Published August 15, 2022 03:03AM
Jumbo-Visma gives Primož Roglič the green light for Vuelta a España
Sepp Kuss and Rohan Dennis make part of the Dutch team for the final grand tour of the season.
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 05: Primoz Roglic of Slovenia and Team Jumbo - Visma celebrates winning the red leader jersey dressed in " Camino de Santiago" pilgrim outfit on the podium ceremony in the Plaza del Obradoiro with the Cathedral in the background after the 76th Tour of Spain 2021, Stage 21 a 33,8 km Individual Time Trial stage from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela / @lavuelta / #LaVuelta21 / ITT / on September 05, 2021 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Jumbo-Visma has confirmed that Primož Roglič will race the Vuelta a España (August 19 to September 11) with the Slovenian set to lead the team in his quest to win a fourth straight title.
Roglič has not raced since abandoning the Tour de France in July. He crashed on stage 5 and suffered several injuries, including a dislocated shoulder. He battled through until the third week but eventually quit in order to regain his form and fitness for a possible Vuelta Espana tilt.
Also read: Vuelta a España preview: Fireworks assured even without the ‘Big Four’
The three-time Vuelta winner returned to training roughly a fortnight ago but the team were reluctant to make plans. Sepp Kuss was mentioned for a possible ‘free role’ as late as Friday with the team management and doctors scheduling a call for Monday morning in order to make final decision over Roglič’s possible participation. That call concluded with the team deciding to go all-in on Roglič.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We are delighted that Primoz can start in the Vuelta after his serious injury in the Tour de France. Logically, he didn’t have the best preparation, but we greatly respect him for how he managed to get ready,” said lead sports director Merijn Zeeman.
“We have a good and balanced team at the start that can optimally support Primoz in all areas. It is a pity that Koen Bouwman will not make it to the start due to his injury. We would have loved to see him in the Vuelta in the great form he displayed during the last Giro d’Italia.”
Kuss is still set to race the Vuelta but his role is likely to revolve around once more supporting Roglič in the high mountains.
Rohan Dennis will also start the race. The Australian won the time trial at the Commonwealth Games earlier this month but then missed the road race due to illness. He was taken to hospital for tests and now looks set to start his first grand tour in Jumbo-Visma colors.