Extremely relaxed Roglic humiliated the competition in Emilia, without much training after the Vuelta

Primoz Roglic spectacularly claimed victory in the Giro dell'Emilia. The Slovenian from Jumbo-Visma, who will leave the killer bees team on January 1, 2024, powered away from an elite group with mighty pedal strokes. He convincingly relegated fellow countryman Tadej Pogacar to second place.

Considering that it was one of the last days of September, Saturday's weather definitely put a smile on people's faces. Roglic was also spotted at the starting line with a broad smile - which perhaps turned even broader after the finish. Pure relaxation, with time for jokes. "It feels amazing," replied the former ski jumper when asked in the flash interview on television how it feels to win the Italian autumn classic for the third time. "It's quite iconic, especially in such a race. I really love the San Luca wall. It's great when you can finish the race off there."

"Besides, it's great to win Mortadella," he joked, referring to the quite substantial prize awarded to the winner of the 1.Pro race. Kilograms of Mortadella, a type of Italian cold cut (but don't let the Italians hear that!), were handed out in vacuum-sealed packages to the top three finishers. "I dedicate this victory to my family. They always support me, both in good and bad times. They're not here, but I'm sure they're cheering for me."

Roglic feels at home on San Luca

According to Roglic, it was a particularly tough race. "On the final ascent of San Luca, I just went for it. I'm extremely happy that I had the legs to ride to victory," he concludes his analysis. After the award ceremony, he continues his interview with, among others, IDLProCycling.com, behind the podium: "This race feels a bit like home. I've won it several times before. It's nice to have the legs to finish it off."

What's the secret to the Giro dell'Emilia? Roglic laughs. "You have to suffer a lot every time you climb San Luca. I had some energy left, but you never know how much you have until you do it. Does this say anything about the Tour of Lombardy? Well, I've won this kind of race in the fall before, but I've never been really good in Lombardia. We'll see, huh! At least, this one is in the bag."

However, this website heard him say before the race that he hadn't done too much after the Vuelta a España. Maintenance, he explains afterward. "I did most of the work before the start of the Vuelta, huh. During the Vuelta, of course, I raced every day, and after that, it was a matter of maintaining the form in my legs."