Javier Guillén encourages Primoz Roglic to focus on making cycling history: "Why don't we get the first rider to win his fifth Vuelta?"

Although it is not unanimous, most fans agree that we have just witnessed a great edition of the Vuelta a España, with plenty battles in the mountains, an open fight for the red jersey with Ben O'Connor surviving almost until the end of the race; and a few great exhibitions from likely and unlikely suspects. Race director Javier Guillén has given his thoughts on the race that ended this past Sunday featuring opinions on Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert and more.

"Very positive, especially because our wish for an open and competitive race finally came true. That's what we were looking for, and in the end, Ben O'Connor was the key to a successful Vuelta with a lot of competition. Primoz Roglic, Richard Carapaz, Enric Mas and Mikel Landa were all very present," Javier Guillén said in words to AS.

The fight for the overall classification was very lively, starting with stage 4 up to Pico Villuercas but then having a rogue Ben O'Connor gaining over six minutes on his rivals on stage 6, and then hanging on throughout the many mountain stages. The Australian lost time on most days but enough to keep the ambitions of a victory or podium (he ultimately finished second) alive, giving an extra element of interest into a GC battle that much closer than both Giro d'Italia and Tour de France where the top riders were head and shoulders above their rivals.

Primoz Roglic conquered the overall classification, for the fourth time, and has equaled the record of Roberto Heras. Guillén believes that the Slovenian can make history at the Spanish race: "He is the most successful rider and has secured his place in the race's history books. Talking about the Vuelta without naming Roglic is impossible, which is a right he earned himself."

"Right now, we are in the era of records. Just as some riders have won five Tours, why don't we get the first rider to win his fifth Vuelta? I encourage him to come," Guillén openly says. "On Sunday, I congratulated him and told him that red is the color that suits him best".

The race was also marked by the incredibly surprising performances of Kern Pharma who have won three stages with Pablo Castrillo and Urko Berrade; the many mountain stages that saw different climbers take the spotlight; and Wout van Aert's return to his very best level which saw him take three stage wins before eventually crashing out of the race.

"I can only praise him. He is one of the best riders in the world and was the biggest crowd-pleaser of the race until he unfortunately fell," Guillén said of the Belgian. "I hope he wants to return in the future. From a sports standpoint, the Covadonga stage was wonderful, with Marc Soler's victory and the battle between those in the GC, but the feeling that day was dire because Van Aert had dropped out. It was sad on a personal and professional level".