Primož Roglič to return to racing at Tirreno-Adriatico 'without pressure'
The Jumbo-Visma rider hasn't competed since abandoning last year's Vuelta a España
![Primoz Roglic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RqPydPxsq4usQiGY4VtYTi-415-80.jpg)
Three-time Vuelta a España winner Primož Roglič will begin his season at Tirreno-Adriatico next week in preparation for his GC bid at the Giro d’Italia.
The Slovenian was not originally down to compete in the week-long Italian stage race, and was only intending on riding the Volta a Catalunya before the Giro as he recovers from a major shoulder operation.
Announcing Roglič's Tirreno-Adriatico participation on Twitter, Jumbo-Visma sports director Merijn Zeeman said: “He worked hard and is ready for it. Racing is the next step in the buildup towards his goals. He will start without pressure or results in mind.”
The 33-year-old will be joined by six of his Jumbo-Visma team-mates at the race: Wout van Aert, Wilco Kelderman, Koen Bouwman, Attila Valter, and Opening Weekend winners Tiesj Benoot and Dylan van Baarle.
Last October, Roglič underwent a bone graft procedure on his left shoulder, which had been dislocated a number of times in crashes. The surgery was successful and he spent the ensuing two months with his arm in a sling.
🇮🇹 #TirrenoAdriaticoLook who’s there! Primoz is in our line-up for Tirreno-Adriatico! pic.twitter.com/cEoudGUjyYMarch 3, 2023
Roglič has not raced since abandoning the Vuelta a España last September, but travelled to Tenerife, Spain earlier this year to train.
Now, he says he has “no problems” with his shoulder. Speaking to Slovenian national broadcaster RTV last month, the Jumbo-Visma rider said: “It’s working as it should, everything is good, and I’m healthy. I’m well on my way back to training with everyone else.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
After the Volta a Catalunya, Roglič is planning to take part in another long training camp, where he will work on his time trialling ahead of the Giro d’Italia. The race will feature three stages against the clock, adding up to more than 70 kilometres.
“After my operation, it was a little more difficult for me to sit on the TT bike because I have an extreme position,” he said. “Now I can do it normally. Ahead of the Giro, I will devote as much time as possible to [training on it].”
Tirreno-Adriatico begins on Monday 6 March with a short individual time trial in Lido di Camaoire. In the absence of reigning champion Tadej Pogačar, who has opted for Paris-Nice, the favourites to win the race's golden trident include former Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas, Vuelta a España runner-up Enric Mas and Bahrain Victorious's Mikel Landa.
Thank you for reading 20 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
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
Ellen van Dijk 'can't unclip from pedals' after breaking ankle, but will still race Olympic time trial
'Walking is more difficult than cycling,' said Dutchwoman who fractured ankle six weeks ago
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Wout van Aert spotted training with front disc ahead of Paris Olympics time trial
They're almost never used outside, but can make the difference between winning and losing
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Primož Roglič reveals he suffered back fracture in Tour de France crash
Slovenian abandoned race after being caught up in crash on stage 12, Vuelta a España participation now in doubt
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It's terrible': The curse of Primož Roglič strikes again at the Tour de France
The Slovenian's hopes of winning yellow appear over, yet again
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Remco Evenepoel struggles for form in the mountains as Primož Roglič affirms Tour de France favourite status
'The shape is just not there' says Soudal - Quick-Step leader, while Roglič on track for Tour success after two stage wins at Critérium du Dauphiné
By Dan Challis Published
-
Primož Roglič victorious in brutal Critérium du Dauphiné queen stage
Bora-Hansgrohe leader sprints to win atop Samoëns 1600 ahead of Matteo Jorgensen and Giulio Ciccone
By Dan Challis Published
-
Primož Roglič blitzes his rivals to win stage six of Critérium du Dauphiné and take over the race lead
Slovenian outsprinted Giulio Ciccone in the final kilometre of the summit finish at Le Collet d'Allevard to take over the yellow jersey from Remco Evenepoel
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
New team philosophy, no foreign investment and Red Bull helmets: Inside the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe deal
Team CEO Ralph Denk says further big money signings, similarly to Primož Roglič, are unlikely as Red Bull money gives German team wings
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Primož Roglič to miss Liège-Bastogne-Liège in order to recover for Tour de France
Slovenian was caught up in the horror crash on stage four of Itzulia Basque country
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard, Primož Roglič and Remco Evenepoel caught up in huge crash at Itzulia Basque Country
Race neutralised as horror crash sees three of the favourites caught up in incident
By Adam Becket Published