I expect this to be a long post; will try keep interesting and insightful.
Until 5 years ago I had never watched a professional cycling race. I did not know the rules and I did not understand the sport. Then I met Primoz Roglic and everything changed. A cycling champion, a leadership icon. I have watched many cycle races since, now I understand the rules and tactics well.
Cycling is a team sport, especially in the competition of GC category (general classification) where the rider that reaches the end of the race in the shortest accumulative time wins; whether a 1-day, 7 day or 3-week tour. Teams compromise 8 cyclists. 1 rider is selected to win, maybe a backup as well; a rider that excels in all terrains and in the individual time trials. Specialist sprinters are bigger and lose too much time in the mountain stages. Other team members support the chosen rider to have the best chance of winning, riding to give him wind shield, close by to swop bikes in the event of a technical problem and carrying food and drinks. The leader conserves energy, then takes over and closes out in every critical moment.
Cycling a 3 weeklong tour (or 7-day race) is like fighting a war. You must be patient but vigilant every moment of every day. You don’t chase breakaways unless there is a GC threat upfront, you conserve energy for the war even if it means losing battles, giving up on stage wins.
So, what is the connection between cycling and leadership?
First takeaway, gain competence in something and your level of interest, passion and energy takes off (me understanding cycling). Some say do in life what you are passionate about. Yes, but even better is when you have success and passion finds you. Why? Chasing your passion often results in starting a business in what was your hobby. My experiences, it is better keeping your hobby a hobby because few make a living wage in expanding hobbies into a viable business. I have the scars of this learning.
Primoz Roglic is not only a great cyclist, but he is an impeccable leader. He came to cycling late after being forced to give up ski jumping following a serious fall and injury. He never gave up pursuing excellence in sport! He persisted.
Listen to his podium speeches; he puts the team before his own successes. He understands the value of an inspired team. Every word spoken are words of humility, genuineness, and authenticity. Trust cannot be bought.
Primoz has had many falls in cycling, falls at key moments where he was leading races. He never complained, he always came back; he understands the risks of cycling. He won the Giro this year in the most dramatic finale and in front of thousands of home supporters. He nearly lost on the last day of the race, a steep uphill individual time trial (every rider rides individually) when his chain came off. He put in on and continued despite losing valuable seconds. No drama. In post-race interviews he did not make a big deal out of the chain episode, saying that stuff like that happens in cycling.
Reading some of Primoz’s social media, I recall a comment, work hard at something, and see what might happen. He works hard, he has discipline, he never sees a problem on the outside, he starts every race with a clear goal of the end in mind.
Losing the yellow jersey (leaders jersey) on the last race day of the 2020 Tour de France was a pivotal moment in his career. So, we thought. We watched that day, my birthday; I was devastated. When I saw how Primoz carried himself after the race, and the following day in the “processionary” ride, I was disappointed in my behaviour, a fan seemingly more impacted than Primoz himself. He demonstrated exemplary leadership, carrying himself like the true champion he is, in a moment of huge disappointment.
We thought Primoz would not come back from that event. He went on to win Gold at the Olympics, the La Vuelta in Spain and now the Giro in Italy, all events that compare to the majors in golf and tennis. Plus, other 7-day races. How could we doubt such a leader?
I had the pleasure and fortune to mentor a senior manager (Martin), a natural leader. We had many “deep” discussions about upcoming races. Instinctively conversations focused on the leadership and the mindset of Primoz, never his form. Prior the Giro 2023 Martin said Primoz is in a good place to win. Martin’s reasoning was that Slovene compatriot Jan Tratnik was in the same team. Martin gave significant value to having authentic and genuine friend support over a 3-week race period. The soft aspects important to leadership come naturally to born leaders. It turned out that a car rode into Jan Tratnik the day before the start of the Giro☹ and he was a non-starter..
The world no.1, Tadej Pogacar is also Slovene. 10 years younger than Primoz. Tadej is an animal on a bicycle but does not command the presence that Primoz does. Tadej is much younger, he has not fully developed the primary greatness of character. Over time he should develop an inner security outside of cycling that gives him guidance, wisdom, and the power to act. Tadej’s following is mostly the younger generation who do not yet appreciate the values of leadership, whereas Primoz’s following are older and value his humility and genuineness, giving him a massive presence.
Cycling is a sport packed with many riders that display incredible team and leadership traits. Listen to the message of most podium interviews, or interviews of losers, and see for yourself. It is a sport about overall race strategy and day plans. It is a sport of many unforeseen disasters that require quick strategic decisions. If you make a mistake, make it fast and get on. Cycling is a competition against other teams and a cooperation within teams.
I will close with a personal event that reinforces yet again what a unique leader Primoz is, on and off the bicycle. He rented our apartment for about 4 years (featured image), more as a storage base😊. One day he called from Monaco to say that he was planning to move, saying that he wanted to call me rather than sending an email. Primoz knows what matters and he focuses on what matters. Period.
The character of Primoz communicates far more eloquently than anything he says and does.
(update 1/2024) Tadej Pogacar’s was phenomenal in 2023. From my perception of his arrogance in 2022 I am now a fan of his attitude and authenticity. Either I misjudged him or he matured into greatness.
Think Bigg-r 