Primoz Roglic Claims Historic Fourth Vuelta a España Title
Primoz Roglic has solidified his status as one of cycling's elite by clinching the Vuelta a España for the fourth time in his career, a remarkable achievement that highlights his dominance in the sport. The Slovenian superstar won the prestigious Spanish stage race once again on Sunday, showcasing his exceptional time trial skills in the concluding 21st stage.
The final stage, set against the backdrop of Madrid, was a challenging time trial covering 246 flat kilometers, perfectly suited for the strongest time trialists. Swiss cyclist Stefan Küng from Team FDJ took the honors in this stage, finishing with an impressive time of 26 minutes and 28 seconds. Despite finishing half a minute behind Küng, Roglic’s second-place finish was more than enough to secure his overall lead, making him the champion of the Vuelta a España once again.
With this victory, Roglic further cements his legacy, having previously triumphed in the Vuelta in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Fellow competitors Ben O’Connor from AG2R and Enric Mas from Movistar filled the second and third spots on the overall podium, while Richard Carapaz from EF finished just outside the top three in fourth place. Mattias Skjelmose of Trek also made headlines by finishing fifth overall and winning the prestigious youth jersey.
Post-race, Skjelmose reflected on his journey throughout the grueling three weeks of competition. "I’m a bit at a loss for words. I don’t usually feel that way. It’s been a strange season. There has been so much that has culminated leading up to this," he said in an interview with TV 2 Sport. Skjelmose had started the race with aspirations of securing a podium finish, and despite a challenging season, he proudly celebrated his accomplishment.
Roglic’s victory is a testament to his resilience and tenacity, especially considering the ups and downs he faced throughout the competition. This latest win not only adds another title to his impressive resume but also serves to inspire aspiring cyclists around the world. The future looks bright for Roglic as he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport of cycling.
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