Primož Roglič admits Evenepoel is 'on a different level' as he loses more time at Vuelta a España
The Slovenian didn't count himself out of a comeback but struggles to see an easy way back
![Primoz Roglic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FEshRo2XPnupBxQChQboff-415-80.jpg)
It's always difficult to read too much into what Primož Roglič says because he doesn't speak with hidden messages or subtle references.
Yet after stage 10 of the Vuelta a España, it was also hard not to escape the feeling that Roglič was trying to say something without actually muttering the exact words.
The implication felt clear: for the first time, he really thinks he is not going to defend his title, and for the first time in four years he is not going to win the Vuelta.
Race leader Remco Evenepoel won the time trial in Alicante and put a substantial amount of time into all of his GC rivals, including 48 seconds into Roglič who moved up to second overall thanks to Enric Mas ceding almost two minutes and dropping to third.
At the halfway point of the race Evenepoel has an advantage of 2-41 to Roglič, and the Slovenian already seems keen to start softening the blow of his likely failure to win the race for a fourth consecutive time.
"Every year, sooner or later, you lose," he said after the conclusion of the time trial. "If you're not here [with great form], you're going to lose." Evenepoel, meanwhile, "is flying at the moment. He's on a different level at the moment."
Roglič, 10 years Evenepoel's senior, has competed in enough Grand Tours to know that anything can happen in a three week race and that the race is not yet sewn up, something he was keen to press despite admitting the large gap to the Belgian.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
But he also couldn't deny that Evenepoel was performing far superior to anyone else. "It's a long race," he added. "We will see day by day.
"At the moment [the idea] is to stay healthy and avoid any problems and to stay in one piece, searching for the opportunities that will come.
"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 us, and he's showing it here at the moment."
While Roglič was unable to win his fifth Vuelta time trial, he was not dissatisfied with his performance in the time trial, especially with it moving him up to second place in the overall standings.
"I think I did a good time trial," he said. "For myself, I feel proud about my ride today. It was quite fast. At least I didn't take one hour to cover it. It is how it is. I am happy about today's result.
"We are just enjoying today's performance and we will look at it day by day because there are still 11 stages to come."
Roglič, however, is down to only five teammates, with Edoardo Affini leaving the race before the start of stage 10, and Sepp Kuss departing ahead of the previous stage. Both riders had reported feeling ill with fever.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
Tour de France stage winner leaves hospital, one month after being hit by car driver
Lennard Kämna to fly home to Germany to begin rehabilitation after incident in Tenerife last month
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Sepp Kuss: 'I can fight for the Grand Tours. I can be with the best guys'
Rather than seeking leadership opportunities at lesser teams, Kuss embraces being "second card" for Visma-Lease a Bike
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Will Sepp Kuss spark a US road cycling revival?
It’s been some 15 years since we saw such an exciting contingent of American riders in the WorldTour; there’s hope their ember can spark a fire in the hearts of American sports fans
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
There should be no more flying in Grand Tours
In the age of climate crisis, no race organiser should create an event that means air travel will be used
By Adam Becket Published
-
Michel Hessmann anti doping positive a ‘black day’ for Jumbo-Visma says boss
22-year-old German rider suspended by Dutch team in August after positive test revealed presence of diuretics
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How much did Sepp Kuss and Jumbo-Visma win at the Vuelta a España 2023?
Turns out locking out the podium for much of the race gets you quite a few Euros
By Adam Becket Published
-
Five things we learned from the Vuelta a España 2023: Sepp Kuss is the real deal and Ineos still lacking
Here's what we learned from the final Grand Tour of the 2023 season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Kaden Groves wins final stage of Vuelta a España as Sepp Kuss confirms victory
Sepp Kuss completes his victory in the Vuelta a España around the streets of Madrid
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published