And then it was three

Roglič takes third Vuelta in a row, Yates is fourth

- James Shrubsall

Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) joined the Club Tres on Sunday when he won the Vuelta an España for the third year in the row, beating Enric Mas (Movistar) into second place by nearly five minutes. Aussie Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious) had a breakthrough ride to take third – his first-ever Grand Tour podium placing.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s crazy,” Roglič, 31, said afterwards. “Sometimes you win by a big difference, sometimes by a little. But any way of winning is fantastic. We watched it day by day. I did my best and enjoyed it. I am honoured to win for the third time.”

Other riders who have won the Spanish Tour on three occasions are Tony Rominger, Alberto Contador and Roberto Heras – the only four-time winner.

British interest at the race included Ineos Grenadiers’s Tom Pidcock and Adam Yates. The latter, who had targeted the GC from the outset, worked his way up through the GC after a slow start to finish fourth.

“We had some good days and some bad days,” said Yates afterwards. “For me, it’s my first Grand Tour with my new team. I enjoyed every moment. Not every day was perfect but it’s something to build on for next year and the years after that.”