Primož Roglič: The Champion Who Wasn't Destined for Cycling
When one shattered dream gives rise to another
Primož Roglič devoted almost his entire youth to ski jumping. He was one of Slovenia’s top young prospects and became the junior world team champion in 2007. That same year, he suffered a very serious fall on the Planica ski jump. Unconscious, he was transported to the hospital by helicopter. The career he had envisioned was then seriously jeopardized. During his recovery, he discovered cycling as a way to get back into shape. In 2012, at age 22, he gave up ski jumping, sold his motorcycle, and bought a road bike. With no experience or training, he had to learn everything about this new sport from scratch.
So he starts where future champions almost never start: late, with no experience, and after having already lost his first dream.
Start Late, Win at the Highest Level
Physical tests quickly revealed his exceptional abilities. But his rise to the top isn’t based solely on his talent. Roglič works incredibly hard, learns from every race, and in just a few years has closed the gap on rivals who’ve been training since childhood.
He became one of the most well-rounded cyclists of his generation. He won the Vuelta four times, won the Giro d’Italia, became the Olympic time trial champion, and won Liège–Bastogne–Liège. His career record now stands at 91 victories.
His strength, climbing ability, explosiveness, and intelligence enable him to win on a wide variety of terrains. But his greatest talent may be a mental one: accepting what he can no longer change and channeling all his energy into what lies ahead.
The calm strength of a champion
Primož Roglič’s career has also been marked by crashes, injuries, and defeats. In 2020, he lost the Tour de France on the penultimate stage, after wearing the yellow jersey for eleven days. A few weeks later, he won Liège–Bastogne–Liège, followed by another Vuelta.
In 2023, during the decisive time trial at the Giro, his chain came off on the climb. Roglič stopped, put the chain back on, and set off again. The next day, he won the Giro.
He doesn't always have control over what happens to him, but he refuses to let an accident or a defeat determine what happens next. His motto, “No risk, no glory,” sums up this approach to racing and life: giving it your all, even when victory isn't guaranteed.
This determination is accompanied by a great sense of calm. Roglič says he wouldn’t take away any of the falls or disappointments from his journey, because they’ve taught him to know himself better. “Life’s a daily struggle, and cycling helps me with that.” Life is a daily struggle, and cycling helps him face it.
The Vuelta That Tells the Whole Story
In 2026, at age 36, Roglič is building his season around one goal: to win a fifth Vuelta and become the sole record-holder for the most victories in that race.
A few weeks before the race, he was struck by a car during training. A large bruise on his leg made it almost impossible for him to move. Even putting on his socks was a struggle. He had to replace his training with physical therapy.
Roglič has nevertheless decided to start the race in Monaco, where he lives. Starting this Vuelta at home means too much to him to give up without even trying. But he doesn’t know if his body will allow him to make it through the full three weeks.
He ultimately finished second behind Enric Mas. While this finish didn't give him the record he had hoped for, it holds special meaning for him: “Second place is like a victory for me in this case.”
Setting out without knowing if he’ll be able to finish and ultimately make it onto the podium: this Vuelta alone sums up a large part of his story.
A champion whom the public loves dearly
Primož Roglič is one of those riders who form a rare connection with the public. His impressive list of achievements commands respect, but his personality is undoubtedly the reason he is so well-liked.
His interviews are full of humor, self-deprecation, and unexpected one-liners. He doesn’t try to portray himself as a perfect hero. He accepts his weaknesses, acknowledges the value of his opponents, and remains down-to-earth despite his status. His teammates describe him as a warm, funny man who cares about others. So the public doesn’t just see a champion who wins. They also see a man who falls, doubts himself, suffers, and starts over.
With Lora, paving the way for others
This commitment to others takes on a tangible form through the Primož Roglič Foundation, which he established with his wife, Lora Roglič Klinc. The foundation works to ensure that a child’s talent or passion is not held back by a lack of resources. It donates bicycles, funds scholarships, supports races for young people, and guides their development. It also provides them with useful information on mental preparation, health, and nutrition.
Primož and Lora want to give young people a chance to discover a sport, improve, and believe in their potential. This mission adds a new dimension to Roglič’s journey. The man who saw his first dream shattered is now using his success to prevent others’ dreams from vanishing before they’ve even begun.
Much more than just a list of achievements
Primož Roglič has become a legend in a sport he wasn’t meant to play. His victories speak to his talent. His comebacks speak to his mental strength. His sense of humor, his humility, and his commitment to young people speak to who he is as a person.
His story doesn't just show how a former ski jumper won five Grand Tours. It serves as a reminder that an ending can also be a new beginning.
Primož Roglič wasn't supposed to become a cyclist. Perhaps that is precisely why his career has become one of the most extraordinary in the history of the sport.
