“That broke me in the end, I froze...” – Primoz Roglic admits disappointment after Itzulia collapse but refuses to wave the white flag just yet

Primoz Roglic has openly admitted he was “broken” by the demands of the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country, after a late collapse saw him fall from general classification contention to 16th overall.

The Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader had been firmly in the mix through the opening half of the race, sitting among the top contenders and within striking distance of the podium.

But a difficult final two stages, culminating in a chaotic and rain-hit finale, saw his challenge unravel completely.

Taking to Instagram after the race, Roglic did not hide from the reality of how his week ended. “Tough week in the Itzulia Basque Country that broke me in the end, I froze…” he wrote.

The blunt assessment reflects a race that shifted sharply against him. After losing ground on the decisive stage 5 around Eibar, Roglic entered the final day still within touching distance of the podium. But under pressure in difficult conditions, he was unable to limit his losses, slipping dramatically down the standings.

The result was a stark contrast to his position earlier in the week, turning what had been a controlled general classification ride into a significant setback.

Despite that, Roglic made clear that the disappointment does not change his mindset moving forward. “Disappointed, but no white flag yet.”

While the result will raise questions about his condition and trajectory, Roglic’s message was one of resilience rather than frustration. “We keep fighting.”

He also took a moment to acknowledge the support around him, even as results have become harder to deliver. “Also, to my fans, I thank you and love you all. I know it’s not easy.”

It is a short message, but one that carries weight. Roglic does not attempt to explain away the result or deflect responsibility. Instead, he accepts the outcome and looks ahead.

Roglic’s Itzulia ultimately became a race of two halves, from early contention to late collapse. His own words confirm that the final stages did not just cost him time, but pushed him to his limit. The response now will define what comes next.