Should Primož Roglič have gifted Paris-Nice stage to Gino Mäder? Both riders have their say
Roglič overtook the young Swiss rider in the final few metres to claim his third stage victory of the race

Many fans were heartbroken watching Gino Mäder get caught in the final few metres of stage seven at Paris-Nice, Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) surging past to take his third stage of the race as he closes in on the overall victory, but it likely pales in comparison with how the 24-year-old Swiss and his Bahrain-Victorious team were feeling.
The finale also led to the question - should Roglič have let Mäder win?
"My team worked hard all day and I saw an opportunity to win, so I thought: why not?" Roglič said after the stage, a position backed up by his team-mate Jos van Emden.
"So you think I work my ass off so he can give presents?" the Dutchman said. "I never got a TT victory as a present after having the fastest intermediate time.
>>> Dr Richard Freeman speaks out: ‘I am not a doping doctor’
"Feeling for the rider who comes second is different from blaming the winner. I damn know what a second place means, have a look at how many times I got second and I don't blame anyone."
Mäder was in agreement, more concerned with his own performance than the fact he was beaten.
"It's an easy scenario. First over the line wins. I just need to get there faster," Mäder said. "Nothing was believed [to be] safe...for three seconds I thought it could be something. Then my legs fell asleep and Roglič passed me like an airplane...chapeau Roglič.
"But a win is only really nice if you were the strongest. A free win would never feel right. It's part of the business. See the good of it and use it as motivation."
2013 Vuelta a España winner Chris Horner had another view, saying that regardless of whether it was right for Roglič to gift the win, it would have been in his interest to do so, creating a favour that could be cashed in further down the road, especially with Roglič's main goal this season being the Tour de France in July.
"Ugly win in my book," the American said. "This is his third win at Paris-Nice, I know some people at home will be like 'a win's a win, you've got to go out there and get everything' guys...that's not how it works in the professional peloton. You want friends, bad things can happen to you at any moment."
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
The David Guetta of the peloton? Analysing Pieter Serry's Giro d'Italia playlist
We listened to Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl's playlist so you didn't have to
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Caleb Ewan's struggles continue at 'Giro d'Italia from hell'
The Australian rider seemed dejected on Instagram after finishing over 30 minutes on stage ten
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Paris-Sneeze: The tale of a Race to the Sun struck by illness
More than half of peloton abandoned the race over the course of eight days
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Fred Wright confident of soon taking maiden pro win after impressive start to 2022
The Londoner put in a stellar performance at Paris-Nice last week and now heads into his Classics campaign stronger than ever
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Five things we learned from Paris-Nice 2022
The Race to the Sun provided another thrilling edition that was dominated by Jumbo-Visma
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Simon Yates wins final stage eight as Primož Roglič seals Paris-Nice title
The Brit soloed to the finish, staving off the pursuit of Roglič and Wout van Aert
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Primož Roglič: Wout van Aert is 'half human, half motor'
Slovenian pays credit to Jumbo-Visma teammate after his efforts to help him win Paris-Nice
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'If you don't try then you never know': Simon Yates after final day win at Paris-Nice
BikeExchange-Jayco rider attacked on Col d'Èze to take stage eight and seal second overall
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'It's just fast all day': Ethan Hayter on his first WorldTour stage race
The British time trial champion helped his team leaders at Paris-Nice, but also impressed on the time trial
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Primož Roglič wins stage seven summit finish to solidify Paris-Nice lead
The Slovenian sprinted to victory after a GC battle up the Col de Turini
By Jonny Long • Published