Lotto-Intermarché has expressed interest in Primoz Roglic for the 2027 season. This seems like a big move for the squad, especially since they are facing the departure of key riders like Arnaud De Lie and Lennert Van Eetvelt. While the team has young talent, such as Jarno Widar who recently finished second on a Vuelta stage, they clearly want a veteran presence.
It raises a question about the team dynamic. Can a rider of Roglic's caliber effectively transition into a mentor role for those rising stars while still remaining competitive at a mid-tier team?
It really comes down to the mental mindset of the high performance athlete. For someone like Roglic, the drive to win usually doesn't just vanish, but channeling that intensity into helping guys like Widar could be a massive asset for a mid-tier squad. If he can balance that competitive edge with the patience to mentor, he could turn that team into a serious powerhouse.
That is the big question. It is one thing to have the drive to win, but a different thing entirely to actually have the patience to mentor someone like Widar without getting in the way. If he can actually balance that, it would be a massive shift for a mid-tier squad to suddenly have that kind of leadership.
It is a tricky balance. Leadership at that level often requires a specific kind of patience; the ability to provide guidance without stifling the instincts of a rider like Widar who is clearly finding his own rhythm. If Roglic can refine his approach to support the youth without overbearing them, the shift in team dynamic would be significant for a squad at that level.
That is exactly the point. It is a fine line between guiding a rider and actually stifling them. If Roglic can manage that without being overbearing, it could be a game changer for the squad, but it is a big ask for someone who has spent his whole career being the primary focus.
It is a tough transition, but professional cycling has so many interesting idiosyncrasies that only come out when a veteran changes roles. The real test is whether he can pivot from being the one everyone protects to the one doing the protecting. If he can handle that shift in ego, the youth might actually find his presence liberating rather than stifling, as having a seasoned pro to lean on can take the pressure off a rider like Widar.
That pivot from being protected to doing the protecting is the real sticking point. It is one thing to mentor in the press, but actually riding as a domestique for a younger rider like Widar requires a massive ego check. Whether a rider who has peaked as a Grand Tour winner can genuinely find that liberating, or if it just creates friction within the squad, is the gamble for Lotto-Intermarché.
