Primoš Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) struggled in the closing stages of the Alto de l'Angliru on stage 12 of the Vuelta a España, losing the overall lead by 10 seconds to archrival Richard Calapaz (Ineos Grenadiers).

After Movistar and Ineos Grenadiers (Chris Froome is growing fast) provided excellent support on the early climbs, Jumbo Visma controlled the pace on the day's main climb with Robert Gesink and Jonas Vingegaard doing a great job at the front They were the driving force.

However, with 3km to go, Roglic appeared to be struggling somewhat when Enric Mas (Movistar) and Hugh Kersee (EF Pro Cycling) launched their first attacks. A kilometer later, Calapaz accelerated relentlessly, and Sepp Kuss's efforts to lead Roglic up the hill as quickly as possible were undeserved, as Roglic took the damage.

Arriving at the summit in fifth place, 10 seconds behind Calapaz, Roglic admitted that it had not been a good day for him, but added, "In the end I am happy. On Tuesday we have the time trial. I will do my best there and then see what happens.

Despite the defeat, Roglic believes the glass is half full.

"We didn't win and it certainly wasn't our best day.

Roglic said previously that he had never tackled a climb as tough as Sunday's and then reflected, "I'm not sure if I'd have won if it wasn't for that. But either way, I'm happy when I get to the top."

"I think Sepp could have gone for the win, but he had to stay and support me. Everyone was at a great level today. The overall win is the main goal, but I hope he has a chance in the future."

Grischa Niermann, sport director, added: "I think he was very strong in the last kilometer. Primos lost the jersey in the last kilometer."

"This was the other riders' best chance to attack Primosch. He was able to keep the gap.

If Roglic had taken time away from Calapaz and the other rivals in Angril, the Vuelta would have been as good as over.

We will soon find out what Logrich's defeat on the summit means in Tuesday's time trial. In Angliru, it will become clear whether this will be the point where Roglic starts to lose form in the third week of the Grand Tour, as has happened in the past.

But the exceptionally steep slopes of Angliru may have tested Roglic's climbing legs in a way that will not be repeated from here to Madrid. The Slovenian is by far the best time triallist among the GC winners, having twice gone from leader red to points leader green, but will be back in the red again on Tuesday. Watch for.