Rolf Aldag: Primož Roglič could not have done more 🇸🇮
The Slovenian has cut a tranquil figure at the Tour de France but his sports director isn’t questioning the rider's ambition
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Three stages into the 2025 Tour de France, and it’s still unclear what we’ll see from Primož Roglič once the real GC battles commence later in the race.
Coming into the race, the Slovenian appeared very relaxed, insisting that he wasn’t stressed about the three weeks ahead and that he didn’t give much thought to wearing the yellow jersey. Losing time on stage 1 in the cross winds around Lille still wasn’t the start the 35-year-old and his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team had hoped for, but sports director Rolf Aldag certainly isn’t questioning his team leader’s commitment or ambition.
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“There’s been no drama. Luckily, there’s been none so far, but we’ve seen how quickly it can happen in the Tour de France, so we cross our fingers that none will happen. On purpose, we’ve decided not to take huge risks, even if the consequences are to lose some seconds, and that’s where we are now so I think that we can be happy,” the German told us at the end of stage 3 Dunkerque, where Roglič finished in the main field behind winner Tim Merlier.
Roglič sits 23rd overall, 49 seconds off yellow and 45 seconds behind race favourite Tadej Pogačar, but the 33km stage 5 time trial in and around Caen will provide the sternest examination yet of Roglič’s true intentions within this year’s race.
“We all have a purpose to be here. It’s not just to spend three wonderful weeks in France. I think that he could afford a holiday with his family if he wanted, so if he wanted an alternative and to just travel around France with a bicycle, I’m sure that his bank account would allow him. He’s still a very ambitious bike rider and we’re an ambitious team that supports him in that. We’re here for results with Primož, with Jordi Meeus and hopefully some others if the chances are there,” Aldag said.