Teams & Riders Everybody needs a little bit of Roglstomp in their lives

[Gargamel35]

He just doesn't want to talk to media. Period. That's why he gives short boring answers that don't go anywhere so "reporter" can't do a follow up question. If he answers he did check the stages, then he'll get the next question about stage nr. X or which one is hard, or similar BS. If he answers eh, no, yes, no clue, didn't check anything...there is no way to go from here. Free Rog.

 

[theyoungest]

Its his 'persona', he likes to come across at this carefree rider that doesnt really care if he wins, hasn't looked into the route and when he goes downhill, he just closes his eyes because he doesnt care if he crashes. He should probably care a bit more on the latter part especially given the last years of his career.

But most of his fans eat that stuff up. I don't know why, but they like it.

I think Roglic is genuinely not focused on what the first week has to offer. It's not his persona as much as it's a survival strategy. What's the point in him studying every little detail, to know every corner and every bottleneck where things could go south. This obviously hasn't helped him in the years before, and it only increases stress. I think he's trying a more "Buddhist" approach, if you like.

 

[CyclistAbi]

He just doesn't want to talk to media.

Well, he seems to enjoy it, rather laid back approach.

 

[CyclistAbi]

So Pogi complemented Jonas, for being a better climber, Rogla basically and in between the lines complimented Pogi, Jonas and Remco, as for him it's just about getting to Paris and having a glass of champagne. Remco hinting he wants to win and Jonas hinting that without Pogi he would put 2 minutes into everybody on each climb.

Here Rogla again being a level above the competition, true craftsmanship. It shows it's his seventeen GT.

 

[Rackham]

First his detractors came for his stomp. We did not speak out. Then they came for his team leadership. We did not speak out either.

But when they came for his pre-TdF interviews, we grabbed those pitchforks! No one messes with the Roglacisms.

 

[CyclistAbi]

But when they came for his pre-TdF interviews, we grabbed those pitchforks!

And sharpen the pencils, it seems that all were taking notes.

 

[Gargamel35]

And sharpen the pencils, it seems that all were taking notes.

Man, what a "room" and so much people. For a washed up almost 40 year old guy who crashes a lot. It's pretty impressive.

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1940868018890068084

View: https://x.com/DanDeakins/status/1940868018890068084

 

[Gargamel35]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1940868018890068084

View: https://x.com/DanDeakins/status/1940868018890068084

It's a good mindset. You can't win if you don't start. You can't win if you don't finish. If you start and finish...anything can happen, just do your best. I'm sure Rog will be a very happy man if he finishes this tour without a fall.

 

[Extinction]

What do you think? Is he stoically accepting the new realities in which he is not a serious contender, is he cleverly feigning weakness and indifference, is he waxing poetic because that’s who he is, with no indication of how he’ll fare, is this direction or misdirection? Of course it’ll all be irrelevant if he crashes in stage 1…

I can't presume to know what's in his head. It sounds as if he knows Pog and Vingo are stronger in the mountains. He emphasized his age, 36, so time waits for no one, but he's a warrior, so he will fight with everything he has and see where that takes him. What else can he do? Time and again, he has demonstrated incredible resilience to the adversity lady fortune has dealt him. Perhaps this year all his cards will fall into place and Pog and Vingo get thrown bad luck. It seems he understands that's what needs to happen for him to finally net victory in the Tour.

 

[Filippo_3467]

No wonder RB is bringing a sprint team. The way Roglic talks the should go for Lipo GC and Roglic to loose time in prupose in the first week to go stage hunting. Wouldn't be surprised if Red Bull and Roglic seperating as soon as possible if they can score a a big GC hope like Evenepoel or Almeida with their money.

 

[red_flanders]

I seem to have stumbled into drama here by tripping over a tripwire or something.

Why are we even arguing? Rog's thread is clearly not for 'uncritical adoration' considering how he's viewed and ranked before this TdF. The consensus everywhere is he crashes too much, might be too old, doesn't have full backing of his team (Lipo and Meeus have their chances here) and just didn't have the right sort of build-up to the Tour to be particularly confident about getting a result (Giro disasterclass and antibiotics does that).

So like... in amongst all of that... I don't get the need to kind of pinpoint that one comment in his presser about studying the parcours (or lack thereof) and make a meal out of it.

He even said himself that if 10th is the best result he can achieve, then so be it. And sadly (at least from my perspective because I want him to do well) there does exist a particularly depressing scenario in which he's just not quite right in terms of level in this TdF because of the problems he had in Italy.

I made one comment. There were multiple responses. I replied to some of them. Seems normal. It’s dead-on, on-topic discussion.

I don’t think he’s too old, and I think the idea that he shouldn’t be the sole leader of his team baffling. He’s had the opportunity to prepare incredibly well and I expect him to be in as good of form as we’ve seen him.

I don’t know why any of these other unrelated discussions about Roglic are being tacked on to my comment.

 

[red_flanders]

Oh so now Rogla is a serious GC contender, then indeed better to listen on pre stage briefings. As it's the team, on who is responsible for such things, and according to the team they did a good job this year. Let's see.

To the bolded, yes, and I’ve said so directly to you at least twice.

The rest of your post I can’t parse.

 

[red_flanders]

I think Roglic is genuinely not focused on what the first week has to offer. It's not his persona as much as it's a survival strategy. What's the point in him studying every little detail, to know every corner and every bottleneck where things could go south. This obviously hasn't helped him in the years before, and it only increases stress. I think he's trying a more "Buddhist" approach, if you like.

There is more than one stage in the first week with the potential to affect the GC. There are places where echelons may form, there are steep finales, etc. It’s the biggest race of the year.

