Primoz Roglic and Team LottoNL-Jumbo have won the overall classification in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco. In a tough and final stage, Roglic was pressured all the time but managed to hold on and defend his lead despite a heavy crash. For the 28-year-old Slovenian it is his third win of the season and his first win in a World Tour stage race. For Team LottoNL-Jumbo it is the tenth victory this spring.

In the short stage with no less than eight climbs it was a real race from the beginning. After only two kilometres there was a massive crash in which also leader Roglic was involved. Roglic was brought back by his Team LottoNL-Jumbo teammates to the front peloton after which he got seriously tested by the competition. On the steep final climb, Roglic could no longer keep up with the attacking Landa, but he managed to secure the overall win. For Team LottoNL-Jumbo it is the second overall victory in a World Tour stage race. Last year George Bennett won the Tour of California.

“This was tougher than I and the team expected beforehand”, a visibly battered Roglic said. “Unfortunately I crashed hard, just after the neutral start. I have abrasions, but all in all it is not too bad. From that moment on, other teams went full gas and the race was on. It was difficult to get back in the front. The team has done an excellent job. I am very proud and grateful. In the end it was mainly a game of poker and I tried to not give them any impressions of how I felt on the bike. On the final climb I knew that I had secured the overall win because the climb was not too long. This was a main goal and I succeeded. In the future I hope to win even more of such a great stage races and who knows one day I can also do well in a Grand Tour.”

Sports director Grischa Niermann was very happy with the win. “This was an exciting and stressful stage. I am glad that it is finished and that we have won the overall with Primoz. I am proud of the team, how they all worked for each other throughout the day and week, but especially at Primoz how he stayed calm despite his heavy crash. The team has given one hundred percent to get him back in the front. As a result, Primoz was all by himself in the final, but he played it cool and nicely. My compliments for what the team has achieved this week. This is a team effort.”

Video: Roglic after today's stage