Primož Roglič might be a former-ski jumper, but the Jumbo-Visma rider says that he does not enjoy snow when he's on his bike, with bad weather forecast for Paris-Nice's ascent of the Col de Turini.
The Slovenian leads the general classification ahead of the final weekend, keeping control of the race on a testing stage six.
On Saturday, the peloton will climb the Col de Turini, where freezing rain and possibly even snow are forecast. The queen stage might therefore be affected by the weather, with reports earlier in the week that it might need to be re-routed.
Speaking after he stepped down from the podium, Roglič said "I love snow for sure, but not when I'm riding a bike. I do other things on the snow, I prefer now sun and warmth when I'm riding the bike."
Later at the press conference, he expanded: "No one really likes to ride in the snow in the bike... Going up should be manageable. It will be super cold, super hard, but it's the queen stage, a mountain top finish, so hopefully I will have the legs."
His teammate Wout van Aert came close to winning yet another stage on Friday, finishing third behind Mads Pedersen of Trek-Segafredo and Mathieu Burgaudeau of TotalEnergies.
Roglič described the day as "really hard". Riders raced into a headwind almost all day, heading southeast, and came in just ahead of the race organiser's slowest recorded time; they averaged 38.5km/h.
"Yeah today was really hard, going with the wind all day" he said. "It's the beginning of the season, every day here is hard racing. Again today it was really windy, super uncomfortable. One less, tomorrow is the big one. Hopefully I have the legs to go with the best ones."
Last year Roglič lead Paris-Nice from stage four but ended up finishing 15th overall after crashing on the final day of the race. He will be hoping for better fortune in the final days of this year's edition.
"I don't really think about [winning]," the Slovenian explained after Friday's stage. "I'll do my best, and it's all I can do."
As for tomorrow: "I expect full gas racing, hopefully I will have the legs to be with the best ones. The climb itself is super hard."
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
From false promises and heartbreak to hope - How Heidi Franz is bouncing back from the last-minute collapse of B&B Hotels
Mind games, false promises and a life left in limbo. How American Heidi Franz navigated the B&B Hotels demise and found a kickstart to her new European life
-
Volta a la Communitat Valenciana: Biniam Girmay takes stage one sprint
It's another one in the bag for Intermarché-Circus-Wanty after Challenge Mallorca success
-
From the World Championships to Paris-Roubaix: Cycling Weekly's wins of 2022
It is hard to look past Annemiek van Vleuten, but we tried, so here is the best win of the year, plus nine more
-
Primož Roglič says rehabilitation from shoulder surgery ‘going as planned’ ahead of 2023 season
Slovenian had surgery in October in attempt to fix repeated shoulder dislocations ahead of new season
-
No Matej Mohorič or Primož Roglič in Slovenia World Championships squad
Roglič ruled out through injury and Milan-San Remo winner Mohorič also out
-
Bahrain Victorious 'stands by' Fred Wright after Primož Roglič blames him for Vuelta a España ending crash
Jumbo-Visma star says Wright “rode the handlebars out of my hands”
-
Five talking points from week two of the Vuelta a España
Roglič is alive and kicking, Carapaz is back in form and Pedersen stamps his authority in green
-
'I didn’t have the legs': Primož Roglič looks fallible at the Vuelta a España
The defending champion went from being the virtual leader to trailing his rivals on stage six
-
Vuelta a España 2022: Five climbs to get excited about at this year’s race
Five climbs that could bring the drama at the final Grand Tour of the season
-
Vuelta a España 2022: Five stages you need to watch at this year's final Grand Tour
Five stages that could shake up the general classification at the third Grand Tour of the season
