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Heading into stage 18 of the Vuelta a España, social media and information protection had been abuzz with the dilemma that Jumbo-Visma have created for themselves by their sheer dominance. With Sepp Kuss main the race by simply eight seconds and 1:08 to teammates Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič, respectively, the super-team have had a choice to make.
Most on-line reactions have been dismayed by Jumbo-Visma’s therapy of race chief Kuss, with former Vuelta winner Sean Kelly providing his personal disapproval of the scenario.
Learn extra: ‘What a load of baloney’ – Sean Kelly lambasts Roglič and Vingegaard for dropping Sepp Kuss
Earlier than the beginning of stage 18, there was even criticism from throughout the peloton, as Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) added his voice to those that really feel that Jumbo-Visma ought to be defending the lead of Kuss, relatively than letting his personal teammates chip away at his benefit.
“I really feel for Kuss, I really feel like he deserves a bit extra respect – not essentially from the [other] riders both – I believe extra from his group,” a candid Thomas informed GCN/Eurosport earlier than the stage. “I believe the group ought to be stronger with that.”
The sensation of a scarcity of respect for Kuss stems from the previous three mountain levels of the Vuelta, during which Vingegaard has taken time again at each alternative. This started on stage 13’s summit end atop the Col du Tourmalet, with the Dane attacking 8km from the end and successful alone; it continued with Vingegaard’s repeat efficiency on stage 16, and it has come to a boil with the antics of stage 17.
Getting into the ultimate 2km of the fearsome Alto de l’Angliru climb, Jumbo-Visma had the Vuelta sewn up. Their three leaders – Kuss, Vingegaard and Roglič – had dropped each different rival and had been seemingly getting into a processional ultimate few days with Kuss in pink, and his teammates locking down the general podium.
However this tranquil utopia was quickly known as into query, with Kuss struggling to carry the wheel and Roglič continuing to drive himself and Vingegaard away from their teammate and race chief.
Immediately, it was made obvious that not solely had Jumbo-Visma attacked all through the third week to safe the 1-2-3 on GC, however that they had attacked with no intention of maintaining Kuss in pink – a revelation that baffles Thomas.
“If there have been different riders round, it’s completely different, if it was shut, the combat for the rostrum for Roglič – [but] that’s just about sewn up anyway. Roglič isn’t going to win this tour, this Vuelta,” concluded the Welshman. “So there was no actual want for him to hold on to realize these additional seconds, for my part.
“He nonetheless may have received the stage and his place in third continues to be stable, so I don’t suppose he wanted to proceed at that tempo – he may have slowed up somewhat bit.”
“If you are going to race it, race it correctly”
After the stage, Roglič was trustworthy sufficient to confess that he ‘wanted to race,’ however the group’s coverage of permitting their three leaders to settle issues on the highway – except a rival is within the wheel – doesn’t maybe provide a good alternative amongst the three.
In actuality, the primary rider to assault will get the reassurance of realizing his teammates behind can not trip to shut the hole, for worry of taking a supposed rival alongside for the trip. On the Tourmalet and stage 16, this benefitted Vingegaard. On the Angliru, it was Roglič who was free to take the initiative.
Stage 17 report: Primoz Roglič leads Jumbo-Visma 1-2-3 atop Alto de l’Angliru
Thomas is of the opinion that such a recreation plan from Jumbo-Visma’s administration has led to Kuss being taken benefit of by his Roglič and Vingegaard.
“Even the day earlier than, it’s like Vingegaard attacked however it’s not like he received a minute purely from legs, it was tactical behind. They stalled and so they had been watching, Jumbo guys didn’t need to pull clearly… so in case you’re going to race it, race it correctly, for my part,” was Thomas’ verdict.
“You’ll be able to’t simply say, ‘ah yeah we’re going to race, one of the best man’s going to win,’ however then it’s fairly simple to reap the benefits of that in case you’re going to go after which the blokes behind don’t pull as a result of there are different guys on GC within the wheels as nicely… Do one or the opposite, you already know.”
To some, Jumbo-Visma’s coverage of letting the highway determine is honest recreation. It could end in one of the best rider successful this Vuelta, be it Kuss, Vingegaard or Roglič.
In retort to the desires of those that really feel Jumbo-Visma ought to be defending Kuss’ lead, relatively than permitting Vingegaard and Roglič their alternative, there was an accusation {that a} Kuss victory would merely be a ‘present’ from his group. It will not have been earned, in different phrases.
Thomas was fast to shoot down this sense forward of stage 18.
“There shouldn’t be any items in a Grand Tour win,” Thomas mentioned, agreeing in precept earlier than making his ruling on Kuss clear. “It’s one factor gifting a stage and no matter, however I don’t suppose simply because somebody has labored for you for years, that you must allow them to win. However I don’t suppose that’s the case anyway. I believe he’s ok to be within the place he’s in.”
When pressed on who he thought was going to finally win the Vuelta, Thomas pointed to Vingegaard, however his reply was tinged with greater than a contact of disappointment and a touch of intrigue.
“However there’s a whole lot of stress in that group now, there’s been a whole lot of exterior stress as nicely. However clearly, I’d like to see Sepp win and I believe many of the peloton would as nicely.”
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We’re displaying reside and on-demand protection of all 21 levels of this 12 months’s Vuelta a España (territory restrictions apply) from Saturday, August 26 to Sunday, September 17, plus every day professional evaluation on The Breakaway. Head over to GCN+ now to observe stage 18 unfold!
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