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In a thrilling development for cycling enthusiasts, Slovenian sensation Primož Roglič is gearing up to go head-to-head with compatriot Tadej Pogačar, marking their first encounter this season, as Roglič extends his 2023 campaign to encompass the prestigious Giro dell'Emilia and the illustrious Il Lombardia.
The 2023 cycling season has been nothing short of spectacular for Roglič, who added an array of titles to his already impressive repertoire. Notable victories include triumphs in the Giro d’Italia, Tirreno-Adriatico, the Volta a Catalunya, and the Vuelta a Burgos, culminating in a commendable third-place finish at the Vuelta a España.
As he continues his rigorous training regimen, Roglič is now setting his sights on the end-of-season Italian Classics, where he'll lock horns with Pogačar at the Giro dell'Emilia, scheduled for Saturday, October 30.
A week later, another potential challenger looms in the form of Remco Evenepoel at Il Lombardia. The Giro dell'Emilia, renowned for its dramatic finish on the San Luca climb above Bologna, holds special significance as it will host the finish of stage 2 in the 2024 Tour de France.
While Jumbo-Visma has yet to confirm their leaders for the upcoming Tour de France, Roglič, who sees the Grand Boucle as the pinnacle of his career, remains steadfast in his pursuit of this coveted goal.
Roglič's Stellar Season, Vingegaard's Early Farewell
Reflecting on his extraordinary season, Roglič commented, "This season was the best in my career.
Like wine, the older I get, the better I get. It's never boring because there are a lot of young riders emerging that push us to keep working and moving forward." Meanwhile, in a contrasting turn of events, Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard has made the somber announcement that his 2023 season has drawn to a close.
Vingegaard's exhaustive campaign spanning 67 days saw him achieve remarkable feats, commencing with his victory at O Gran Camiño in late February. Notably, he secured third place at Paris-Nice, went on to conquer the Itzulia Basque Country, the Critérium du Dauphiné, and the Tour de France, ultimately securing second place at the Vuelta a España behind compatriot Sepp Kuss.
As Vingegaard looks forward to a well-deserved respite, he shared his plans for a three-week break, promising cherished moments with his wife and young daughter during a holiday hiatus, offering a glimpse into the life of a professional cyclist beyond the pedal-powered pursuits.