Primoz Roglic wins third straight Vuelta a Espana title

Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic wrapped up a third straight Vuelta a Espana after claiming victory in the final stage, a 33.8km time trial. Enric Mas and Jack Haig completed the podium.

Roglic, the Olympic time trial champion, beat second-placed Magnus Cort Nielsen by 14 seconds and became the third rider to win a third Vuelta. He won by four minutes 42 seconds overall – the biggest winning margin at a Vuelta since Alex Zuelle in 1997.

“It’s the last stage and all this week was hard,” said Roglic.

Dutch veteran Annemiek van Vleuten claimed the Challenge by La Vuelta title after preserving her overall lead over closest challenger Marlen Reusser, despite finishing 16 seconds behind stage winner Lotte Kopecky on Sunday.

Belgian rider Kopecky won the fourth and final stage, a 104km ride from As Pontes, as she edged out Italian Elisa Longo Borghini in a sprint for the line.

Stage 21 results

1. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo Visma) 44 mins 02 secs
2. Magnus Cort Nielsen (Den/EF Education – Nippo) +14 secs
3. Thymen Arensman (Ned/DSM) +52 secs
4. Josef Cerny (Cze/Deceuninck – Quick Step) +1 min 16 secs
5. Chad Haga (USA/Team DSM) +1 min 43 secs
6. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos Grenadiers) +1 min 49 secs
7. Felix Grosschartner (Aut/Bora-Hansgrohe) +1 min 52 secs
8. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Jumbo Visma) Same time
9. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar Team) +2 mins 04 secs
10. Ion Izagirre (Spa/Astana – Premier Tech) +2 mins 06 secs

Final classification

1. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo Visma) 83 hrs 55 mins 29 secs
2. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar Team) +4 mins 42 secs
3. Jack Haig (Aus/Bahrain Victorious) +7mins 40 secs
4. Adam Yates (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +9 mins 06 secs
5. Gino Mader (Swi/Bahrain Victorious) +11 mins 33 secs
6. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos Grenadiers) +13 mins 27 secs
7. David De La Cruz (Spa/UAE Team Emirates) +18 mins 33 secs
8. Sepp Kuss (USA/Jumbo – Visma) +18 mins 55 secs
9. Guillaume Martin (Fra/Cofidis) +20 mins 27 secs
10. Felix Grosschartner (Aut/Bora-Hansgrohe) +22 mins 22 secs

PHOTO/COURTESY