"I missed it this year – it would be amazing to fight for a 5th Vuelta": Primoz Roglic targets record-breaking Red Jersey in 2026
Cycling
Primoz Roglic has confirmed that he hopes to return to the Vuelta a Espana in 2026 to chase what would be a record-breaking fifth overall victory, after sitting out the 2025 edition for the first time since his debut in the race six years ago.
Speaking to AS while attending the Saitama Criterium in Japan, the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader admitted he missed being part of the Spanish Grand Tour this season. “It was strange for me too,” Roglic said. “At first I wasn’t following much because I was tired and needed to recover. Later, everyone at home kept telling me I should be there. I missed it, but I think we made the right decision.”
Now, with his focus already turning towards 2026, the Slovenian made clear where his motivation lies. “It would be amazing and beautiful to be able to fight for the fifth one next year,” he said. “It’s definitely something I’d like to try.”
Looking ahead from Monaco start
Roglic, who resides in Monaco, could enjoy something of a home start next August when the race rolls out from the principality. “I hope to be at the start – that’s my wish,” he noted. “We still have to see with the team, but I want to be ready for the races I do and capable of winning. I don’t mind starting early in Australia and finishing in October, but what matters is being in top shape for the races you target.”
The highlight of Roglic’s 2025 campaign was his dominant showing at the Volta a Catalunya, where he took two stage wins and the overall title. Despite setbacks later in the year, he insisted the experience was valuable. “It was a good season,” he reflected. “Maybe not as many victories as I’d have liked, but it helped me a lot and I learned from it. Every time you don’t win, it means you have to work harder on yourself.”
“We have to close the gap to UAE”
Roglic will again line up in a formidable Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe roster alongside Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz in 2026. “Hopefully we can get closer to teams like UAE, who won nearly 100 races this season,” he said. “There’s still a big difference to close, and it would be crazy to say we’ll do it next year, but if we can be stronger than this season, that’s already a step in the right direction.”
As for what lies beyond 2026, Roglic remains undecided. “I don’t know,” he smiled. “I try to go day by day, week by week, month by month – to see what level I can still reach and what challenges I still have ahead in life.”
And when asked for one wish for the year ahead, his response was simple: “To be happy.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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