Primož Roglič’s dense palmares and sensible week-long stage racing observe file imply he’s inevitably one of many high favourites on the Volta a Catalunya. But because the race gears as much as hit the excessive mountains on Wednesday, his crew are staying resolutely relaxed about his choices for fulfillment.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe crew supervisor Ralph Denk advised Cyclingnews that Roglič has already proven strongly sufficient on stage 1 to boost their hopes a few stable climbing efficiency.
However, given the fast-looming Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double, in addition to Roglič’s near-complete dearth of racing in 2025 – to date this yr he is solely taken half within the Volta ao Algarve earlier than Catalunya – there is not any sense of the Volta being a crunch race for the Slovenian.
Even if two necessary parts of their possible Giro d’Italia lineup, 2022 winner Jai Hindley and 2024 runner-up Dani Martínez, are lacking within the Volta a Catalunya, the race is appearing as a key element for May in one other approach. The week-long WorldTour race offers a ‘reside’ setting, too, for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe to hold out important behind-the-scenes crew constructing work for biking’s first Grand Tour, and past.
“Stage 3 is the primary massive day of the Volta, a extremely powerful mountain stage and I feel each contender right here will go deep,” Denk advised Cyclingnews earlier than stage 2.
“It’s the primary alternative to make a distinction on GC and from what I noticed yesterday [Monday] from Primož and what I heard from him, what he reported, he feels good.”
“He is aware of the stage, la Molina is within the Volta yearly, so let’s have a look at. But we’re fairly optimistic.”
The newest race content material, interviews, options, opinions and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
La Molina is a really well-known ascent, and Roglič was narrowly defeated there by Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) in 2023, however he remained accountable for the result in declare the general victory in 2023. However, a number of different sports activities administrators and crew employees identified to Cyclingnews that the more durable build-up to La Molina, on a stage with 5,000 metres of vertical climbing, together with the 20-kilometre Col de la Creuta, will make for a a lot harder day than common.
“Endurance is necessary, particularly tomorrow, however I’m not nervous that Primož may need an issue about that,” Denk stated confidently, earlier than including, “Maybe the other is true, perhaps it [the tougher course] even fits him a bit higher.”
While the Volta is clearly an necessary objective, Denk says they’ve additionally opted for a a lot lighter racing schedule within the first half of 2025 to make sure Roglič shall be in the absolute best situation come the summer time and a program of two Grand Tours back-to-back.
“We have a unique method right here, that is why we’re racing lower than some years in the past,” Denk defined to Cyclingnews. “Because if the plans work, then the Giro and the Tour shall be for Primož and that is why we’re not burdened if he isn’t on the highest stage tomorrow. We’re fairly relaxed.”
“Also name-wise, Primož is certainly the reference level for the Volta, however you may see in fashionable biking there are loads of younger youngsters arising, even yesterday,” Denk identified with a smile, referring to stage 1’s victory by 19-year-old Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike).
Beyond the ultimate outcomes come Sunday in Montjuic Park in Barcelona, Denk recognised that the Volta supplied a wonderful state of affairs for team-building work, even when Hindley and Martínez weren’t current. “Definitely it is a good alternative to race collectively to be taught from one another and create belief. Tomorrow, too, I’ll have extra of an thought [about Roglič’s own performance.”
As for the Australian and Colombian and the Giro, Denk said that “our main goal is to bring Dani and Jai in the best shape possible to the Giro since the whole cycling world already knows what they can do [achieve].”
“If Dani is in good condition and Jai is in tremendous form, then I’ll be relaxed, and the whole lot else will fall into place by itself.”
And as for the present situation of Red Bull’s crew chief for the Giro d’Italia, that may turn into so much clearer within the Volta a Catalunya mountain phases: in different phrases – extraordinarily quickly.