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Primož Roglič edged out well-known competition in the Basque Country
Photo: Juan Herrero / EPA
The Slovenian professional cyclist Primož Roglič won the start of the Tour of the Basque Country and celebrated his first success for the German team Bora-hansgrohe. The 34-year-old set the clear fastest time in the opening time trial in Irun on Easter Monday in 12:31 minutes.
"I am very happy. I almost missed the finish in the end, but otherwise I really enjoyed it today," said Roglič, who took a wrong turn in the final phase.
At the finish, Roglič was seven seconds ahead of the Australian Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates), while the Dane Mattias Skeljmose (Lidl-Trek/+10 seconds) came third. Belgian time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), who crashed in a corner, was another second behind. Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard (Visma – Lease a Bike/+0:18) also had nothing to oppose Roglič in fifth place.
Schachmann also in good early form
The best German was Roglič's teammate Maximilian Schachmann (Berlin), who continued to show improving form in eighth place (+16). The two-time Paris-Nice winner had already impressed Miguel Indurain with ninth place in the strong Gran Premio one-day race on Saturday.
For Roglič, who won the Tour of the Basque Country in 2018 and 2021, the victory was a liberating blow. His first appearance for Bora-Hansgrohe in March was disappointing. At Paris-Nice, the four-time Grand Tour winner was still far from his best. Roglič is expected to bring Bora-hansgrohe the first podium in Paris at the Tour de France in the summer.
Roglič's lead in the overall ranking of the Tour of the Basque Country should not be in danger on Tuesday. The 160 km long second stage from Irun to Kanbo over undulating terrain does not offer enough difficulties.
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