Slovenian cyclist wins Volta a Catalunya with final-stage victory

Slovenian cyclist Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) has won the Volta a Catalunya with a searing solo on the steepest part of the final stage on 30 March to strip Spain's Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) of his leader's jersey.

The 35-year-old launched his attack on the Montjuic with 20 kilometres to go and maintained his lead all the way to the finish line, after the two had battled for bonus sprint seconds to exchange the provisional leader's jersey several times, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

Ayuso, who had a one-second lead after the previous weather-shortened stage, was unable to match Roglič's tempo in the final kilometres and finished second in the general classification, 28 seconds behind Roglič.

"We did well in sprint trains, but I'm not a sprinter, so I don't really care for sprints," Roglič said in his first statement after the race. He said he preferred to win races on climbs, but this time every second mattered and he had to fight until the end.

"Everything was about time for me today. I've finished this stage in second place twice before and it feels great to finally win it," he said about his career 90th stage win.

This is the 23rd victory at a multi-day race for Roglič and his first after wining La Vuelta last year.

His performance sets him up to be a serious contender in the coming Grand Tours.

In May he plans to contest the Giro d'Italia, which he won in 2023, and in July he will take on the Tour de France, which has so far proved elusive.

His Slovenian arch-rival Tadej Pogačar will not defend his Giro title from last year but plans to chase his fourth Tour win.