Božič worked as a directeur sportif for the Bahrain–Merida team up to October 2019[2] but in that month was issued with a 2-year ban for his links to the doping ring uncovered by Operation Aderlass.

Božič's most successful season to date was 2009, his first with Vacansoleil, which he finished by taking third place in the Paris–Tours classic behind winner Philippe Gilbert and runner-up Tom Boonen.

Božič escaped with the two Belgians with 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) to go, at the base of the Côte de l'Epan after an attack from Gilbert's teammate Greg Van Avermaet.

He started the fourth stage as leader of the general classification, but lost over 20 minutes to eventual race winner Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis).

Božič's next result of merit was a 12th-place in the 204-kilometre (127-mile) East Flanders classic, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, where he arrived in the first chase group, 18 seconds in arrears of eventual race winner Juan Antonio Flecha (Team Sky).

There, Božič crossed the finish line in tears after having countered a daring move by his Italian teammate Marco Marcato in the final kilometre,[8] winning ahead of Spain's Óscar Freire, with the Slovak Peter Sagan of Liquigas–Cannondale in third.

"[9] Božič's win gave added impetus to his push for a coveted spot on Vacansoleil's Tour de France roster, and he ultimately made his first start at the race, taking four top-ten stage finishes.