Vuelta for Roglič? ‘He is only training on the trainer right now’

A battle royale between the top four quickly lost a key fighter after Stage 12 of the Tour de France. Alexey Lutsenko crashed due to an obstacle on the road. Roglič subsequently fell on the right side of the road, with a lot of riders also going down on the left. Although he finished the day battered and tattered, bruised and behind, there was great concern for the next day. And the concern was warranted.

Sure enough, before Stage 13, his Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe team posted that he underwent careful examination by the medical team after the stage and again before Stage 13. In a post on social media, the team said, “The decision has been taken that he will not start today, to focus on upcoming goals. We wish you a speedy recovery, Primož.”

Roglič to salvage season in Spain?

The battle continued between Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel, with few updates about the 2023 Giro d’Italia winner.

Since then, there has been little news about Roglič, until on Thursday, when Javier Guillén, the Vuelta a España race director, said that the Slovenian may be at the final Grand Tour of the year.

Upon being asked about that during the team’s Inside podcast, Ralph Denk (CEO of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) was cagey. “He must know more than I do,” the German said. Primoz is only doing some training on the home trainer, so it’s not clear yet if he will participate. I know the director would like to have him in the race, but I can’t confirm that yet.

Pogi or Vingegaard to race for red?

There has also been speculation—or maybe wishful thinking—that Vingegaard and Pogačar would ride in Spain. Vingegaard has several times said that he would not be able to due to a family situation. Given his partner Trine Hansen’s baby bump, we can only assume he is referring to the new addition to their family. As for Pogačar, despite the possibility of him becoming the first male ever to win all three Grand Tours, both he and his camp continue to say that it would never happen. Mauro Gianetti, the boss of Team UAE – Emirates, said it would not be wise as they risk burning out their star rider.

If you’re already missing the Tour de France, don’t despair. The Vuelta a España begins Aug 17 and goes to Sep 8.  Also, the Tour de France Femmes runs Aug 12 to Aug 18.