Primoz Roglic is on the verge of equalling Roberto Heras as the cyclist who has won the most Tours of Spain in history with four. The Slovenian took advantage of the excessive vigilance between Enric Mas and Richard Carapaz to deal a definitive blow to the general classification with an attack six kilometers from the finish line at the top of Moncalvillo.
After two weeks wearing the leader’s red jersey, Ben O’Connor finally gave up the precious garment in a stage that went very calmly until the nine kilometers to go. So, The Bora-Red Bulls set a hellish pace that reduced the peloton to a minimum and a rarely seen paradox occurred.
Three cyclists from the German team –Daniel Felipe Martínez, Aleksandr Vlasov and Primoz Roglic – left alone at the front of the race, launching the Slovenian towards victory in the general classification. Behind, Enric Mas and Richard Carapaz blame each other for not making the cut put the stage and the overall victory on a plate for the Slovenian.
Roglic rode a time trial to the end of the stage, not being caught by late attacks from Carapaz and Mas. In fact, the Spaniards He gave too much, reaching the last few meters very tired, losing 50 seconds to the winner. and being overtaken by Gaudu and Skjelmose in these last sets.
The leader until today, Ben O’Connor went into crisis two kilometers from the finish, giving up the leadbut maintaining second place in the general classification with a 26-second lead over Enric Mas who will have to attack again tomorrow Saturday at the finish at Picón Blanco.
Roglicwithout being in its best version, is about to certify his victory in the general classification for the fourth time. With almost two minutes ahead of all his rivals and the final time trial, it is impossible to predict a different ending than seeing him at the top of the Plaza Cibeles. At 34, the Slovenian is living a true love affair with the Spanish round.
