Primoz Roglic Wins Vuelta a España for Record-Equalling Fourth Time

Posted : 09 September 2024

Primoz Roglic made history by securing his fourth Vuelta a España title on Sunday, equalling the record for the most wins in the race's history. The Slovenian cyclist, who had faced a setback earlier in the season with a crash at the Tour de France, finished second in the final time-trial held in Madrid, which was won by Stefan Küng. This victory not only marked Roglic’s fifth Grand Tour title but also provided a significant morale boost after his earlier disappointment.

Roglic, riding for the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team, completed the Vuelta with a time of 81 hours, 49 minutes, and 18 seconds, finishing 2 minutes and 36 seconds ahead of Australia’s Ben O'Connor, who took second place overall. Spain’s Enric Mas completed the podium, finishing in third place, 3 minutes and 13 seconds behind Roglic. The win allowed Roglic to match the record held by Spaniard Roberto Heras for the most Vuelta victories.

In his post-race reflections, Roglic expressed his joy and exhaustion, highlighting the sacrifices made by himself and his family. "This is nice! The more you go to an end, you just want to finish it off," said the 34-year-old cyclist, who also acknowledged the significant support he received throughout the race. His Vuelta victory was a significant rebound after a disappointing crash at the Tour de France before stage 13.

The Vuelta's final stages saw Roglic steadily chip away at O'Connor's early lead, initially gained through a dominant performance in stage four. Despite O'Connor's strong start, Roglic’s consistent mountain performances and a crucial stage win on stage 19 enabled him to reclaim the red jersey and ultimately secure the overall win. This victory helped solidify Slovenia’s dominance in the 2024 Grand Tours, following Tadej Pogačar’s victories in the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France.

Although Roglic’s win was the highlight, other notable moments included Stefan Küng's stage win, which marked his first Grand Tour stage victory, and the unexpected retirement of Wout Van Aert due to a fall. The Belgian’s early success in the points and mountain classifications ended abruptly, allowing Jay Vine and Kaden Groves to take the respective jerseys. This year's Vuelta was marked by impressive performances and dramatic turns, showcasing the fierce competition and endurance of its participants.

Primoz Roglic Wins Vuelta a España for Record-Equalling Fourth Time

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