At 37 years old, Robert Gesink has accumulated experience throughout his extensive career, collaborating with various cyclists, but his partnership with Primoz Roglic stands out. The Dutch cyclist and the Slovenian shared eight years on the Jumbo-Visma team, with Gesink playing a crucial role in supporting Roglic.
However, this year, Roglic chose to change teams, moving to BORA-hansgrohe in 2024. This transition was addressed by the veteran Dutch cyclist in an interview with RIDE Magazine.
“Primoz has won almost everything in his career, except this, the Tour de France,” Gesink said. “With his dynamism, it makes sense that he wants to give it all for another two years to win the Tour.”
“If I let the cycling enthusiast in me speak, I hope he achieves that goal. It would be a wonderful story if, after all these years with so many significant victories, he adds the Maillot Jaune.”
Roglic is one of the 4 greatest stage race cyclists in the world
Despite wishing success for his friend, Gesink acknowledges that Roglic’s departure represents a significant loss for Jumbo-Visma.
“Primoz is one of the four best riders in stage races. Our team would have liked to keep him, which is why, in the case of a successful merger with Soudal Quick-Step, they were also excited about the potential arrival of Remco Evenepoel, but that didn’t happen,” he continues.
“And yes, there is still a strong core that complements each other well. The team has already shown that it can win a Grand Tour without Primoz.”
New dynamics to win the Tour de France.
To compete with Primoz, a different dynamic will be necessary. BORA-hansgrohe also has a strong team around him. There is no other rider who knows so well what he wants and someone who can use his experience so well.
However, I am also convinced that our team will continue to rely on its own strengths and will not adapt its strategy to an opponent, even if it is Primoz. It will be an interesting summer. Cycling enthusiasts will be the biggest winners of Roglic’s transfer,” concluded Robert Gesink.