Primoz Roglic (Slovenia) will forever be etched in the winner's photo of the men's elite time trial at the 2019 UCI Road World Championships. Denis defended his title, but as he crossed the finish line to receive a powerful congratulations, Roglic sank into the shadow of the Australian. For the winner of the Vuelta a España, this was a race too far. In the end, the Slovenian finished 12th on the 54-km course. 'The result wasn't great, but considering my strength, I did what I set out to do. I just wasn't strong enough," Roglic told Cycling News after the finish, stretching his tired legs. [Time trials are not short. It's a special discipline, and you need special preparation for something like this. So I just wanted to come out here and do my best," he said. Roglic's best was a far cry from the level he has maintained for most of the season. The 29-year-old began his campaign in February and was in or near top form until he took a break in June; he returned to competition at the Vuelta in August and took an undisputed win, but his form and focus understandably dipped in the weeks following his first Grand Tour win. I couldn't do much," he said. You can't win the Vuelta every day, so I tried to enjoy the moment. I tried to enjoy the moment, and I tried to enjoy it here, too. He started the time trial off the pace and was 22nd and 16th in the first two time checks. When Dennis passed him, the Slovenian was quick to react, using the Australian's pace setting as an indicator for the final stages of his effort. When he passed me, it was a blow to my morale, but I did the best I could. I still kept pushing until the finish. But I don't train for time trials. I am definitely disappointed with the result, but I wasn't disappointed with anything else. I couldn't have hoped for more power. I just did my best today. If I had planned all year to win here I would be disappointed, but for me I achieved other things. I am a GC rider, and of all the riders I usually fight with, there were not many in front of me today. Still, I want to be as perfect a rider as possible. A time trial like this is a new challenge, but I will certainly learn something." There is still one men's road race left on the World Championships program. It is not hard to imagine that the Slovenian will get a second wind after struggling in the time trial, but he heads into the competition feeling no pressure. "We'll see what happens. I still have a lot of pain from the Vuelta," he said. We'll see how it goes." I'm not famous in road racing, and it's only my second road race world championship, so I have a lot to learn." Nevertheless, at least Roglic has a photo to commemorate his victory.