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Primož Roglič, the renowned Slovenian cyclist, made headlines recently by confirming his upcoming departure from the Jumbo-Visma team at the season's close. This significant announcement was made during an interaction with the media at the Giro dell’Emilia event in Carpi. However, fans and enthusiasts will have to remain patient, as Roglič intends to disclose his future team only post his engagement at Il Lombardia next week.
“My focus, for now, is on the race. Details about my next move will be revealed once my current commitments are over,” asserted Roglič.
Rumors about Roglič's potential exit became more pronounced after speculations arose about a possible merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal-QuickStep, even though he still holds a contract with Jumbo-Visma until next season’s end. During the Vuelta a España, Richard Plugge, Jumbo-Visma's manager, refuted the idea of Roglič breaking his contract, calling him the team’s “king.”
Roglič's Rise Amid Team Dynamics
Roglič, a former ski jumper, transitioned to cycling and joined Jumbo-Visma in 2016. His expertise in stage racing quickly gained recognition at the WorldTour level. Among his many accolades are three Vuelta a España titles and a triumphant stint at this year's Giro d’Italia, enhancing Jumbo-Visma's Grand Tours streak.
However, the dynamic within the team has been shifting. The emergence of Jonas Vingegaard as a contender and Sepp Kuss' recent victory in the Vuelta heightened internal competition. Add to that the rumored arrival of Remco Evenepoel from Soudal-QuickStep, the competition seems even more intense.
Roglič's imminent exit has sparked interest from several teams, including Ineos, Bora-Hansgrohe, Movistar, Lidl-Trek, Israel Premier Tech, and Bahrain Victorious. His recent declaration further solidifies Jumbo-Visma's decision to part ways. All eyes will be on the Il Lombardia race next Saturday, where Roglič's next move will be eagerly awaited.
Currently, at the Giro dell’Emilia, Roglič is pitted against Tadej Pogačar from the UAE Team Emirates. Having secured victories here in 2019 and 2021, expectations are high. "It's my first one-day race of the season, so the focus will be on assessing my form after the Vuelta," commented Roglič.
As the cycling world buzzes with anticipation, Roglič's next appearance will be at the Tre Valli Varesine before the season concludes at Il Lombardia, marking the end of his era with Jumbo-Visma.
