Reigning Giro d’Italia champion Primoz Roglic confirmed on Saturday he’ll exit Dutch group Jumbo-Visma on the finish of the season amid talks of a merger with Belgian outfit Soudal-Quick Step.
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“I can confirm that I’m leaving the team,” Roglic told journalists earlier than the Giro dell’Emilia biking race in Italy. He may also compete in subsequent Saturday’s Tour of Lombardy, the ultimate ‘Monument’ basic of the season.
“I’ll say after the races (in Italy) where I’ll go,” the 33-year-old Slovenian added.
Former ski jumper Roglic, the Tokyo Olympics time-trial gold medallist, is below contract with Jumbo-Visma till 2024, having joined in 2016 when the group was referred to as Lotto-Visma.
“After a memorable ride together, Team Jumbo-Visma grant Primoz Roglic the opportunity to pursue his ambitions elsewhere in the future. First, all focus will be on the upcoming Italian races,” the group mentioned in a publish on social media.
In the yellow and black jersey, Roglic gained the Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2020, three Vuelta a Espana titles in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and the Giro d’Italia this yr.
He was additionally runner-up within the 2020 Tour de France having worn the chief’s yellow jersey for eleven days.
Jumbo-Visma might merge with Soudal-Quick Step, with the supervisor of the Belgian group Patrick Lefevere confirming on Saturday discussions are underway.
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Jumbo-Visma grew to become the primary group in historical past to win three main Tours – France, Italy, Spain – this yr.
The two groups embody star riders corresponding to Dane Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner, Belgians Remco Evenepoel and Wout Van Aert, Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe and American Sepp Kuss.
Kuss gained this yr’s Vuelta forward of Jumbo teammates Vingegaard and Roglic.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
