2023-09-14 20:48:00
Sepp Kuss truly experiences a peculiar Vuelta a España. The 179 kilometers between Pola de Allande and the mountain finish in La Cruz de Linares might hardly have been in greater contrast to the events of the previous day.
A day later, everything seems to be right once more at Jumbo-Visma.
“At the moment Jonas Vingegaard is driving exemplary like a teammate,” enthused Eurosport expert Jens Voigt on Thursday followingnoon two kilometers before arriving in La Cruz de Linares. After all, the Dane was only eight seconds behind Kuss in the overall standings, an attack might have knocked out the American – but that was out of the question on the 18th stage.
Vingegaard: “Today was regarding protecting Sepp”
“If the two (Vingegaard and Roglic; editor’s note) give up the overall victory for Sepp Kuss, then that is also a great thing from a human perspective,” continued Voigt. “They say to themselves: ‘We’re giving this to Sepp because he was simply strong and served us for many years.’ But of course we’re not in Madrid yet.”
After the jumbo stars had finally rolled over the finish line, Kuss, who was able to extend his lead in the overall standings to 17 seconds, and Vingegaard answered questions – and were in the same vein as Voigt.
United Jumbo forces on the mountain – Kiss defends Red
“Today was regarding protecting Sepp,” Vingegaard explained exclusively to Eurosport. “Of course there is still a pretty tough stage on the program on Saturday, so we have to be very careful. We will have to fight until Madrid.”
When asked how much Kuss appreciated the efforts of him and Giro winner Roglic, Vingegaard looked deeply: “Of course it’s great to be able to give it back to him, to do something for him. He has so much for Primoz and made me, today I wanted to return the favor.”
Kuss thanks Vingegaard: “It drives wonderfully for me”
Kiss: Vingegaard “drove wonderfully for me”
Kuss appreciated the support of his comrades and then raved regarding the successful teamwork in La Cruz de Linares.
“First of all, I would like to say that the guys did a great job, I was pulled all day. Jonas set a really strong pace,” said Kuss and let it be known: “I was a little afraid of that too, because it was so easy ‘ Speed is not necessarily easy for others. But he drove really wonderfully for me.”
Kuss thanks Vingegaard: “It drives wonderfully for me”
Kuss then revealed that Jumbo-Visma had recently agreed on two strategies. “We as a team and the three of us among ourselves had agreed on two strategies: one up to the Angliru stage and one for followingwards.” A sign that the Dutch racing team was also keen to ensure clear conditions at the top of the overall ranking following the drama of the previous day.
But Kuss doesn’t want to devote too much thought to his upcoming overall victory. After all, the 29-year-old still has four stages ahead of him before the biggest coup of his career.
“It’s getting closer and closer. There’s a slightly easier stage tomorrow, but we have to stay focused,” he kept a low profile. “The 20th stage will be long and hard once more. We’re out of the mountains, but there are still difficult parts.”
Mental Monster! Evenepoel completes the triple with a dream solo
1694730364
#Vuelta #JumboVisma #Sepp #Kuss #Jonas #Vingegaard #puts #service #leader
