Roglic: "I couldn't push anymore"

Special envoy to La Planche des Belles Filles,

Since the arrival of the 9th stage, in Laruns, Primoz Roglic wore the yellow jersey and seemed to be heading towards final victory in the Tour de France.

There was still one obstacle… Hurricane Tadej Pogacar, winner of the time trial at the top of La Planche des Belles Filles, overturned the Tour.

Primoz Roglic (5th in qualifying, 1'56 '' behind Pogacar) leaves his young compatriot in yellow.

Rejected in 2nd place (at 59 ''), still groggy, he says: “I didn't have the best day.

Tadej had a much better one than me.

It was a different world for me.

He deserves his victory.

Congratulations to him.

I gave everything I had.

That's all… I'm very disappointed but I can be proud of my 2nd place. ”

And to insist: “I fought on every meter of the course until the finish.

I tried to give 110% of what I had… I hoped he too would have a harder time.

I was pushing myself to the limit the whole way but I ended up very far from him. ”

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Describing the end of the time trial, Primoz Roglic delivers: “I knew what was going on but I couldn't push anymore.

I was fighting against myself for every meter to get to the top. ”

Embarrassed by his helmet, not comfortable on his bike, feverish (he changed his bike much later than Pogacar), Primoz Roglic ensures, thinking of the efforts made by the Jumbo-Visma team throughout 'a controlled Tour: “I struggled with everything.

I didn't have enough power.

I'm sorry for all the guys on the team.

I fought my best every day.

I am proud of them and their performance and the show offered for three weeks. "

"My wish ?

To be better and faster, but it makes me think when I have a clear mind ”

Primoz Roglic

Asked about his future, about his return to the Tour, he says: “I don't have a clear plan yet.

I don't really have things in mind, I'm disappointed but I gave everything.

I thank the Slovenian spectators, they push to do things well.

The whole preparation period was intense with the altitude camps, the Tour de l'Ain, the fall on the Dauphiné, I want to take some time, analyze, see what I'm going to do.

My wish ?

To be better and faster but it makes me think when I have a clear mind. "

Before welcoming Tadej Pogacar again: “He is extremely talented, we knew it.

If he continues like this, he will be the rider for the next few years. "

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