Roglic now probably only helpers for Vingegaard
However, his dream of winning the first tour has already burst. Roglic lost more than two minutes to his compatriot Tadej Pogacar. And even if the defending champion should weaken, too many other strong ranking drivers are still placed in between. So Roglic will have to get used to being a helper for the young Dane Vingegaard from now on. It will be another tour of suffering for Roglic.
Two years ago, the former ski jumper was able to win the tour for the first time. In the decisive time trial on the penultimate day, Roglic was the leader, just under a minute ahead of Pogacar. The fight against the clock up to the Planche des Belles Filles was to become Roglic’s first tour disaster. With a pale face and a special helmet that was completely crooked, he reached the finish – almost two minutes slower than Pogacar, the overall victory was gone.
Time is running out for the Slovenian
Roglic got back on his feet, winning the Tour of Spain for the second time in the fall and launching a new attack on the Tour win. The hope for yellow lasted until the third stage. There the Italian Sony Colbrelli drove a swerve, pushing Roglic off the road. He landed so unhappily in a gravel bed that he tore his butt, his back and the entire left side. Photos of the completely bandaged Roglic became a hit on social media.
Two days later, Roglic delivered a solid time trial. But the torment grew. On the first rest day, Roglic got out. In autumn he won the Tour of Spain again. For the goal of Tour victory, he is now running out of time. While the young professionals Pogacar (23) and Vingegaard (25) can still improve, Roglic, who is almost a decade older, is going in the opposite direction.