Primoz Roglic finished 26th in the Olympic road race in Rio de Janeiro today. The Slovenian rider of Team LottoNL-Jumbo attacked in the final part of the race, but had to let the best riders go eventually. Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium) won the race, the team's New Zealander George Bennett finished 33th, Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk took 39th.

“It was very hard,” Primoz Roglic said. “The profile was hard and it was hot. That made it selective race.

"I didn’t feel superb, so I attacked to anticipate. I felt the excitement in the peloton. It was different. Everyone knew that you only have one chance in four years to win an Olympic medal. This race is very important, it feels special.

“I spoke with George Bennett and Steven Kruijswijk before and during the race,” Roglic continued. “It’s strange to compete in different teams, but I think that we would have worked together when the situation asked for it.”

Time trial

Roglic is focusing on Wednesday’s time trial now. “I have the feeling that I have a chance at winning a medal, but it’s hard to say how big that chance will be,” he added. “I think that the level in this time trial will be the highest ever for me.”