Many times he ended up on the ground, suffered painful falls, injuries, but - year after year - he refused to give up. He would always get up and be even stronger, he would always find a way to victory - both during his career in ski jumping, and even more so when he switched to cycling.
It's an unreal story Primož Roglič, unusual, cinematic, inspiring for all young people who are starting to do sports - the "Zasavian Eagle" who as a junior with Slovenia was the world team champion in ski jumping on Sunday was once again crowned in Madrid.
It was his fourth Vuelta victory, and his fifth Grand Tour title, as he also triumphed at the Giro d'Italia last year. And, all after he arrived in hot Spain insufficiently recovered after a fall at the Tour d'France.
His defiance of injuries and his desire to make his Slovenians happy regardless of the pain made him a legend in his homeland, the most loved athlete in the country and the most popular along with Port of Dončić - although this sports country has i Tadej Pogačar, world class, one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
From Planica to the women's bicycle
The fact that Roglič was a talented ski jumper best describes the kind of sportsman and athlete he is. As a very young man, with skis over his shoulders, he climbed Planica many times, and then he would fly fearlessly towards victories.
That love brought him the mentioned junior title, but also many falls - after one terrible one on the famous Slovenian ski jump, it was logical for many to give up this sport.
But not for him.
He jumped for a few more years, and then he fell in love with another sport - the one that will make him famous, where he will be among the legends.
- He borrowed a women's bike and went to one of the recreational races. He did not win, but a story unique in world sports began. He bought his first bike when he sold his motorcycle, and then he had to convince a team to give him a chance - he said in an earlier interview for "Vijesti" Anze Bašelj - a journalist from RTV Slovenia who has been in charge of cycling on state television for years.
He didn't get the opportunity very easily, but when it came - he grabbed it, as only he knows how, like a champion.
Unprecedented progress in just three years
The Slovenian team Adria mobil decided to give him a chance in 2013 after he was not satisfied with the Ljubljana team ROG - just three years later he was the winner of the stage on Đir, and the very next one of the stages of the Tour d'France was his.
- The victory at the Giro was in his style, considering that he was a rookie - there were many problems and inconveniences, but he overcame them with incredible will and fighting spirit and won - said Bašelj.
Even then it was clear that switching to cycling was the right move, and then the crowns from the biggest cycling races started to arrive.
Pogačar's idol
He won the first Vuelta in 2019, followed by three more. He also has a trophy from Điro, but the Tour remains an unfulfilled dream, even though he was one step away from triumph in 2020.
Then, in the last time trial, the young Slovenian ace Tadej Pogačar surprised him and practically "stole" the victory from the man he always looked up to as an idol.
- Roglič came to this sport very late, even from another sport, and with his rise to the top he became Pogačar's role model. That's why the story of the Tour d'France 2020 is so special, the one that will forever remain in Slovenian collective memory - emphasized Bašelj.
Many share the opinion that Roglič's time for triumph in France has passed, but everyone also knows that the champion who got up stronger after every fall should never be written off.
He may not have flown from his Planica to the heights of skiing, but he is right among the cycling legends - the unique Primož Roglič.
Slovenian Grand Tour
With his triumph at the Vuelta, Primož Roglič completed an incredible year for Slovenian cycling.
Namely, all three biggest races were dotted with the colors of this country.
Tadej Pogačar was in charge of winning the Giro d'Italia and the Tour d'France, while "Rogla" rounded off the dominance of this small Alpine country in grand tour races by crowning him at the Vuelta.
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