Roglic Triumphs in Mountain Stage to Take Vuelta Lead

Three-time champion Primoz Roglic clinched the first mountain stage of this year's Vuelta a Espana to seize the race leader's red jersey, Eurosport reported. The Slovenian surpassed Belgian Lennert Van Eetvelt at the finish line to win the grueling 14km fourth stage climb to Pico Villuercas, run in intense heat.

Van Eetvelt initially celebrated prematurely, raising his arm just as Roglic overtook him. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's Roglic was 30 seconds behind general classification leader Wout van Aert after the first three stages but took the overall lead when the latter lost more than 16 minutes during the 170km stage.

"It wasn't the main goal to win the stage, but seeing the guys fighting hard in this heat, I was happy to finish it off," Roglic told Eurosport. He secured his 13th career Vuelta stage win, maintaining his record of clinching at least one stage in all six of his Vuelta appearances.

Defending champion Sepp Kuss struggled, crossing the line 28 seconds behind his former teammate and now trails Roglic by 1:14 in the general classification.

On the final climb, Roglic led the chase alongside Van Eetvelt, Enric Mas, Joao Almeida, and others, eventually overcoming them with a final surge. Almeida finished third on the stage and sits second in the overall standings, trailing Roglic by eight seconds. Mas, who also fought back on the final stretch, is third overall, 32 seconds behind.

In the heated 170km stage through lambasting Extremadura, notable front-tierrsmaneuver included climbs by Red Bull’s Bruno Armirail and Pablo Castrillo, who built a lead chased diligently by Roglic’s team. On the concrete section with 5km remaining, Austria’s Felix Gall made a significant move, only to be reeled in by a determined Van Eetvelt, Mas, Riccitello, and Almeida. Ultimately, American Kaden Groves edged Concello's Van Aert, reclaiming the green jersey during intermediate sprints.

Stage four wrapped up with Roglic thanking his teammates for their persistent effort, and also acknowledging ongoing shoulder pain from a July injury. "Tough conditions and ongoing adversity didn't stop us; a day-by-day grind though is our motive," Roglic reflected.

Kuss, finishing 11th, admitted the extreme heat posed additional challenges: "The heat was punishing, making the climb’s outset tense and nervous," he noted. "The trial was difficult, but although 20 to 30 seconds back, he remains positive. Continuing: "Roglic reverted as a procedural favorite – undoubtedly establishing his prowess from the early climb."

Monday’s Stage 5 involves a mostly flat 177km venture into Andalusia, inviting contenders Van Aert and Groves and setting the scene for an anticipated sprinters' showdown.

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