Abandoned By 3 Teammates Due to Illness, He is unaffected- Primoz Roglic Closes In On Victory After Trouble-Free Final Mountain Stage

Primož Roglič Nears Vuelta a España Victory After Smooth Final Mountain Stage

Despite the loss of three teammates due to illness, Primož Roglič remains unfazed as he inches closer to victory in the Vuelta a España. The Slovenian rider, now comfortably wearing the red jersey, continues to approach the race with caution, stating, “It’s not over yet.” However, after navigating the final mountain stage without incident, it appears that the finish line in Madrid is well within reach.

Unless a major setback occurs during the final 24.6-kilometer individual time trial in Madrid, Roglič is poised to secure his record-tying fourth overall victory in the Vuelta and a fifth Grand Tour title in just six years. While he opted not to push his rivals on the punishing slopes of the Picón Blanco, he managed to keep them under control. His main contender, Ben O’Connor, remains 2:02 behind him, despite a slight time loss to Enric Mas.

Roglič’s performance demonstrated resilience, even as his team suffered from illness-related withdrawals. Three of his teammates fell ill, but Roglič maintained his focus, stating, “Now I just have to finish it off.” His prudent approach to the race, coupled with a consistent performance, has kept him in the lead as he heads toward the final stage.

Although Roglič acknowledged that the battle isn’t fully won, he expressed confidence in his position, noting that it’s better to be leading by two minutes than trailing by five. Reflecting on previous setbacks, such as O’Connor’s five-minute lead after stage 6, Roglič is determined to remain vigilant until the race concludes.

The final mountain stage was challenging, with Roglič opting for a conservative strategy. As his rivals focused on fighting each other for the stage win, Roglič held back, shadowing them to the summit of Picón Blanco. After the race, he admitted the climb was tough but was pleased with his overall performance.

While the illness within his team affected several riders, Roglič remained unaffected and relied on the strong efforts of his remaining teammates. Despite the challenges, his team, particularly Roger Adria, Giovanni Aleotti, and Florian Lipowitz, proved capable of supporting him during the final kilometers. Roglič took control from there, handling any challenges with apparent ease.

Looking ahead to the final time trial, Roglič remains focused on finishing strong. Although he hasn’t scouted the course in detail, he is preparing for one last effort in Madrid. Given his recent success in closing out Grand Tours with time trials, including victories in the 2021 Vuelta and 2023 Giro d’Italia, Roglič is in a strong position to secure another overall win. Sunday’s final stage of the Vuelta a España is expected to follow suit, with Roglič on track for yet another Grand Tour triumph.