A strategic breakaway on the ultimate gruelling ascent within the mountains of northern Spain secured Primoz Roglic victory on stage 19 of the Vuelta a España, in addition to the chief’s purple jersey, on Friday.
The 34-year-old had misplaced the purple jersey to Australian Ben O’Connor after stage six however has since chipped away on the lead earlier than reclaiming it with a powerful efficiency within the mountains of the La Rioja province.
“I had some very nice reminiscences from this climb and I didn’t miss this chance, I’m completely satisfied,” Roglic mentioned.
Whereas a number one group maintained a slender lead over the peloton for a lot of the race, none tried a breakaway earlier than the demanding 11km climb main as much as the end line at Alto de Moncalvillo.
Roglic (Crimson Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) noticed a possibility midway by way of the ascent and seized it, by no means trying again. The Slovenian crossed the end line alone, 46 seconds forward of Frenchman David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), who took second place. Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) completed third.
O’Connor (Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale), understanding his lead was in peril, tried to maintain up however completed twelfth. Roglic now has a one minute and 54 second general lead over O’Connor, and appears heading in the right direction to win his fourth Vuelta title.
“I used to be a bit damaged on the finish. I truly felt fairly good till midway,” O’Connor mentioned. “I wasn’t actually stunned, however I didn’t count on myself to be so dangerous on the finish. I used to be a bit common to be trustworthy. However that’s simply the fact.”
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