Vuelta a Espana results: Primož Roglic wins stage one to secure first red jersey

Slovenia’s Primož Roglic, who rides for Team Jumbo Visma, claimed victory on the 173km opening stage of the Vuelta a Espana, which culminated on the tough Alto de Arrate climb today.

The defending champion led a group of seven riders home after an acceleration in the finale of the five-kilometre ascent that finished high above the town of Arrate.

He crossed the line in 4:22:34, one second ahead of Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) and Ireland’s Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation), to secure the race’s first red jersey.

Colombia’s Esteban Chaves, Austria’s Felix Großschartner and Spain’s Enric Mas – runner-up in 2018 – finished in the same time, with Britain’s Hugh Carthy and America’s Sepp Kuss four and 10 seconds back respectively.

Stefan de Bod, who made his Grand Tour debut for NTT Pro Cycling today, was the leading South African, finishing 8:32 down in 57th position.

“The stage was already quite hard and then on the final climb I think we were all suffering,” said Roglic.

“I am just super happy to win it (red jersey) again. It’s quite a strange season with a lot of stress, but it’s super nice that in these times we can do some races.”

Chris Froome’s dream of a third Vuelta title ended early when he was dropped on the penultimate climb. He eventually crossed the line in 72nd, 11:12 behind Roglic.

Results:

1	Primož Roglic	SLV	Jumbo Visma	4:22:34
2	Richard Carapaz	ECU	Ineos Grenadiers	+0:01
3	Dan Martin	IRE	Israel Start-Up Nation
4	Esteban Chaves	COL	Mitchelton-Scott
5	Felix Großschartner	AUS	BORA-hansgrohe
6	Enric Mas	ESP	Movistar Team
7	Hugh Carthy	GBR	EF Pro Cycling	+0:04
8	Sepp Kuss	USA	Jumbo Visma	+0:10
9	George Bennett	NZI	Jumbo Visma	+0:40
10	Andrea Bagioli	ITA	Deceuninck-Quick Step	+0:51

*Selected

57	Stefan de Bod	RSA	NTT Pro Cycling	+8:32
87	Reinardt Janse van Resnburg	RSA	NTT Pro Cycling	+14:35
95	Willie Smit	RSA	Burgos-BH	+15:20
98	Nic Dlamini	RSA	NTT Pro Cycling