(Madrid) Slovenian Primož Roglič won a fourth Vuelta a España title on Sunday, equalling the record of Spaniard Roberto Heras.
Roglič successfully protected his lead in the 21st minutee and the final stage of the Vuelta, a 24.6-kilometre time trial. He suffered no problems and his lead of more than two minutes was never in danger.
He finished the final Grand Tour of the year two minutes and 36 seconds ahead of Australian Ben O’Connor, who led the race for almost two weeks. Enric Mas took third place in the general classification, more than three minutes behind the winner.
“I wanted to finish the job. It was difficult, but everything went well and I am happy,” Roglič said. “It is a lot of sacrifices. Not only for me, but for my family and loved ones too. I really appreciate the support I received.”
PHOTO ISABEL INFANTES, REUTERS
Primož Roglič celebrates with his family on the podium.
Roglič took second place in Sunday’s time trial, 31 seconds behind stage winner Stefan Küng of Switzerland.
Roglič equalled Heras’ four titles, having triumphed in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Slovenian won the Vuelta a España in 2019, 2020 and 2021 before his 2024 conquest.
Another Slovenian, Tadej Pogacar, won the other two Grand Tours this year, those of France and Italy.
It was Roglič’s first Vuelta title since moving from Jumbo Visma to Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe.
Roglič, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist in the individual time trial, had a slow start to the Vuelta a España but gradually closed the gap to O’Connor, eventually stealing the Australian’s red jersey after Friday’s stage.
This year’s Vuelta concluded with a time trial rather than the usual low-key finish in Madrid, where cycling customs demand that general classification contenders respect the leader’s advantage.
Roglič said that winning a fifth Vuelta next year “would be great. It’s never enough, but four is crazy.”