Vuelta a Espana 2021 - ‘No risk, no glory!’ – Primoz Roglic unrepentant after Stage 10 crash

ByMarcus Foley

Published 24/08/2021 at 18:57 GMT

Primoz Roglic lost the red jersey to Odd Christian Eiking on Stage 10 of the Vuelta. The race leader crashed on the final descent into Rincon de la Victoria as he tried to put time into his GC rivals. However, the Jumbo-Visma rider had no regrets. You can watch La Vuelta live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and Eurosport.co.uk. Download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.

Primoz Roglic has no regrets after his Stage 10 crash at the Vuelta.

The stage was won by Michael Storer (DSM), with fifth-placed Odd Christian Eiking (Intermarche - Wanty - Gobert Materiaux) riding into red, after Jumbo-Visma tactically elected to relinquish the jersey. However, Roglic's attempt to put time into his main GC rivals late on in the race backfired.

Roglic made a move on the Cat.2 Puerto de Almachar but lost his back wheel and skidded on a tight, dusty bend on the descent. He remounted and rode into Rincon de la Victoria with those who he had tried to distance: Enric Mas, Miguel Angel Lopez (both Movistar) and Jack Haig (Team Bahrain Victorious).

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However, he did manage to put time into Ineos pair Egan Bernal and Adam Yates, who are now 2:29min and 2:44min behind the Slovenian on the GC respectively.

• Roglic concedes red after crash as Storer doubles up on Stage 10
• ‘Mad stuff!’ – Kelly on Roglic's Stage 10 descent antics

And, speaking after the race, Roglic said he had no regrets.

“It would have been better without the crash,” Roglic said when asked to assess the stage.

No risk, no glory. It was good!

However, Sean Kelly, speaking on the post-race Breakaway show questioned the wisdom of the move.

"Attacking on the climb is one thing but taking that risk on the descent is another," the 1988 winner of the Vuelta began.

He could have broken a collarbone or done major damage there, and he could be out of the race.

"It is not that the riders behind him are a major concern in the next few days over the big climbs. On Sunday's Stage 9, for example, [on a big climb] he was so dominant and he was able to match anybody.

"So I ask myself, 'why take this risk?'

“If the finish was at the top of the climb then fine but taking that risk on that descent: mad stuff.

The Slovenian is now in third on GC, some 2:17 in arrears to new leader Eiking, with Guillaume Martin (Cofidis, Solutions Credits) in second. La Vuelta returns on Wednesday with the hilly Stage 11 from Antequera to Valdepenas de Jaen.

Highlights: Roglic loses red on hectic Stage 10 finish as Storer doubles up

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