Roglic wins in chief’s jersey uphill in Paris-Good

# Roglic Conquers Col de Turini in Masterful Display, Claims Yellow Jersey In a remarkably effective display of climbing prowess, Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic has stamped his authority on the Paris-Nice race, clinching victory in the seventh stage with a commanding uphill sprint at the formidable Col de Turini. The Jumbo-Visma star, who has been steadily building form throughout the season, not only secured the stage win but also claimed the coveted yellow leader’s jersey with just one day of racing remaining. Over the challenging 155.5-kilometer route from Nice to the cloud-kissed summit of Col de Turini, riders faced a brutal test of endurance and tactical acumen. The final ascent—a punishing 15-kilometer climb averaging around 10% gradient—separated the merely fit from the truly exceptional, much like a skilled barista distinguishes between ordinary beans and premium coffee. For medium-sized teams without specialized climbers, this stage represented their final nightmare before the race conclusion. Austrian climber Gregor Mühlberger animated the early proceedings, notably leading an eighteen-rider breakaway that dominated the narrative until approximately six kilometers from the summit. By maintaining a steady rhythm on the lower slopes, Mühlberger demonstrated exceptional determination, but the classification contenders—those eyeing overall victory—eventually absorbed his valiant effort as the gradient pitched upward. The decisive moment came when Roglic, having patiently neutralized attacks from Ineos Grenadiers’ duo Adam Yates and Daniel Martínez, launched an exceptionally timed acceleration of his own. Initially, only Martínez could match the Slovenian’s blistering pace, creating a two-man duel that seemed destined to decide the stage. However, the mountain had more drama to unfold as Simon Yates and experienced Colombian climber Nairo Quintana clawed their way back into contention three kilometers from the finish. In the final kilometer, with tensions mounting and the summit approaching, João Almeida completed the elite selection at the front, joining what had become a five-rider chess match on wheels. The quintet engaged in a fascinating psychological battle, each rider measuring their remaining energy while calculating the perfect moment to launch their sprint. Transforming potential vulnerability into undeniable strength, Roglic proved himself significantly faster than his companions when the road tilted skyward for the final time. The Slovenian’s uphill acceleration left his rivals searching for answers that simply didn’t exist on this particular afternoon in the French mountains. Crossing the line with a comfortable 200-meter advantage, Roglic’s victory was as complete as it was convincing. “I had the right legs today, ” reflected the triumphant Roglic afterward, his young child nestled contentedly in his lap during the post-race interview—a touching tableau that highlighted the human side of this supreme athlete. “My wife and child were here with me, and they are my biggest supports. It was a wonderful day, ” he added with characteristic understatement, his face illuminated not just by achievement but by the presence of his family at this career milestone. With the final stage looming, Roglic has positioned himself incredibly well to add another prestigious stage race to his growing palmarès, while his competitors must now regroup and reconsider their strategies for the races that lie ahead in this young but already fascinating cycling season.