Primož Roglič
Who was Primož Roglič?
Slovenian professional cyclist who has won the Vuelta a España three times (2019, 2020, 2021) after transitioning from ski jumping.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Primož Roglič (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Primož Roglič was born on 29 October 1989 in Trbovlje, Slovenia. He first gained attention as a ski jumper, representing Slovenia at the junior level and competing internationally. His ski jumping career ended suddenly after an accident at Planica, one of Slovenia's well-known ski jumping venues, which led him to switch his focus to road cycling. This change, which he embraced around 2012, was unusual since most professional cyclists start their careers in their teens.
Even though he became a professional cyclist at the relatively late age of 23, Roglič quickly rose through the competitive cycling ranks. He became particularly strong in time trials, where his explosive power and aerodynamic efficiency made a difference. His climbing skills also stood out, allowing him to compete at the highest level in multi-day stage races and Grand Tours. He currently rides for the UCI WorldTeam Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe.
Roglič has won five Grand Tours in total. He tied the record by winning the Vuelta a España four times, in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024, becoming the most successful rider in that race's modern era. He also won the Giro d'Italia in 2023. He was the first Slovenian to win either of those Grand Tours. At the 2020 Tour de France, he famously wore the yellow jersey and was the first Slovenian to do so, before losing the overall victory to his fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogačar in one of the most dramatic final time trials in the race's history.
Beyond Grand Tours, Roglič has shone in one-day classics and shorter stage races. In 2020, he won Liège–Bastogne–Liège, one of cycling's five monuments, marking a significant one-day victory. That same year, his outstanding performances earned him the Vélo d'Or, awarded annually to the season's top cyclist. In 2021, he won an Olympic gold medal in the men's individual time trial at the Tokyo Games, securing Slovenia's first cycling Olympic medal. Between 2019 and 2021, he held the UCI Men's road racing world number one ranking for 75 weeks, a record at the time, and finished as the year-end top-ranked rider twice.
Roglič has received many honors for his achievements, including the Bloudek badge, one of Slovenia's highest sports awards, and the Golden Order of Merit in 2021, a state decoration from Slovenia. His career has made him one of the most decorated cyclists of his generation and a key figure in Slovenian sports.
Before Fame
Roglič grew up in Trbovlje, a town in central Slovenia known for its strong ski jumping tradition. He got into the sport seriously from a young age and moved up to the competitive junior and senior levels. Ski jumping is a big part of Slovenian culture, and Planica, where he suffered a career-ending accident, is the most famous venue for the sport in the country.
After his injury at Planica, Roglič switched to cycling to stay active. He started racing at an amateur level around 2012 and quickly showed talent, even though he had little experience in the sport. His ski jumping background, which required physical fitness, balance, and mental strength, is often seen as a key factor in his fast progress as a cyclist.
Key Achievements
- Four-time winner of the Vuelta a España (2019, 2020, 2021, 2024), tying the all-time record
- Winner of the Giro d'Italia (2023)
- Olympic gold medalist in the men's individual time trial at the Tokyo 2020 Games
- Vélo d'Or recipient in 2020, recognizing the season's outstanding cyclist
- Held the UCI Men's road racing world number one ranking for 75 consecutive weeks between 2019 and 2021
Did You Know?
- 01.Roglič did not turn professional as a cyclist until age 23, far later than most elite riders who typically begin their careers in their mid-to-late teens.
- 02.His ski jumping career ended after an accident at Planica, the same venue in Slovenia famous for hosting world record ski jumps.
- 03.At the 2020 Tour de France, he entered the final individual time trial with an 57-second overall lead, only to lose the race to Tadej Pogačar, who was also Slovenian.
- 04.He won the Vuelta a España four times, tying the all-time record for victories in that race.
- 05.His Olympic gold medal in the men's time trial at the 2021 Tokyo Games was the first cycling Olympic medal ever won by Slovenia.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bloudek badge | — | — |
| Vélo d'Or | 2020 | — |
| Golden Order of Merit | 2021 | — |