"After crashing, I couldn't think about sitting, nor even riding a bike" - Primoz Roglic reveals he is lucky to be at La Vuelta; talks Lotto and Pogacar
Cycling
Primoz Roglic enters the 2026 Vuelta a España as the record holder, together with Roberto Heras. Taking a fifth this year is likely out of question with the presence of Tadej Pogacar, and a recent crash that put his participation in doubt. The Slovenian also discussed his compatriot and the transfer talks with Lotto-Intermarché.
In Monaco, Roglic has a start to a Grand Tour right by his home, something that has motivated him to pick the Spanish Grand Tour as his main goal of the year. After several months without notable results, there is some pressure - even if the team isn't putting many resources into backing the Slovenian.
Training crash jeopardizes Roglic's Vuelta
Roglic was planned to race the Clásica San Sebastián and Vuelta a Burgos, but withdrew due to an injury caused by a crash, caused by a car during a training ride.
"I always say that I don't want to complain or lose words about it," Roglic said in a pre-race press conference, as reported by Cyclingnews. "But I'm here and I'm excited to get started. Normally the plan is preparation towards the race but I had to do rehabilitation towards the race."
"10, 14 days ago, I couldn't do anything. When the car hit, at first I thought it was not such a big thing, the speed was super-slow, and I fell on my side and on my ass luckily".
What first appeared to be a minor mishap turned out to be a major issue, one that developed into an injury that kept him from seriously training for several weeks. “Instead of preparation, I did rehabilitation".
"But then there was a super big haematoma; I couldn't do much for at least three weeks. If you asked me 10 days back, I wouldn't say I could sit on a TT bike. Just putting socks on my feet was the hardest thing for these three weeks".
Primoz Roglic will be Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe's header for the Vuelta a España
His participation in the final Grand Tour of the season was also put into question, as he was unsure if he could compete over the next three weeks.
"Luckily, at the end I could start to move. I still cannot lie on my right side but I feel good enough to ride my bike and come here to start the Vuelta. After crashing, I couldn't think about sitting, nor even riding a bike. As for what that means, maybe Stage 1 and a 9 kilometers time trial should be fine. But then for later on, we'll see how it goes."
In what is his final Grand Tour for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, he looks to seize the opportunity and fight in a race that has given him so much over the past few years. "It's just crazy. Super special. So I'm happy and privileged to experience this thing."
Mostly supported by classics specialists, the Slovenian will only enjoy the company of young Australian Luke Tuckwell in the mountains, whilst the team has kept most of its climbers away from the final Grand Tour of the season.
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Roglic confirms Lotto talks, but not the timings
Roglic was asked about his compatriot Tadej Pogacar, main favourite to win the race. He thinks back of the 2019 Vuelta, where he won his Grand Tour; and Pogacar raced his first.
“Maybe it was the last time I beat him or something, I don't know," he chuckled. "I mean already finishing on the podium is incredible. He was super strong, yes on the last day."
Lastly, Roglic was also asked about his contacts with Lotto-Intermarché. Het Laatste Nieuws reported weeks ago of contact between the two parties, leading to speculation on what could be one of the most shocking transfers of the winter.
“Yeah, actually, I think I can confirm that I spoke one time with them," he replied, but shared an interesting detail on the timing of these conversations.
"But also that was just super recently actually, and the news or everything was out already, I think weeks in front or whatever. I mean, a lot of people know a lot more actually than me" he said ironically, "but yeah, at the end, yes, we spoke.”
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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