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

[CyclistAbi]

It would be a nothingburger for a random Belgian pundit. But if you're about to sign as the head manager of that team, torching the biggest rider on that team like that even based on incomplete information is completely asinine.

It all makes the Evenepoel signing feel less like an ambitious signing and much more like a hostile takeover.

I mean at least he was honest on how he sees it and as such i guess he can still apologise for it at some point and if proven wrong.

 

[Berniece]

Honestly I don't get the obsession and constant drama surrounding Rog.

Even a terrible Rog got 8th in the TdF. It is what it is and he is who he is. That's not cheap bad sports psychology there it's just a fact. You can't extrapolate (& especially in Vanthourenhout's case because he was about to get the job in the same team) Rog's TdF week one with some sort of broad conclusion.

I'd say unless proven otherwise, a top form Rog is still one of the top 5 GT riders in the world, maybe a bit lower if someone is feeling ungenerous. It just seems asinine (I use that word again) to pile on Rog when guys like Vlasov and Martinez are at this point basically cyclotouristes.

And neither of those have legendary peloton positioning skills either. The way I see it is there's all these other professional cyclists who get to just... cruise and pick up a paycheck... whereas with Rog? It's drama every time with someone of importance questioning his worth.

I agree that he is a top 5 GT contender in form. Vuelta last year clearly proved that, and so did TDF this year with suboptimal prep. He could’ve finished 4th if he wanted and maybe even on the podium. But he didn’t look great that first week, and I wouldn’t have put my money on him after that first week.

It would be a nothingburger for a random Belgian pundit. But if you're about to sign as the head manager of that team, torching the biggest rider on that team like that even based on incomplete information is completely asinine.

It all makes the Evenepoel signing feel less like an ambitious signing and much more like a hostile takeover.

It’s indeed weird to say such a thing knowing he’ll be one of your riders. I guess he just came there as an analyst and gave his opinion like that. Also his signing has nothing to do with Evenepoel. That’s a coincidence, Vanthourenhout would’ve been signed anyway. At least that’s what Belgian media is saying.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Also his signing has nothing to do with Evenepoel. That’s a coincidence, Vanthourenhout would’ve been signed anyway. At least that’s what Belgian media is saying.

So what you are basically saying is you trust Belgian media? Admirable.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Lmao Sven V. Most likely at that point he had already signed or being close to it. No shame and no worries either which suggest to me the higher up at Bora are feeling the same, ie. basically disregarding Roglic as a genuine GT-rider. Otherwise you surely wouldn't say that about Roglic?

 

[Red Rick]

Lmao Sven V. Most likely at that point he had already signed or being close to it. No shame and no worries either which suggest to me the higher up at Bora are feeling the same, ie. basically disregarding Roglic as a genuine GT-rider. Otherwise you surely wouldn't say that about Roglic?

I doubt they give too much of a crap what he says. They seem heavily Tour focused, so in that sense it's true, Roglic isn't gonna win the Tour. The higher ups are probalby the people who don't have a clue in general and are just there shelling out the money, so they're more listening to empty sales pitches and whatnot.

 

[Rackham]

Cycling is also all about the marketing and sponsorships. Rog is a tough sell because futurism in his case barely exists based on how the sport likes its multi-year future plans (which usually come to nothing but in the meantime some people make money and get to keep their jobs based on that plan). But Evenepoel? Much easier to get sponsors signing cheques for a 25 year old monument and GT winner based on predicted future wins. Teams love that.

The problem is when that money-making cynical marketing spiel encroaches on the sport side of things and you get pros getting discarded like trash because they don't fit the profile of the hope and dreams the team is selling for the future.

It looks like Rog's situation is hovering dangerously close to DEFCON 3 right now, i.e. a few words here and there from influential people (like our new 'friend' Sven) is just enough to achieve what they call in football the almighty unsettled player.

That usually happens because some people making the decisions want rid.

 

[Red Rick]

Cycling is also all about the marketing and sponsorships. Rog is a tough sell because futurism in his case barely exists based on how the sport likes its multi-year future plans (which usually come to nothing but in the meantime some people make money and get to keep their jobs based on that plan). But Evenepoel? Much easier to get sponsors signing cheques for a 25 year old monument and GT winner based on predicted future wins. Teams love that.

The problem is when that money-making cynical marketing spiel encroaches on the sport side of things and you get pros getting discarded like trash because they don't fit the profile of the hope and dreams the team is selling for the future.

