Madrid (AFP)

Ten months later, the red jersey returns to his shoulders: the Slovenian Primoz Roglic, favorite for the treble after his successes in 2019 and 2020, won the first stage of the Tour of Spain 2021 on Saturday, a short time trial in Burgos, and made an impression on entry.

Like last year, where he won a straight stage in Arrate, Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) took control of the Vuelta from the first stage, which only involved one difficulty (the coast of Castillo, 2.1 km at 3.4% average), and assumed his status as favorite for the final victory.

Fresh Olympic champion in the time trial at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, Roglic arrives at the Tour of Spain with the ambition to forget his Tour de France prematurely ended with a retirement from the 9th stage, and to write a little more his legend by becoming the third man to achieve the hat-trick on the Vuelta, the first since Roberto Heras (2003, 2004, 2005).

Roglic finished the stage six seconds ahead of what has long been the benchmark, that of Basque rider from Astana Alex Aranburu, 2nd in 8 minutes and 38 seconds.

"I'm very happy with my time, it was enough. It was only 7 kilometers, of course, but they were very hard. We wouldn't want more at the finish," said Roglic, all smiles at the end of the stage, at the microphone of Spanish public television (TVE).

- "Very thoroughly" -

"It was very hard, from start to finish. We had to go up quickly, go down quickly, and press hard on the pedals on the flat. We will see if I keep the red jersey throughout the race. "It's already a very good start. I'm going to take advantage of it, and we'll see in the next few days," savored the Slovenian.

Slovenian Primoz Roglic, winner of the time trial of the 1st stage of the Vuelta, August 14, 2021 around Burgos ANDER GILLENEA AFP

One of the outsiders for the final victory, Briton Adam Yates (Ineos-Grenadiers), set the benchmark time by completing the short 7.1 kilometer course in 8 min 52 sec, before being swept away by Aranburu.

The Spaniard Enric Mas (Movistar), 5th overall at La Vuelta last year and candidate for the coronation this year, also had a good time on Saturday, 15th 18 seconds behind the winner.

On the French side, note the performance of Romain Bardet (DSM), who completed the stage in 14th place, 16 seconds behind Roglic.

On Sunday, the second stage will be contested on a 166.7 km flat route between Caleruega and Burgos, which celebrates the 8th centenary of its cathedral.

A course which should give pride of place to sprinters.

© 2021 AFP