“Maybe we’ll be just worse than this...” - Primoz Roglic slips down Vuelta GC as four-time champion loses time in gravel thriller
CyclingThursday, 27 August 2026 at 18:44
Primoz Roglic slipped from second to third overall at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana after a difficult day on Puerto El Bartolo increased his deficit to Tadej Pogacar from 3:21 to 4:21.
Roglic was unable to follow Pogacar’s attack on the steep gravel section and then watched Enric Mas ride away from the chasing group to catch the red jersey.
Pogacar and Mas reached the finish together, with Roglic crossing 46 seconds later alongside Felix Gall, Richard Carapaz, Harold Tejada and Ramses Debruyne.
The result moved Mas above the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe leader into second overall. The Spaniard now trails Pogacar by 3:34 and holds a 47-second advantage over Roglic.
Roglic suffers on Puerto El Bartolo
“It was hard, it was hard,” Roglic told Domestique and other reporters after Stage 6. “I was suffering today and, wow, I’m happy that I’m at the finish line.”
UAE Team Emirates – XRG had reduced the day’s breakaway to little more than one minute before the decisive climb. Jay Vine and Pablo Torres controlled the group of favourites before Pogacar accelerated with four kilometres remaining to the summit.
Oscar Onley briefly followed, while Roglic remained with Mas, Carapaz and Gall. Mas subsequently rode away from that group and produced a remarkable pursuit to catch Pogacar shortly before the summit.
Roglic and Gall crossed approximately 30 seconds behind the leading pair. Debruyne joined them during the descent, where Roglic decided against taking unnecessary risks on the narrow and technical roads. “I went slower... so, no risk,” he explained.
That caution contrasted with Pogacar’s approach. The red jersey attempted to place Mas under pressure but skidded off the road, narrowly avoiding a crash after being forced to unclip beside a ditch.
The incident allowed Roglic, Gall and Debruyne to close within 13 seconds. Carapaz and Tejada subsequently joined them, but the five chasers lost ground again once Pogacar and Mas began working together on the flatter approach to Castellon de la Plana.
Roglic cannot guarantee improvement
Roglic arrived at the Vuelta pursuing a record fifth overall victory, but his participation had been uncertain after a training crash disrupted his preparations. Despite remaining third overall, he would not say that his best form was beginning to return.
“We don’t know,” Roglic said. “Maybe we’ll be just worse than this. But at the end we have to accept it the way we’ll be. There is always still hope.”
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Pogacar’s advantage over Roglic has now moved beyond four minutes, while Mas has established himself as the closest challenger to the red jersey. Roglic will begin the Stage 7 summit finish at Aramon Valdelinares third overall, 47 seconds behind Mas.
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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- Pogačar and Mas going 1 - 2 like it's Il Lombardia 2022. What an amazing climb by Mas. Seriously. Is he suddenly positioned to be second to a Slovenian, once again?RidesHills27-08-2026
- Sure no problem you can shut up if you wantabstractengineer27-08-2026
- Not many million... just a little over two million of Slovenians...PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- I have huge bollocks... 🩸 😂😂PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- YesPogiSloFans27-08-2026
- It was very admirable that Josh even started the Vuelta in the first place. I can't begin to imagine what he's had to deal with for the past couple of weeks.
santiagobenites27-08-2026 - Noabstractengineer27-08-2026
- I said what I said, so shush. Capish?PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- Some are saying Pogačar has the best team around him. My bollocks... his team at the Vuelta is so "good" that his only serious help is Vine - who hasn't finished a single race since January and Pablo Torres - who had knee surgery 4 months ago and this is his first grand tour. Almeida is overrated, always was, just like Ayuso. You all have to realize that Pogi alone is a TEAM. God gave Pogi almost everything...talent as if it came directly from him... health, fame... he is a sports icon. He rules the world. Ad acta!!! PS: OMG, I'm using the word God... but I'm an atheist :))PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- Alright the first thing he said was wrong, Seixas did Dauphine, 8 days, already last year. Also, the logical conclusion is that Pogacar had a lot more room for improvementvappaxbipmv27-08-2026
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