"For me it’s a victory" - Primoz Roglic settles for second at La Vuelta and congratulates Enric Mas
CyclingSunday, 13 September 2026 at 22:35
Primoz Roglic finished second in the Vuelta a España after a race in which he once again came close to making history. The Slovenian was chasing a fifth win in the Spanish Grand Tour, a result that would have made him the most successful rider in the race’s history, but in the end he could not overcome an Enric Mas who was superior in the mountains throughout the event.
Roglic arrived at the Vuelta aiming to fight for overall victory, but the circumstances around the start made it hard to predict he would end up in the top two. The rider himself admitted his approach was to progress day by day, without setting such lofty expectations at the outset.
“When I started the situation was difficult, but I wanted to race the Vuelta. I went day by day and I didn’t imagine being second,” the Slovenian explained after completing the race.
Despite missing the win, Roglic stressed the value of the result. For the four-time Vuelta winner, being able to fight for the general classification and finish second is practically a victory given the circumstances. “For me it’s a victory. I gave my best, I kept getting better,” he said.
Primoz Roglic had to settle for second at the Vuelta a España
Enric Mas, dominant in the mountains
The race hinged on the mountains, where Enric Mas managed to open gaps on Roglic. The Spaniard was more consistent on the key high-mountain stages and ultimately imposed his superiority to secure the overall win.
Roglic tried, but he couldn’t find a way to overturn a classification in which Mas gained authority as the race progressed. The Slovenian had to settle for second, leaving him on the cusp of a historic record.
Victory would have given Roglic five overall titles at the Vuelta a España and moved him past Roberto Heras as the rider with the most wins in the race’s history. Both now remain tied on four victories.
Far from showing frustration at missing that fifth title, Roglic also had words of recognition for his rival. “I’m happy for Enric Mas as well because he deserves this victory,” he noted.
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Montreal Worlds on Roglic’s horizon
The question now is whether Roglic will try again to conquer a fifth Vuelta a España. The rider did not rule out returning to the race, although he made it clear he does not want to rush decisions about his future. “Maybe I’ll come back to the Vuelta, I need to take decisions step by step,” he explained.
For now, the Slovenian prefers to focus on his next goals before deciding his path. After a demanding Vuelta, his sights are set on the World Championships in Canada. “I just wanted to finish this race, and now I’ll enjoy the World Championships in Canada. We’ll see what the future brings,” he concluded.
Roglic leaves the Vuelta without the fifth title he was chasing, but with a second place that carries special weight after the challenges he faced during the race. The record will have to wait, while Enric Mas enjoys a victory that, as Roglic himself says, he fully deserves.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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