It looks like Rog's situation is hovering dangerously close to DEFCON 3 right now, i.e. a few words here and there from influential people (like our new 'friend' Sven) is just enough to achieve what they call in football the almighty unsettled player.

That usually happens because some people making the decisions want rid.

Only way *** would really hit the fan would be if the team demands Rog does not go to the Tou rand Roglic really only wants the Tour and we get a hissy fit.

 

[CyclistAbi]

just enough to achieve what they call in football the almighty unsettled player.

That usually happens because some people making the decisions want rid.

They could send him to Manchester United.

 

[Rackham]

Only way *** would really hit the fan would be if the team demands Rog does not go to the Tou rand Roglic really only wants the Tour and we get a hissy fit.

I'd hope for everyone's sake that Rog manages to sell his domestique credentials to Denk and the other bigwigs.

It'll be very important for Rog, his career and his image in the public sphere among cycling followers, i.e. finally shedding his image as #selfishRogla and doing what's right would be a beautiful step in the right direction.

So that come week 3 of the TdF next year after he managed to convince his team to take him as a support rider, he drops Evenepoel against team orders and finishes on the podium.

No lie, no glory.

 

[Red Rick]

I'd hope for everyone's sake that Rog manages to sell his domestique credentials to Denk and the other bigwigs.

It'll be very important for Rog, his career and his image in the public sphere among cycling followers, i.e. finally shedding his image as #selfishRogla and doing what's right would be a beautiful step in the right direction.

So that come week 3 of the TdF next year after he managed to convince his team to take him as a support rider, he drops Evenepoel against team orders and finishes on the podium.

No lie, no glory.

Look, Rogla has mastered the art of not giving a ***. He's not gonna care about his selfless domestique PR. And if he's gonna be selfless, the best way to do it is to drop Evenepoel setting up Pogacar at the WC.

The whole perception of Rogla has never been based on reality, and always only about *** narratives, and the Belgians first and foremost have always had the biggest axe to grind with him.

 

[CyclistAbi]

... setting up Pogacar at the WC.

Doubtful. UAE was drilling all along for Pogi to finish second. On where Rogla was still in it for stage win and potentially podium spot. So honestly i don't see it, if participating Rogla will ride for himself.

 

[Rackham]

Look, Rogla has mastered the art of not giving a ***. He's not gonna care about his selfless domestique PR. And if he's gonna be selfless, the best way to do it is to drop Evenepoel setting up Pogacar at the WC.

The whole perception of Rogla has never been based on reality, and always only about *** narratives, and the Belgians first and foremost have always had the biggest axe to grind with him.

Oh sure it was always B.S.

He always paid for everyone else's sins. Like in that Vuelta 2023 when Vingegaard kept on attacking Kuss but Rog was labelled the selfish bad guy. So it's not just the almighty Belgians and their narratives. It's cycling and a few of its players.

FYI no one spoke about it much but he also just did a whole load of work for Van Gils in San Sebastian on Saturday (on the flat during the chase behind Del Toro in particular).

 

[Rackham]

Doubtful. UAE was drilling all along for Pogi to finish second. On where Rogla was still in it for stage win and potentially podium spot. So honestly i don't see it, if participating Rogla will ride for himself.

I don't think so.

I reckon if anyone is totally realistic regarding who the strongest in one day races is, it's Rog. And that strongest guy is obviously Pog. He didn't even pretend to do anything other than do whatever Pog needed him to do last year in the Worlds.

The big question about the Worlds this year is whether he even wants to go there just to be a domestique for Pog again. It's a long way from home.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@Rackham

Until Rogla participated Pogi hasn't become world champion, this year i guess he can try for himself again. I don't see it, Rogla helping out again, for that UAE should have eased off. They chased all day long to finish second, Hauptman was in the car too.

As for the rest of the debate, yeah, all in all if RBH will selection the Tour 2026 roster by sending their finest in terms of GT GC then Rogla is in and Sven can be in the car, otherwise thanks but no thanks.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I'd hope for everyone's sake that Rog manages to sell his domestique credentials to Denk and the other bigwigs.

It'll be very important for Rog, his career and his image in the public sphere among cycling followers, i.e. finally shedding his image as #selfishRogla and doing what's right would be a beautiful step in the right direction.

