'We shouldn’t be afraid' - Primo Roglic aiming to be at 'highest level' for Tour de France to topple Jonas Vingegaard

Updated 11/01/2024 at 14:23 GMT

Primoz Roglic has set his sights on winning the Tour de France after being named as the lead rider for Bora-Hansgrohe. The 34-year old Slovenian is getting to know his new team-mates after making the switch from Jumbo-Visma. He finished second in the race in 2020, and after landing the Giro d'Italia last year, is hoping to go one better this summer at the Tour.

Highlights as Pogacar claims historic victory at Il Lombardia, Roglic third

Primoz Roglic is aiming to be at his "highest level" as he targets victory at the Tour de France this year.

The Slovenian is set to be the lead rider for new team Bora-Hansgrohe at the Grand Tour.

He finished second in the 2020 edition, heartbreakingly surrendering the yellow jersey to fellow countryman Tadej Pogacar on the penultimate stage.

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He didn't finish the Tour in 2021 or 2022, and last year opted to miss it, opting instead for the Giro d'Italia, which he won, and Vuelta a Espana.

Now his focus will be on peaking for the Tour de France, which is the only one of the three Grand Tours he hasn't won.

"I aim to be at my highest level for the Tour de France," he is quoted as saying by cyclingnews.com.

"I mean, we have a clear goal of what to work for, and it has to be the highest possible. Then it’s just about executing it, doing everything for it every day.

"We shouldn’t be afraid, then the result is what it is, we can only do our best, then we can all be happy.

“The key point is going for the Tour de France.

"For everything in between, it’s a bonus or a plus if you can achieve good results. But mostly, you need to stay healthy and happy, and then the rest will follow.”

Roglic has made the switch to Bora-Hansgrohe in the off-season, having spent the last seven years with Jumbo-Visma.

Asked how he can overcome former team-mate and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard, Roglic said: “There’s not much you have to do, you just have to be better than him.

"You can talk a lot, but at end of day you just have to finish ahead.”

Roglic certainly enjoyed a successful time with his former team, winning three Vuelta a Espana titles, before landing the Giro d'Italia last year.

The Slovenian will spend the next few weeks getting to know his new team-mates, as he attempts to prepare in the best possible fashion for the 2024 season.

"I’m excited for the new things we do together," he added.

"We’ll push each other and try to create great memories and great stories together.

"There are new guys, new stuff, and new challenges ahead. After all these years with Jumbo-Visma team, joining Bora-Hansgrohe is a super welcome step for me.

"I’m looking forward to training more with everyone, to meet and speak to everyone and then we’ll see out on the road how we go."

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