“He always gets back up and returns to the top” – Primoz Roglic’s Vuelta fortitude draws praise from rival DS as four-time winner eyes comeback podium

Primoz Roglic began the 2026 Vuelta a Espana only weeks after being hit by a car during a training ride. The collision left him with a large haematoma on his right leg, unable to train properly and struggling with everyday tasks as simple as putting on his socks.

His planned appearances at the Clasica San Sebastian and Vuelta a Burgos were replaced by rehabilitation, while his chances of reaching Monaco were still rated at only 50-50 less than two weeks before the start. Six stages later, the four-time winner remains firmly inside the podium positions.

Roglic limited his losses to Tadej Pogacar and Enric Mas during Thursday’s demanding gravel finale on El Bartolo, finishing 46 seconds behind the leading pair after admitting he had suffered throughout the stage.

That result dropped the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe leader from second to third overall, 4:21 behind Pogacar and 47 seconds behind Mas. Given the doubts over whether Roglic would even start the race, however, his continued presence towards the head of the general classification has impressed Robi Jenko. The former professional rider, now a sports director at Bahrain - Victorious, believes Roglic’s latest recovery captures why the Slovenian has developed such a powerful connection with supporters at home.

“I am very happy,” Jenko said during an appearance on RTV Slovenija’s Tour 202 podcast. “I think all of Slovenia is happy as well, and perhaps his second place is even more interesting to the Slovenian sporting public."

“We know that Primoz is, in a special way, a favourite of the Slovenian sporting audience. And not only sports fans, because he is also followed by people who did not watch sport at all before him," he added. “They simply identify with him and his story, with the way he always gets back up and returns to the top.”

The discussion was recorded before Roglic surrendered second place to Mas on Stage 6, but its central assessment survived the gravel examination. Roglic was unable to follow Pogacar’s decisive acceleration, yet he rode alongside Felix Gall and breakaway survivor Ramses Debruyne before joining forces with Richard Carapaz and Harold Tejada during the run towards Castellon de la Plana.

It was another exercise in damage limitation rather than evidence that Roglic can presently match Pogacar. The Slovenian nevertheless protected a provisional podium position while Sepp Kuss, Oscar Onley, Mattias Skjelmose and Jarno Widar all lost considerably more ground.

Jenko also praised the 36-year-old’s ability to adapt as professional cycling continues to evolve around younger riders and increasingly specialised preparation.

Cycling reporter Igor Tominec had expected Roglic to become a more serious factor during the second half of the race. His involvement from the opening Monaco time trial therefore arrived earlier than anticipated.

“I predicted that he would become a serious factor in the second half of the race, but he has been involved since Stage 1,” Tominec said. “On Stage 4, when Oscar Onley and Felix Gall attacked, he bridged across with ease.”

Jenko believes Roglic’s experience and endurance could allow him to make further progress once the Vuelta enters its second and third weeks. “For now, we know he had some problems with a muscle injury caused by the training accident,” the Bahrain Victorious sports director explained. “I think that with his experience and his engine, he could be even better relative to his rivals in the second half. Let us enjoy it and give it time.”

Tominec was more cautious about how Roglic’s condition might develop, but recognised the four-time winner’s history of reaching his strongest level late in Grand Tours. “At the moment, nobody dares predict how his form will develop through to the end of the Vuelta,” he said. “When a rider arrives at a race injured, they can have more problems towards the end, but Roglic is known for deciding three-week races right at the end.”

Pogacar’s advantage already exceeds four minutes, making a record fifth red jersey a distant prospect after less than a week. Another Vuelta podium would still represent a significant comeback for Roglic, whose uncertain preparation has so far given way to third place and another demonstration of the resilience on which much of his career has been built.