"We cyclists always have a hard time" - Primoz Roglic 'survives' first week at La Vuelta still very much in the Red Jersey battle

Stage 9 of the 2023 Vuelta a Espana was a day packed with drama and talking points. Speaking afterwards, Jumbo-Visma's Primoz Roglic was more welcoming the end of the first week.

“We started really full, all-in. After that I thought we were going to take it easier, because everyone had already put in some effort. However, we just keep going and going,” the Slovenian superstar told Eurosport in his post-stage interview, referencing a chaotic start to the stage that saw Jumbo-Visma go on the attack in the early wind. 

Due to concerns over mud on the final climb of the day, times were taken at 2.05km from the finish line. Roglic made a late, powerful sprint before that marker to put his rivals into difficulty but even as they eased the final 2km, the climb was still a challenging one.

“The final climb was really tough. We cyclists always have a hard time, everywhere. I felt good," Roglic concluded before reflecting on the first week as a whole. "How do I look back on this week? I've survived it. I am still here and I enjoyed it."