Team LottoNL-Jumbo has started the Vuelta al Pais Vasco in an excellent way with the second place of Primoz Roglic. The 28-year-old from Slovenia impressed on the climbs in the opening stage from and to Zarautz. In the final sprint he had to acknowledge his superior in breakaway companion Julian Alaphilippe.

Roglic was well protected all day by his teammates of Team LottoNL-Jumbo and was perfectly positioned at the ascent of the final climb. On the short but very steep hill Roglic immediately forced the pace after which only Alaphilippe could join.

“Primoz proved today that he is very strong”, sports director Grischa Niermann said. “We are here with one purpose and that is to go for the overall classification with Primoz. Today was a very tough stage with five climbs, but the team did a good job all day and perfectly dropped off Primoz at the final climb. The plan was for Primoz to force the pace from the beginning of the climb and to see who was still in his wheel on top. We would have liked to win, but that did not happen today. We started well and that gives us confidence for the rest of the week."