Primož Roglič penalized, set to respond in Thursday’s time trial

Primož Roglič has been penalized, but the Slovenian rider will have a chance to answer on the time trial course Thursday. He ended the second week of the Vuelta a España in third place, while the race now enters its final rest day with 150 riders still in the peloton.

The last week promises to be exceptionally demanding, as befits a three-week race. Temperatures have remained extremely high in Spain since the beginning of summer, and riders have repeatedly complained about the heat.

Roglič paid a penalty during Stage 15 for holding onto a team car for too long with what the article describes as a “sticky bottle.” The previous stage, finishing in Córdoba, was shortened to 110 kilometers because of the temperatures. The reduced distance produced an explosive race.

Wout van Aert emerged as the main figure of the day. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider, who is building form ahead of the world championships, had already won two stages during the second week. His teammate also impressed at the finish. The time trial on Thursday is now the most eagerly awaited event of the third week.