So that come week 3 of the TdF next year after he managed to convince his team to take him as a support rider, he drops Evenepoel against team orders and finishes on the podium.

No lie, no glory.

Have to say, I'd love it if he made some vague statement about enjoying moving into the 'Sepp Kuss' role in the latter stages of his career.... and then 'just happened to get into' a Vuelta'23-style break

 

[acm]

Solution: split the team and create a new outfit, like Toro Rosso aka AlphaTauri in f1 is Red Bull's second team.

Rog can be leader. Give him a few besties (Tratnik, Vlasov, Denz) and he's good to go. Anywhere. Even the TdF.

Don't forget Italian besties Sobrero and Aleotti.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

He should have Tour de Suisse as primary target next year. Winning that would be historic. And it is realistic. Another Grand Tour win only happens if Pogacar and Vingegaard are absent and even then I only give hime 20 % chance.

Based on what? Are you assuming that age has gotten him rather than just the Giro crashes, or do you think that others have gotten so good they are a lot better than what we saw in the 2024 Giro? Because mostly what I see is no real evidence in 2025 that he has declined. He torched the field in Catalunya on the classics style hilly stage. Then he got hurt. And even then he put up some big performances in the Tour, though not at his usual standards as a whole.

This new DS really seems to have faith in his riders

This is just a terrible move for an incoming leader. Only way it could possibly make sense is if he is A) Trying some psychological tactic to jumpstart Rog, which I don't think is what's happening or likely to work; or B) He is trying to push Roglic to leave with the rest of the leadership team's blessing. Otherwise, all he's accomplishing is sewing discord and predisposing Roglic and potentially other teammates and staff members to dislike him.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Like psyops will work on Rogla, more likely scenario to be for Sven to pull for Rogla at the end of it.

Anyway, after all the dicking settles down i feel that realisation will hit and will hit hard. Going there solo Pogi and Jonas likely to gut and skin in no time, a so called leader. Rogla, Lipo, Remco ... pressing, now that IMHO finally provides a viable solution, on how to change the rule of engagement and to start dictating the outcome of the race. A year from now hence maybe all mentioned riders will refuse to ride the Tour without each other and lets hope that this time GT GC AAA team to gets send and not some breadcrumbs. We'll see.

 

[CyclistAbi]

So, after enjoying some time off with the family and mushroom picking, what is next for our beloved? In terms of the cycling season 2025.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

So, after enjoying some time off with the family and mushroom picking, what is next for our beloved? In terms of the cycling season 2025.

Vuelta victory OFC and then being a domestique at WC for his best friend Pogi.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Vuelta victory OFC and then being a domestique at WC for his best friend Pogi.

Vuelta could be an option but in terms of GT racing the season was already a bit packed. Finishing the season with a GT win would be nice but at the risk of burning out completely. So ATM i am a bit sceptical. At the Worlds hence if doing Vuelta likely road race is not to be serisussly attempted but if not doing Vuelta then IMHO maybe it's time to become a world champion. Working for Pogi in any case is likely off the table this year, due to UAE not easing off when Rogla went for it at the Tour. So best if Pogi relies on some other riders this year, riders that basically don't demand anything in return and are OK if the relationship is more of an one side affair. Pogi can still ride for himself and finish second, though.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Working for Pogi in any case is likely off the table this year, due to UAE not easing off when Rogla went for it at the Tour. So best if Pogi relies on some other riders this year, riders that basically don't demand anything in return and are OK if the relationship is more of an one side affair. Pogi can still ride for himself and finish second, though.

Legendary stuff.

 

[CyclistAbi]

The way i see it the decision will need to be made in between riding a GT or exclusively focusing on one day races for the remainder of the season. Mixing it up likely not optimal.

We'll see.

 

[Rou]

So, after enjoying some time off with the family and mushroom picking, what is next for our beloved? In terms of the cycling season 2025.

Maybe it's time to go to Tour of Britain to give one last smacking to his friend Remco?

 

[CyclistAbi]

Maybe it's time to go to Tour of Britain to give one last smacking to his friend Remco?

Could be but i doubt Rogla is thinking all that much about Remco ATM. Next year we'll see on how that pans out.

P.S. Just read on how some staff from SOQ is saying RBH needs an attacking youngsters with fire in his eyes on where Rogla is too passive and wearing low socks. It's getting ridiculous so lets cross that bridge when we get to it and in flip flops if needed.