After plenty of rumours, Slovenian superstar Primož Roglič is leaving Jumbo-Visma to join BORA-Hansgrohe. The announcement was made by German team boss Ralph Denk at a specially convened press conference this morning. The 2023 Giro d’Italia winner departs the Dutch outfit after eight years, cutting short his ongoing contract with the team.
Financial details surrounding the move are substantial, to say the least. According to insiders, Roglič comes with a hefty buyout clause from Jumbo-Visma. The team reportedly asked for €3 million to release the cyclist from his existing contract, which was set to last for another two years. Additionally, Roglič himself has set his salary requirements at a robust €5.5 million for the next two seasons. Such figures are a testament to his exceptional value and skill set within the peloton.
The objective for Roglič at his new home is clear-cut: he’s got his eyes firmly set on the Tour de France for 2024 and 2025. Ironically, this is the one Grand Tour that has so far eluded him. While he has proven his mettle in the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, the Tour de France remains a missing piece in his impressive career jigsaw.
This strategic move raises important questions not only for Roglič but also for the teams involved. For Jumbo-Visma, this transfer entails the loss of a star performer. Although they have a worthy contender in Jonas Vingegaard, it’s indisputable that Roglič’s exit creates a vacuum. This might also indicate a refocusing of the team’s strategy, given that Vingegaard has two Tour de France titles under his belt and aims for a third.
On the other hand, BORA-Hansgrohe is gaining an athlete of immense capability. Roglič’s ambition to conquer the Tour de France could well be the shot in the arm the German team needs to elevate its Grand Tour aspirations. The team will be expecting immediate results, given the hefty financial investment involved.
As we await the unfolding of this dramatic chapter, one thing is certain: the cycling world has been jolted by this multi-million transfer and the ongoing team merger talks.
