2024 Vuelta a España: Roglic’s Historic Triumph and the Race’s Biggest Winners and Losers

 2024 Vuelta a España: Analyzing the Top Winners and Disappointments

The 2024 Vuelta a España concluded, closing this year’s Grand Tour season with an intense finish. Primoz Roglic secured his fourth Vuelta title, continuing Slovenia’s dominance after Tadej Pogačar’s triumphs in the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. Roglic, now leading Red Bull – BORA – Hansgrohe, displayed a commanding performance in the final week to clinch his first Grand Tour victory with his new team. In Madrid, however, it was Stefan Küng who captured the spotlight, claiming his first Grand Tour stage win by defeating Roglic in the final time trial by over 30 seconds.

Roglic’s win places him in the history books alongside Roberto Heras, the only other cyclist with four Vuelta titles. Heras, a Spanish cycling icon, dominated the race in the early 2000s, winning in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2005. Like Heras, Roglic is known for his climbing abilities and consistent performances over three weeks of racing.

While Roglic’s victory was the headline, the 2024 Vuelta saw several standout performances and disappointments. Here’s a breakdown of three winners and three losers from this year’s race.

Winners:
1. Ben O’Connor:
Ben O’Connor delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s Vuelta. Holding the red jersey from stages 16 to 19 after a stunning stage 5 breakaway win, he secured his first Grand Tour podium despite losing the overall title. O’Connor’s steady career progress has culminated in this milestone achievement, showing immense determination during the race’s brutal final week.

2. Jay Vine:
Jay Vine overcame significant setbacks to make a remarkable comeback at the Vuelta. Recovering from serious neck injuries sustained earlier in the year, Vine not only completed the race but also claimed the mountains jersey after Wout van Aert’s withdrawal. His resilience and determination led to a memorable achievement.

3. Mattias Skjelmose:
Mattias Skjelmose wrapped up the Vuelta with an impressive 8th place finish in the final time trial. Despite a challenging start, the Lidl-Trek rider climbed the leaderboard to finish in the top five and earned the white jersey as the best young rider. At just 23 years old, Skjelmose has established himself as a future Grand Tour contender.

Losers:
1. **João Almeida:**
João Almeida began the Vuelta with high expectations, looking like a strong contender for the overall victory during the first week. However, his race took a turn for the worse on stage 8 when he lost significant time and later tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to abandon the race. Almeida’s season now hinges on upcoming races like the World Championships and Il Lombardia.

2. Team Visma Lease a Bike:
After their triumphant 2023 Vuelta, Visma Lease a Bike’s fortunes plummeted this year. Wout van Aert’s crash and subsequent withdrawal dashed their hopes of winning any jerseys, and defending champion Sepp Kuss finished 14th overall, far behind Roglic. The team’s disappointing performance highlighted their fall from the pinnacle of the sport.

3. INEOS Grenadiers:
INEOS Grenadiers, once a dominant force in cycling, had a Vuelta to forget. Failing to win a single stage for the second consecutive Grand Tour, the team’s top rider, Carlos Rodríguez, only managed a 10th-place finish. The team’s ongoing decline suggests a need for a strategic overhaul if they hope to regain their former glory.

In conclusion, while Primoz Roglic’s historic victory stands out, the 2024 Vuelta a España also featured remarkable stories of success and setbacks. Ben O’Connor’s breakthrough, Jay Vine’s inspiring recovery, and Mattias Skjelmose’s rise as a future star were key highlights. Conversely, João Almeida’s misfortune, Visma Lease a Bike’s struggles, and INEOS Grenadiers’ decline underscored the challenges of Grand Tour racing. As the 2024 season winds down, the cycling world now looks forward to new rivalries and moments in 2025.