29/10/2023

VIDEO: Celebrating Primoz Roglic's birthday with a look back at his epic, Giro d'Italia-winning time-trial on Monte Lussari

As Primoz Roglic celebrates his 34th birthday today (October 29th), we thought we'd look back at one of the Slovenian's greatest ever rides as he secured himself victory of the 2023 Giro d'Italia in incredibly dramatic circumstances.

Starting the penultimate stage of the Giro d'Italia, trailing Geraint Thomas by 26 seconds, Roglic and everyone watching knew a monumental effort would be required to overturn the deficit on the stage 20, individual time-trial up the brutally steep climb of Monte Lussari.

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Roglic knew better than anyone how the race could turn on a decisive final time-trial having seen the Tour de France slip through his fingers to Tadej Pogacar in similar circumstances. On this day though, absolutely nothing would stop the then Jumbo-Visma leader from adding a fourth Grand Tour to his impressive palmares.

A lightning fast bike change compared to a rather lethargic swap for Thomas started the ball rolling. Once on the final climb though, disaster struck for Roglic as the worst timed mechanicals in history brought him to a standstill in the steep slopes. Incredibly though, a former ski-jumping teammate of Roglic's was at the side of the road at the very point the chain slip occurred and his fast thinking helped the Slovenian get back up and going.

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After crossing the line miles in front of anyone who had gone previously all Roglic and Jumbo-Visma could do was wait. Would Thomas be able to claw back the deficit in the final run-in? Had the chain slip proved crucial? The answers would be no and no.

Roglic took the stage win by 40 seconds ahead of the Welshman, giving him the Maglia Rosa by just 14 seconds overall.

Watch all the drama and emotion of one of the most thrilling time-trials of all time down below!

"I probably would have won it as well, without trying to sound like a d*ck" - Geraint Thomas believes he 'definitely would've been 15 seconds better' at the Giro d'Italia if not for a pre-race infection

Utterly incredible from Primož Roglič 🤯

From heartbroken to hero - experience one of the most dramatic time trials in pro cycling history alongside Team Jumbo-Visma on @RoadCode 😱

🎥 Watch: https://t.co/r0Ow8czOo2
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🇮🇹 #Giro pic.twitter.com/oyUB69m0YA
— Road Code (@RoadCode) May 28, 2023