Primoz Roglic opens up on time penalty for drafting at 2024 Vuelta a Espana - ‘I don't like it but I cannot change it’

Primoz Roglic chose to look at his time penalty incurred on Stage 15 of the Vuelta a Espana as something out of his control, despite admitting that he didn't "like it". He also had kind words for his Vuelta a Espana general classification rival Ben O’Connor ahead of the final week of the Grand Tour, which culminates in Madrid this Sunday.

Cycling - La Vuelta - Stage 15 - Short Highlights

Video credit: TNT Sports

After receiving a 20-second time penalty at the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday, GC contender Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) was philosophical rather than frustrated.

Roglic was 43 seconds down on race leader Ben O’Connor following a huge effort on the final climb to Cuitu Negru when - following the finish of the stage - race judges decided to sanction the Slovenian with a 20-second penalty because of drafting behind a team car.

Speaking on Monday to reporters, Roglic said: “About the time penalty I got yesterday, I cannot really change it.

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“They put me 20 seconds more to get back. Like I said, if I agree or disagree… For sure I don’t like it, it’s better with 20 less, but, OK, I also have to go with 20 seconds more.”

Roglic also discussed his rival O’Connor, saying: “He’s in really good shape, definitely.

“He’s a great rider, he already achieved some really big results, so in those terms, it’s not such a big surprise that he’s leading the race.

Roglic comments post-stage leave Blythe 'baffled'

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“He gained the time with an incredible performance, he just rode alone away from all of us, and for the moment he’s still riding really strong.”

Roglic also dismissed any notion that he might be entering the final stages of his career as he will turn 35 at the end of September.

“No, don’t ask this,” he said when it was put to him.

“I still feel 18 inside. But yes, when you wake up, it’s definitely not the same as when you’re 20 years old," he explained.

“The older you get, the more things start to come out, but for the moment it’s a pleasure to be still racing with those young guys around.

“It keeps me young, as long as I can be in this circle. Hopefully I can stay there as long as possible, or for as long as I enjoy it and like it.”

Blythe 'baffled' by Roglic post-stage comments

Eurosport expert Adam Blythe was left confused after Stage 15 when Roglic's post-stage interviews seemed to indicate that he thought he had lost time to O'Connor on the climb rather than the other way around.

Blythe, speaking on Eurosport's The Breakaway afterwards, tried to diagnose how the Slovenian had been so mistaken.

"I am baffled by how he [Roglic] thinks he lost time," Blythe began.

Blythe continued: "You can see where people are, and when they went into the fog it's not like there was this huge big highway where people could disappear and ride past you.

"I am so shocked that he was like 'don't know where Ben O'Connor was'.

Confusion reigns as Roglic appears to think he finished behind O'Connor - despite gaining time

Video credit: TNT Sports

"He's obviously very happy with where he's at after having that news, but it just shows really, I think we can say it's the effort and just concentrating and looking down at his power meter.

"Because in these efforts, looking at your power meter might be all they've got in terms of 'I cannot go above this number, I need to keep pushing to this number, I can get to this number'.

"But anyway it's irrelevant, he's gained time, he'll be happy with it, and that's that."

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Thoughts?