Olympic time trial champion in Tokyo, he spoke from his training camp in Tenerife, with his Jumbo team.

He has never participated in these two races in two days, the Ardèche Classic and the Drôme Classic, around Valence (Drôme).

Q: What does this first race of the season inspire in you?

A: "It's going to be tough, I've never done it, but it's not far from Monaco, so it's convenient, and I can't wait to do something new, so hopefully We're going to have fun. I feel good, but when we train alone in the sprint, we're always the best. With the races, we'll see where we really are. We've done a lot of kilometers here in Tenerife, we are ready to start the season and see how we are compared to the others. I don't expect anything special. If I have the legs, maybe I will achieve something, but if not I still have a little time to make small corrections".

Q: Did you change anything in your preparation?

A: "We always try to change things, to keep progressing, because if we don't improve, we regress, immediately. It doesn't always work, but we always try to move forward, in some aspects of our training, our nutrition, our equipment. The more very strong riders we have, the stronger our team is. It's also very important to keep having fun, to have fun".

Primoz Roglic on the Vuelta podium with his son Lev after his third victory in the Tour of Spain on September 5, 2021 in Santiago de Compostela MIGUEL RIOPA AFP / Archives

Q: What is your position on Egan Bernal's serious accident, in training in Colombia, on a time trial bike?

A: "We spend a lot of time on roads open to the public and you have to be very, very careful. We've all had 'shitty' situations, accidents, in our lives, and it takes a bit of luck sometimes. In my case, in Monaco it's not really flat, so I can't go and train on a time trial bike. Here in Tenerife, there is traffic, but it's easier, more sure, so I sometimes use one. The problem is not the bike, especially if you use it well, but it's that there are more people on the roads, more cars, so it's more and more dangerous".

Q: You were a Slovenian ski jumping hopeful before becoming a cyclist, did you watch the Games on TV?

A: "I didn't have time to watch the Games much, but one morning I watched the team jumping competition (on a large hill) and Slovenia finished 2nd, it was a great result. J "I was also very happy that Johan Clarey won the silver medal in the downhill. We were cycling together last year, so I know him. It was great to see".

Q: Looking back, how do you feel about your gold medal in the time trial in Tokyo last summer?

Primoz Roglic with his time trial gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on July 28, 2021 in Oyama Ina FASSBENDER AFP/Archives

A: "I was forced to retire from the Tour de France and I struggled to get over that, mentally and physically, so I'm proud to have managed to do that and then to have won that medal. gold. It was crazy, incredible. Such a medal, whatever the sport, it represents a lot of sacrifices. It gives me a + boost + for all my life, no one can ever take it away from me, I will be proud of it for a long time. all my life".

Q: At 32, do you feel capable of winning a 4th Vuelta?

A: "You know, I'm doing the Tour de France to prepare for the Vuelta (smile)! I like this race a lot and if everything goes well I hope it will continue. I'm old outside, but young inside. inside, I'm a bit like good wine. And when I see Valverde (41) winning again, I think there's still hope for guys like us..."

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