Could Primož Roglič's time penalty for drafting lose him the Vuelta a España?

Twenty seconds – it can be a long time in cycling

Primoz Roglic and team-mates behind team car on Stage 15 of the Vuelta a Espana 2024
(Image credit: Getty Images / Dario Belingheri)

It's hard to know what would have hurt more – the 24% gradients upon which Primož Roglič turned himself inside-out to claw back a hefty 37 seconds on the Vuelta a España GC, or being told a short while later that said 37 seconds had been sliced nearly in half by a 20-second time penalty.

Given for drafting behind his team car after swapping to a low-geared bike for the brutal finale, it could be a sanction that will come back to haunt the Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe rider long after his legs have recovered from Sunday's exertions.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

James Shrubsall

After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields.

Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.

A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.