It was the first time in five years that a Swiss rider had won the race.
But he was passed over for a Swiss rider and angrily left Phonak at the end of the season to join AG2R.
In 2009 and 2011 he was named Swiss rider of the year.
He was the first Swiss rider to win a gold medal in the jumping event since 1924 where Alphonse Gemuseus won in individual jumping.
Guerdat became the first Swiss rider to win an Olympic title in show jumping since Alphonse Gemuseus in 1924.
After doing so, the Swiss rider signed with the team for three years.
Thus, Rominger became the first Swiss rider to win the Vuelta.
"I enjoyed Colorado very much," the Swiss rider said.
He was the first Swiss rider to win a stage at the Giro since Alex Zülle in 1998.
Tony Rominger, the Swiss rider who finished second, is considered computerlike in his training and racing habits.