With just over a week before the 2024 Vuelta a España starts in Lisbon, there’s still uncertainty about three-time former winner Primož Roglič’s participation. The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe leader fractured a vertebra in his lower back after a crash on stage 12 of the Tour de France, which forced him to abandon early in the second week when he was lying sixth overall.
Although he was on the provisional start list for the Clásica San Sebastián, his participation was never certain. On Friday, the 34-year-old was not included in the team’s definitive list. “Primož is not in good shape yet,” sports director Patxi Vila told El Diario Vasco on Wednesday before confirming he would not start in San Sebastián. “He’s still got pains in his back after falling in the Tour. He can train, but not at high intensity, and in that condition, I don’t know what point there would be in bringing him [to San Sebastián].”
After it emerged Roglič would not participate in the Clásica, questions surrounding his involvement in the Vuelta a España have intensified. Spanish sports daily AS reported on Friday morning that the Vuelta organisers remain hopeful about his participation, noting that he is included in the preliminary start-list. However, a final decision on whether Roglič will race the Vuelta for a sixth time is expected early next week.
As the only member of the ‘Big Four’ of Grand Tour racing with a chance of taking part, Roglič’s presence would significantly boost the Vuelta a España’s startlist. Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar, both former podium finishers in the Vuelta, made it clear in the Tour de France that they would not be racing. Remco Evenepoel, who won the race outright in 2022, has not planned a second Grand Tour for 2024.
Roglič is highly regarded by Spanish fans for his record in their home Grand Tour. He has won the Vuelta three times from 2019 to 2021 and took third overall last year, including two stage victories, one of which was on the notoriously tough Angliru. Only Chris Froome, with two overall victories and two runners-up spots, comes close to Roglič’s Vuelta achievements in the current peloton. However, it has been confirmed that the Briton will not ride this year.
If Roglič were to race and win the Vuelta, it would see him equal the record held by retired rider Roberto Heras, who won the Grand Tour in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Main photo credit: Getty