MADRID: Primoz Roglic won the Vuelta a Espana for a record-equalling fourth time on Sunday, the perfect pick-me-up after crashing out of the Tour de France. The Slovenian wrapped up his fifth-career Grand Tour when he finished second in the closing time-trial on the streets of Madrid won by Stefan Kung.

“It’s crazy - already four, I just want to enjoy it” he said before hugging his wife Lora and children. Ben O’Connor finished runner-up overall with Spain’s Enric Mas completing the podium. With the sun setting on the streets of the Spanish capital Roglic, 34, drew level with Spaniard Roberto Heras for number of wins in the season’s third and closing Grand Tour.

Roglic finished the race 2min 36sec up on O’Connor, with Mas (Movistar) third at 3:13. After 81 hours, 49 minutes and 18 seconds in the saddle an exhausted but happy Roglic said: “This is nice! The more you go to an end, you just want to finish it off.

“There’s a lot of sacrificing, not only by me, but also my family, everyone around me. We all live for it. I just feel happy I can do it. I really appreciate all the support from the people around me.” Roglic, riding for Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe team, had to fight for the red jersey after a gruelling race that began three weeks ago in Portugal and featured some of the toughest climbs the sport has to offer.

He won stage four to take the overall lead but then O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team) burst to the top of the general classification by almost five minutes. Roglic slowly chipped away at the Australian’s massive cushion with a bunch of strong mountain place finishes.

He reclaimed the leader’s red jersey after his third win on stage 19. This Vuelta triumph went a long way to making up for the disappointment of his Tour de France-ending crash before stage 13. His success completed Slovenia’s domination of the 2024 Grand Tours, with his countryman Tadej Pogacar winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. “Incredible” observed Roglic of his country’s success.

‘Big celebration’

While he may not have won, O’Connor was jubilant over his breakthrough first ever Grand Tour podium. “I wasn’t expecting this, I expected to be good but not second overall. This calls for a pretty big celebration!” said the 28-year-old Aussie, who wore the red jersey for 13 stages.

Kung took the final day honors for his first Grand Tour stage win at the last throw of the dice in his 12th appearance in either the Giro, Tour or Vuelta. “It’s been a long time in the making” the Swiss time trial expert said.

“It’s always nice if you win with more than half a minute,” added Kung, who completed the 24km 21st stage 31sec faster than Roglic. “It shows that you were the best, there was no coincidence.” One of the big names in the peloton who failed to make it to Madrid was Wout Van Aert.

The Belgian star claimed three Vuelta stages to occupy the top of the points (green) and mountain classifications only to suffer a heavy fall which not only ended his race but also his season. With Van Aert’s race cut short, the mountains and green jersey competitions, went to two Australians - Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin Deceuninck). — AFP