Primoz Roglic receives congratulations from Visma CEO, but remains mysterious about future after Vuelta

This was already the ninth time the four-time Vuelta winner had stood on the podium of a Grand Tour. “Well, time flies, doesn’t it? To be honest, I didn’t know that statistic, but… well. Just starting this Grand Tour was already special,” said Roglic, who was hit by a car during altitude training a few weeks before the start and whose participation was therefore in doubt for a long time.

"I mainly entered because the race started 'at home' in Monaco. But I really didn't expect to achieve this. So yes, this second-place finish feels like a victory to me. Congratulations to Enric Mas—he absolutely deserved it. And as I said, I’m incredibly happy with my second-place finish,” said Roglic.

The Slovenian, who also received congratulations from former team manager Richard Plugge, believed he would win the overall title right up until the second-to-last day. “That’s just how it went. But you know, as I said: it’s a real shame that Tadej had to withdraw—you wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

"For us, it simply meant that we all moved up a spot. For me, it didn’t change anything about our race plan or strategy. I did my very best; we gave it our all as a team, and this was simply the best we could do," he concludes, as level-headed as ever.

The big question is: Will Roglic, who turns 37 in October, secure his tenth podium finish in a Grand Tour? “Phew, I have no idea! But it’s pretty crazy when you think about how many stages and days we’ve already raced. All the experiences cycling has given me... I never would have dared to dream of that. I’ve learned so much from it, including lessons that will serve me for the rest of my life."