A GC contender who came into the race not having a good understanding of the first week would be unprofessional and ignorant. He’s neither.

 

[CyclistAbi]

To the bolded, yes, and I’ve said so directly to you at least twice.

Good, as most seem to push for a slightly different narrative, said that obviously the road doesn't care about things like social media or spreadsheets.

The rest of your post I can’t parse.

Rogla is there to perform, that is his job, nutrition, equipment, tactics, positioning on exposed sections ... that all comes down, for the most part, to the team and team briefings and such. For sure Rogla underlined a couple of stages, did some reconing too, but for the most part i am sure that he left it to the team, to figure it out. As for the rest, one of GC rivals making a move, that is on where Rogla steps in, professionally.

 

[Valv.Piti]

There's always something, isnt there? At least he can be excused if he doesnt do to well because of his Giro d' italia DNF 1 and a half month ago. Realistically, that only improved his chances, but there's always SOMETHING that needs to explain why he's underwhelming.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@Valv.Piti

I don't see it, any excuses, Rogla won enough and can hold his own, this is just extra and the plan for sure is to win this race, just like done with all the others.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Well, if you don't see the excuses, its because you haven't read Rackham's posts. Cant really help you with that.

 

[CyclistAbi]

No wonder RB is bringing a sprint team. The way Roglic talks the should go for Lipo GC and Roglic to loose time in prupose in the first week to go stage hunting. Wouldn't be surprised if Red Bull and Roglic seperating as soon as possible if they can score a a big GC hope like Evenepoel or Almeida with their money.

Sweet troubles for Rogla.

 

[Gargamel35]

Well, if you don't see the excuses, its because you haven't read Rackham's posts. Cant really help you with that.

You shouldn't focus on random forum guys opinions so much but rather on cyclists words and actions.

 

[Rackham]

There's always something, isnt there? At least he can be excused if he doesnt do to well because of his Giro d' italia DNF 1 and a half month ago. Realistically, that only improved his chances, but there's always SOMETHING that needs to explain why he's underwhelming.

I don't see why this is even a topic of conversation. Every rider ever - since I started watching this sport even - has a litany of reasons 'why' a defeat happens, with injury always being at the top of the list. Pog's broken wrist in Liège a couple of years ago? Check. Itzulia 2024? Check. Evenepoel crashing repeatedly (including in training last December)? Check.

Yes... everyone always has SOMETHING (in cap lock, because you prefer it that way). Even the great Mathieu van der Poel after his defeat in Ronde earlier this year cited some sort of illness.

I made one comment. There were multiple responses. I replied to some of them. Seems normal. It’s dead-on, on-topic discussion.

I don’t think he’s too old, and I think the idea that he shouldn’t be the sole leader of his team baffling. He’s had the opportunity to prepare incredibly well and I expect him to be in as good of form as we’ve seen him.

I don’t know why any of these other unrelated discussions about Roglic are being tacked on to my comment.

It's a totally pointless convo. He's being saying the exact same thing for years (about not really caring about the result or not checking the stage profiles) and for those who've been following him long enough we know exactly what he's saying, which is basically downplaying his chances and handwaving the press away so they stop bothering him or putting pressure on him.

The end. No need to psychoanalyze it to smithereens.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Well, if you don't see the excuses, its because you haven't read Rackham's posts. Cant really help you with that.

I mean cycling fans are free to believe if their favourite can or can't win the Tour. Some even say they don't want to jinx anything and such. Considering all the *** Rogla went through on this race i feel that it's safe to say we are likely beyond jinxing. So Que Sera, Sera is reasonable approach, on top of obviously doing everything in your power, the things you can control, to win this race, Rogla and the team.

 

[red_flanders]

It's a totally pointless convo. He's being saying the exact same thing for years (about not really caring about the result or not checking the stage profiles) and for those who've been following him long enough we know exactly what he's saying, which is basically downplaying his chances and handwaving the press away so they stop bothering him or putting pressure on him.

The end. No need to psychoanalyze it to smithereens.

Tend to agree. Which is why my comment was brief, critical, and offered zero psychoanalysis.

Give me a break. Who is the audience for such drivel?

He can't possibly be that dumb.

 

[pablohidalgo7]

No wonder RB is bringing a sprint team. The way Roglic talks the should go for Lipo GC and Roglic to loose time in prupose in the first week to go stage hunting. Wouldn't be surprised if Red Bull and Roglic seperating as soon as possible if they can score a a big GC hope like Evenepoel or Almeida with their money.

I hope Bora fans, and German fans in general, don't jump on the bandwagon if, for whatever reason, Roglic survives the first week and proves he has podium legs (I think the latter is quite likely if the former happens), because in general in every social platform, you tend to show little patience or gratitude towards Primoz, as if he were one of the team's main problems. The reality is that despite all his falls and retirements since he arrived in 2024, he has given the team a Grand Tour, a Dauphiné and a Volta a Catalunya, so far more than the rest of the team has achieved in years.

 

[Rackham]

Tend to agree. Which is why my comment was brief, critical, and offered zero psychoanalysis.

If you insist on a deep dive into this 'issue' (despite many of us giving you repeated explanations regarding the how, why, where and logic behind his comments), it really derives from the fact no one actually knows what his level is. And he's probably much happier with it that way.

The 'drivel' as you call it could even be true. For real. Maybe he really hasn't looked at the profiles closely because he feels terrible right now? I mean there's a point where people need to realize Rog's performances can be extremely unpredictable to viewers because he keeps the truth about his condition close to his chest. We didn't see his complete collapse in the Giro coming, did we? He kept that one quiet. He has a poker face and uses it in interviews as well.

So eyes wide open. That's what following this rider in GT's (especially the Tour) requires.