very high level last year in the Vuelta. I want to reach that same level and form again."

Whether that will be enough remains to be seen. The team still believes Roglič is improving. "We don’t feel like we’re at the top of the mountain and that the only way is down—not at all. From what I understand from the performance team, his numbers are still improving, and that’s great to see. What we can’t control, however, is what Tadej or Jonas will do. The results will simply be a reflection of whether we have done everything perfectly," Aldag concludes.