"It is how it is" - Roglic rides into second place at Vuelta time-trial but fails to control Evenepoel's GC surge

Primoz Roglic rode at the expected level of the Vuelta a Espana, putting in a very strong ride to finish in second place and put time into many of his main competitors. However he has found competition in Remco Evenepoel, who has equally dealt a blow on the Jumbo-Visma rider.

“I am happy about it. I think I can I did a good time trial. It’s a nice result, and a big congrats to Remco. He’s on a different level at the moment," Roglic said in a post-race interview. “Every year, sooner or later you lose. If you’re not here, you’re not going to lose. Definitely, he is flying at the moment. We will see. It’s a long race. For myself, I feel proud about my ride today. It was quite fast today. At least I didn’t take one hour to cover this. It is how it is. I am happy about today’s result.”

The high speeds found on the Alicante time-trial didn't favour the GC riders, but they went on to finish first and second on the day. Roglic rode over the line to beat the long-standing time of Rémi Cavagna, but had very little time in the hot seat as Evenepoel raced down the coastal city's avenue 48 seconds earlier than Roglic had hoped for.

Despite taking over a minute on Enric Mas and going through the Spaniard in the overall classification, his time loss to the Belgian will have give the Slovenian mixed feelings. He now sits 2:41 minutes behind the lead, a closeable gap, but one that is increasingly larger.

“We will see day by day. The moment is to stay healthy and avoid the problems and stay in one piece. And searching for the opportunities that will come," Roglic added. “I would be happier if he wasn’t going so well. He didn’t need to show that he can go so good. He’s already won a lot of big races. He’s showed how strong he is, and he’s showing it here at the moment," he said of his rival.

“We will see. We just are enjoying today’s performance, and we will look at it day by day, because there are still 11 stages to come," the Slovenian concluded. Tomorrow's 11th stage should be a calmer day for the GC riders, but on stage 12 they will be back on the charge with a very difficult summit finish at Peñas Blancas.