After a leading group of seven was caught, partly due to the work of Team Jumbo-Visma, Roglic attacked on the final climb together with three other riders. After they were reeled in, the later stage winner Aranburu accelerated. Jonas Vingegaard lost some seconds in the last hectometres on the group with Roglic and is now seventh overall after stage two.

“I’m happy that I still have the yellow jersey”, Roglic said. “It was a very tough stage. In the beginning some rain, cold and sometimes the roads were very slippery. The race was full throttle all day. On the final climb I felt good and attacked. I was in the lead with a good group, but unfortunately we got caught. I feel good and I am glad I can compete with the best again.”

Sports director Frans Maassen witnessed that his leader was doing well today. “Everything is still close in the GC after today and everything can still happen. The stage was difficult to control because of the many attacks in the final. Primoz was very good today and we look forward to the next stages.”