Primož Roglič has confirmed rumors he will depart the all-conquering Jumbo-Visma outfit at the end of this season, sparking feverish competition between the teams vying for his signature.
Roglič chose to keep details of his next destination under wraps until the season-closing Giro di Lombardia, fueling speculation.
“I can definitely confirm yes, that I will leave the team, but we want to tell all the details as to where, after the races that I do,” said Roglič prior to his third victory at the Giro dell’Emilia this weekend.
Jumbo-Visma manager Richard Plugge confirmed the team had “given [Primoz] the green light” to leave, accepting his transfer request.
It appears the unexpected victory of Sepp Kuss at the Vuelta a España with the blessing of Jumbo-Visma’s team management created more tensions than it initially seemed.
While some friction was inevitable with three current Grand Tour winners racing for a single team, the immediacy of Roglič’s announcement has nonetheless caught the cycling world off-guard.
It remains to be seen what role the prospective merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal-QuickStep, which has dominated cycling headlines over the past week, played in the Slovenian’s decision to quit the Dutch outfit.
Where Will Roglič Go?
Throughout the Vuelta a España, the management of Jumbo-Visma sought to downplay speculation that Roglič was unhappy with his position on the team. Plugge even described the Slovenian as “Jumbo-Visma’s king”.
With those efforts failing dramatically, the cycling grapevine is buzzing with rumors about Roglič’s next team association.
BORA-hansgrohe appear to be the frontrunners, having developed from outsiders to major contenders for the Slovenian’s signature in the past few days, as per GCN.
Ineos Grenadiers appear to be the main rivals in the chase for Roglič. As the richest team in the peloton, they have the budget to make him a very competitive offer, and it’s no secret that they’re desperately ambitious to return to the top step at the Tour de France.
With the powers of Geraint Thomas waning and neither Tom Pidcock nor Carlos Rodríguez appearing ready to mount a serious challenge for the yellow jersey in 2024, the British team has a clear opening for a genuine GC superstar on its books.
And with the likes of Pidcock, Rodríguez, and the still-improving Egan Bernal available as domestiques, Ineos could be an attractive package for Roglič in his pursuit of the crown that so cruelly evaded him in 2020.
Early reports suggest Red Bull and Specialized may both make funds available to enable BORA-hansgrohe to compete with any Ineos salary offer, but with billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bankrolling the British team, this may yet prove impossible.
Movistar have also thrown their hat in the ring, while Lidl-Trek, Bahrain Victorious, and Jayco-AlUla have all reportedly held talks with Roglič’s representatives, but it’s understood their chances of signing Roglič are slim.
By confirming his departure from Jumbo-Visma, Roglič has set the stage for his next big reveal. The eagerly awaited announcement about his future association is expected at the end of his season, after October 7th.
from Ski Jumping to Grand Tour Triumphs
Roglič’s association with Jumbo-Visma traces back to 2016. This alliance was forged after his transition from ski jumping to professional cycling. His prowess on the bicycle was evident as he swiftly carved a niche for himself at WorldTour level.
Notably, he clinched the Vuelta a España title three times, won one Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and won the Giro d’Italia this year.
However, 2023 saw Roglič skipping the Tour de France, paving the way for Jonas Vingegaard to step in as the primary contender.
This move was intriguing, especially with Vingegaard and Sepp Kuss showcasing their capabilities, thereby intensifying the internal team competition.
Join the conversation…
We want to hear your opinion!
Where should Roglič go next? Is his departure a mistake, or was the timing right with the strength of Vingegaard, the emergence of Kuss, and the potential merger bringing Evenepoel into the mix too?
And most importantly: could Roglič rival Jonas Vingegaard for the Tour de France title in 2024?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!