Primoz Roglic - who can smell overall Vuelta victory - reacts to rumors of illness within Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe

There was probably a good scare for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Saturday afternoon when no fewer than three (!) riders dropped out of the Vuelta a España with symptoms of illness. The team reportedly suffered from food poisoning or a salmonella outbreak, although leader and red jersey holder Primoz Roglic was not affected so much.

Indeed, the Slovenian managed to maintain his leading position easily and heads into the final trial in Madrid with a generous lead over Ben O'Connor (who feels Enric Mas is getting closer). When asked in the flash interview if Roglic was aware of the illness symptoms Saturday morning, he shook his head for a long time. "It's not going so well, but this Vuelta is already advanced. Then everyone has problems and headaches," he explained in a somewhat characterizing fashion.

Can Roglic compete for the stage win in Madrid?

Roglic looks cool as ever but usually walks onto the podium wearing a mouth cap as a precaution. While many social media outlets spoke of food poisoning, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe spoke of "fatigue" in Patrick Gamper, Nico Denz, and Daniel Felipe Martinez. "I have a lot of respect for my teammates for giving everything they had. I am doing well, at the moment, anyway. It was a good day," the 34-year-old Roglic pointed out.

"We worked a lot the last few weeks, and then I must finish it. It's as simple as that," concluded the ex-ski jumper in Roglic fashion. The GC leader was also clear about the last time trial in Madrid. "We are one day closer than yesterday, a step in the right direction. But tomorrow is another day for the GC. The time trial course should suit me, but I always repeat that I am not a specialist. I just have to give it my all," the former Olympic champion concluded in a modest tone.

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