Hit by a Car Pre-Vuelta, Roglič GC Dreams Revive

Two years ago he took a record-equaling fourth Vuelta title. Since then, Primož Roglič has dreamed of setting a new all-time best of five.

The Slovenian missed last year’s race and his chances of winning this year took a blow when Tadej Pogačar confirmed he would return to the race.

But, with Pogačar now gone due to injury and with a strong third place on the biggest mountain stage to date, things suddenly changed for Roglic on Sunday afternoon.

He was the only rider able to close up to race leader Enric Mas (Movistar Team) and Oscar Onley (Netcompany Ineos) after they attacked close to the summit of the Alto de Aitana. And while the effort involved saw him drift backwards when Mas went again, he crossed the line third, just 12 seconds back.

There were very much hints of his previous form, enough to believe he might ride into full fitness in the days ahead.

Roglič remains second overall, and is 1:18 behind race leader Enric Mas. With his shape clearly on the up, he was upbeat and motivated atop the Alto de Aitana.

“It’s good, I am super happy,” he grinned, speaking to various media. “Like I said [before the race], I didn’t do much [preparation].

“It is beautiful to ride the bike now here, nice weather, hard climbs. Some guys too fast, but I am happy.”

A complicated run into the Vuelta

Now 36 years of age, Roglič was for many years one of the most dominant riders in the sport. He almost won the 2020 Tour, only losing yellow to Pogačar in the final time trial. He took those four Vuelta titles, won the 2023 Giro d’Italia, was Olympic TT champion and has a total of 92 victories to his credit.

He moved to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prior to the 2024 season and while his Vuelta victory that year was a huge result he has, in general, not been at the same level as previously.

That plus a focus on Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowtiz saw his team pass him over for this year’s Tour. Instead he set his sights on the Vuelta, dreaming of one more Grand Tour win. However he had a big setback in July when he was hit by a car while training.

The injuries from that accident have faded, but he still has discomfort sleeping. His buildup for the race was also adversely affected, impacting his form.

That’s why he was unsure about his prospects in advance of the race.

“I made it in the end to be here,” he told TNT Sports in Monaco. “The only difference was normally I do preparation, now I do rehabilitation. But thinking about it, it is a pleasure to start here.”

Asked how he felt physically, he made clear that he wasn’t then at 100 percent.

“I came at least so far that with easy rides and all this, it is good. But sitting or lying, it is not completely okay,” he stated.

“But it is going better, so I am happy. I think we will discover fast because it is super hard. Not the day one, but then the following days some mountains already. And to see how I will react and how we will go.”

Sunday’s stage was the toughest day yet in the Vuelta. In that light, his strong performance will be welcomed by his team, his supporters, and by everyone who wants this Vuelta to be as competitive as possible.

Winning overall is suddenly less of a longshot than it was before.

‘I wish him a fast recovery’

Roglic heads into the Vuelta’s first rest day in a good place. His form is rising, his morale is up and with Pogačar out of the race, he’s clearly the most experienced GC rider left in this peloton.

Mas, Onley, Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) and others are all riding well, but Roglič has the tactical nous to take them all on if his legs keep improving.

Pogačar crashing out has changed a lot too. Thoughts of Roglič beating the world champion in the race were unrealistic, but things are now different with his compatriot gone.

Roglič agrees with that particular sentiment but also makes clear he doesn’t take any satisfaction from a competitor crashing out.

“It opened [things up], definitely, but you don’t wish for no one for something bad to happen,” he said of that misfortune. “I can just wish him a fast recovery.”

Pogačar is due to undergo a collarbone operation and will then concentrate on getting over that plus other injuries as soon as possible. Roglič will concentrate on doing the best possible performance in the two weeks ahead.

Racing resumes on Tuesday with two lumpy stages, then another summit finish at Calar Alto.

That will be an important insight into how things are going.

If his form keeps rising he could be closer to the stage win there, and he might even start thinking about how to take time back on Mas.

What should help is his fast finish. Even if he doesn’t drop his rivals, his sprint could see him take bonus seconds along the way.

His time trial abilities are also important. The stage 18 race against the clock should also play in his favor, given his previous performances when in full form.

He was, after all, the 2001 Olympic time trial champion and has a clutch of TT wins to his credit.

That’s all further down the track: for now, his big focus will be on continuing to heal up fully from his pre-race injuries, building form and riding each stage in the best possible way.

Things may or may not fall into place in relation to the overall GC victory, but even being competitive again in a Grand Tour is a huge boost for him and for the race itself.