Roglic set to defend Lavuelta – but has to work hard for it
Primoz Roglic stands to win the Vuelta a Espana for a second consecutive year but was made to work for it as a late attack from Richard Carapaz halved his advantage and threatened to deliver more penultimate-stage heartache.
Two months after Roglic’s dreams of Tour de France glory evaporated on the stage 20 time trial, he was in danger of seeing victory once again slip away at the final hurdle as Carapaz attacked on the Alto de La Covatilla.
The Ecuadorian, who started the day 45 seconds down in second place, pulled clear around five kilometres from the end of the 178km stage from Sequeros and opened up an advantage of 29 seconds at one point, but could get no closer as Roglic recovered before the line.
“It’s always good to have some exciting finishes and this was exciting, but I still had just enough left that I knew if I went at my own tempo it should be enough,” the Slovenian said.
“Sometimes at the
end you just need to stay under control and do your thing. What can I say? I’m super happy and it’s a really nice way to finally finish the season.”
Britain’s Hugh Carthy had been the first of the main contenders to try an attack, and the EF Education First rider consolidated his place in third before today’s processional run in to Madrid.
Jumbo-visma’s Roglic leads by 24 seconds from Carapaz of the Ineos Grenadiers, with Carthy a further 23 seconds down in third place, almost two minutes clear of Irishman Dan Martin in fourth.
Frenchman David Gaudu took the stage win for Groupama-fdj from the breakaway, but all eyes were a further three minutes down the mountain with this the last chance to make a move in the general classification.