Interesting interview in today's La Gazzetta dello Sport: (which answers many questions on his status and ambitions on Jumbo)
G: Primoz do think you are living the best season of your career?
P: I don't really know, but I believe that I'm enjoying myself more than in in the past, maybe because I've become wiser with age. For sure I want to continue like this.
G: You are always able to arrive prepared for each competition. How do you do it?
P: Each year I try to change something in training, to evolve. But the key is to take everything in stride, in a relaxed way, just peddling without asking yourself too many questions. I have faith in my work and, once again, there's a good chance I'm ready for this Vuelta.
G: Your Jumbo-Visma is going after a grand slam never done by one team in the same year. You have already won the Giro and Vingegaard the Tour. But now you are together: you both start on the same footing and will it be the rode that decides who is captain?
P: Yes, I hope so. The priority is to win as a team. And it's not just he and I who aspire to win the GC, but many very strong rivals. For me it's a great challenge.
G: Would you be willing to help Vingegaard if it were necessary, and would the same be valid for the Dane?
P: Certainly, it's not something up for discussion. It's a question of professionalism.
G: You mentioned many rivals: will Evenepoel, the defending champion, be the most dangerous?
P: I'll know better after some stages, after I've seen everybody. Remco just won the WCTT and there's nothing else to add. He will be very competative. I also think of Thomas, of Ayuso. Like I said, there are many of them.
G: Three months have passed since you won the Giro. Have you enjoyed It? Did it give you something extra?
P: Naturally yes, I savoured it. I've thought about it often and can say, "I won the Giro d'Italia." It's an incerdible privilege. I'm the first Slovenian to have done so. It's history.
G: You once said as time goes by, like a fine wine, I get better. What's the main reason?
P: Experience teaches new things and I try to put them into practice and progress.
G: You turn 34 in October. Have you thought about when you will stop?
P: No, really, and I'm not interested in thinking about it. As long as I'm enjoying myself, I'll continue. When I'll realize I've had enough, I'll stop, without hesitation or second thoughts.
G: Three Vueltas, a Giro, Olympic gold in the TT and much more, only the Tour is missing. Have you given up on that?
P: No, no. It's missing and I will still try to win it.
G: Let's finish with a thought towards this Vuelta. There's no doubt you have a special rapport with Spain. How come?
P: The routes, the climate, the warmth of the fans. This year, furthermore, on the route we encounter the Angrilu, the Tourmalet... mythical climbs. And to have the opportunity to win for the fourth time motivates me a lot.