Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) is out of La Vuelta before today's 17, with his team confirming he cannot continue due to the crash injuries he sustained in the finale yesterday. While the Slovenian managed to finish the stage, he looked dazed and was covered in road rash and blood.
His withdrawal from the race represents an anti-climax as Roglič had been significantly chipping away at the advantage of race leader Remco Evenepoel (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl) and was tipped to go all-out with his attacks in the final week. But his withdrawal now means Evenepoel is very likely to win the race without any significant challenge.
Roglič had gained time on Evenepoel when he distanced him on Saturday's and Sunday's summit finishes, though the young Belgian rode very well to limit his damages on Sunday's stage to Sierra Nevada. Yesterday, Roglič went on the attack with 2.7km to go and pulled a group of the strongest sprinters clear.
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However, while that group gained eight seconds on the front section of the peloton - which split on the uphill run to the line - Roglič crashed just as the sprint was starting. He appeared to hit Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) at the back of the group and hit the deck hard.
He struggled back onto his bike and was able to finish the stage but looked quite shaken and bloodied, meaning his withdrawal from the race is perhaps no surprise. Roglič, who has won the last three Vueltas, was also forced out of the Tour de France this year following a crash on stage 5, when the race went over the pavé sections.
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He continued in the Tour, aiding team mate Jonas Vingegaard into the yellow jersey and towards eventual overall victory, but withdrew from the race due to his lingering injuries before the start of stage 15. Roglič was then diagnosed with fractured vertebrae, as well as having dislocated his shoulder during his crash.
He faced a prolonged period of recovery and said before La Vuelta he had only resumed training two weeks before the race began. Because of that, he came into the event undercooked and was expected to improve through the Grand Tour, especially in the final week.
That scenario looked on course given his superior climbing strength over Evenepoel last weekend and also his blistering attack in the finale yesterday. However, his crash and withdrawal has robbed the race of could have been a great battle over the remaining mountain stages, including today's summit finish to Monasterio de Tentudía.
"Unfortunately, Primož Roglič will not be at the start of stage 17 as a consequence of yesterday’s crash," his Jumbo Visma team said in a brief statement on Wednesday morning.
"Get well soon, champion! Thank you for all the beautiful moments in this Vuelta. You had ambitious plans for the final days, but sadly it isn’t meant to be."
