GC analysis: Roglic remains reference point despite losing Vuelta a España lead

Vuelta Espana 2021 - 76th Edition - 3rd stage Santo Domingo de Silos - Picon Blanco 202,8 km - 16/08/2021 - Primoz Roglic (SLO - Jumbo - Visma) - photo Luis Angel Gomez/BettiniPhoto©2021
Primoz Roglic of Jumbo-Visma rode stage 3 in the red leader's jersey (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

After the first summit finish of the 2021 Vuelta a España, double-defending champion and top favourite Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) may no longer be in the lead, but this is no defeat. Far from it.

As the Slovenian himself re-confirmed at the summit of Picón Blanco, his ideal result from the Vuelta a España is if he is in the red leader’s jersey after the final stage in Santiago de Compostela in three weeks time. 

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Alasdair Fotheringham

Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The IndependentThe GuardianProCycling, The Express and Reuters.