Four‑time Vuelta winner Roglič set for comeback after training crash

Primož Roglič, the 36‑year‑old Slovenian who has won the Vuelta a España four times, announced he will start the race despite a recent training crash. He will take the leader’s jersey for Red Bull‑Bora in the absence of Remco Evenepoel, who is focusing on the Tour de France.

Why the Vuelta matters for Roglič

The Vuelta has been a defining arena for Roglič, who shares the record for most overall titles with Roberto Heras and has claimed 15 stage wins in the event. His participation adds a high‑profile storyline to a race where five‑time Tour champion Tadej Pogačar returns after a seven‑year gap, aiming for a career Grand Tour sweep.

"I have a very good history with the Vuelta and I always enjoy racing there," Roglič said. "Winning it four times is already something I could never have imagined, so I don't want to put extra pressure on myself. We will take it day by day, do everything we can as a team and try to achieve the best possible outcome. I'm looking forward to it."

Team outlook and race preview

Sven Vanthourenhout, the sports director at Red Bull‑Bora, cautioned that expectations must be tempered because Roglič’s preparation was altered by the crash. "We will assess things step by step and support him to achieve the best possible general classification result, but we also have to be ready to adapt if necessary," he said.

The Vuelta kicks off on Saturday with a 9km individual time trial in Monaco. The second and third stages finish in France, followed by a day in Andorra before the race moves into Spain from stage five onward. The three‑week tour will conclude in Granada on 13 September.

Looking ahead, Red Bull‑Bora will monitor Roglič’s condition daily, adjusting tactics as the race unfolds. While a overall win may be a long shot, a strong performance could still influence team rankings and sponsor visibility as the cycling calendar winds down.