Jumbo-Visma ‘in a great position’ as Sepp Kuss gives rivals a further GC headache with Stage 6 Vuelta a Espana win
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Published 31/08/2023 at 16:30 GMT
Jumbo-Visma came into the 2023 Vuelta a Espana with two riders who were clearly gunning for the general classification title but now they might have three. Sepp Kuss’ win on Stage 6 of the Vuelta has suddenly seen him jump into second in the GC. Dan Lloyd and Adam Blythe believe that this means they are now even more of a threat for the overall title with their new three-pronged attack.
How Kuss 'being a genuine contender' changes the math for Jumbo and puts pressure on other teams
Sepp Kuss’ stunning ride on Stage 6 of the Vuelta a Espana has given Jumbo-Visma three potential general classification contenders and will give their rivals a real headache.
The general classification was blown wide open on Thursday as a massive breakaway group stunned the peloton that contained red jersey wearer Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step).
American star Kuss rode away from the breakaway to take the stage win and catapult himself into second in the GC. The new race leader is Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ) who came in second in the stage.
Further back Jumbo put in time to Evenepoel as Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard finished over 30 seconds ahead of the battling Belgian.
Speaking on The Breakaway after the stage, Dan Lloyd and Adam Blythe said Kuss’ performance changes the equation for Jumbo and their rivals.
“It’s going to be very difficult for him [Kuss] now,” Blythe said. “Let’s not forget that every time he does his job in the mountains he’s able to sit back and he’s able to relax up to the finish line and on the flatter days he doesn’t have to do that job. Whereas now he’ll almost be protected.”
Presenter Orla Chennaoui pointed out that many within the cycling community have speculated whether or not Kuss could eventually be a GC contender and Lloyd said that he felt that having Kuss up at the top of the standings changes the dynamics for Jumbo.
Lloyd said: “I think having that number of riders of that quality right up there in the GC can only be to their advantage. It might solve, not the internal argument it doesn’t feel like it is that at the moment but both Vingegaard and Roglic came to this race, wanting to win it, both claiming that it was about the team winning it.
“Now they have a third opportunity, and I don’t think I’m speaking too soon here, a third rider who could potentially win this Vuelta a Espana. This race is not as stressful within the bunch as the Tour de France would be and I think Sepp sometimes struggles with that on the flatter days.
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Highlights from Stage 6 of Vuelta a Espana as Kuss wins, Jumbo-Visma inflict pain on Evenepoel
“In the mountains he’s in his own territory, he’s very comfortable there but on the fast days he doesn’t like the hustle and bustle of being at the front. Yes he’ll suffer a bit in the ITT but if he’s right up there on GC I can see him not conceding as much time as he normally would. Because normally that’s a rest day for him.”
Blythe agreed, adding that for Jumbo’s rivals everything has become far more complicated because now they have three riders they have to keep an eye on when breaks start to form.
“On the really hard days at the start like we had today there’s one job for Remco, don’t let Primoz and Jonas go in the break," Blythe said. "Watch for [Enric] Mas as well but generally keep an eye on them.
“With three of them now, if a big group is going like that on hard terrain and they’re just like ‘I’ll have a little dabble’ they have to shut it down, then another will have a go. The likes of Remco and [Juan] Ayuso, normally you follow the one leader, you just have to make sure they don’t go too far up the road but ultimately it doesn’t really matter where everyone else goes, as long as you’re around that leader.
“Jumbo’s got three so now the other riders will be like ‘oh we need to chase that, oh no they’ve gone again we need to chase that, oh no they’ve gone again what are we doing here?’ So they’re in a great position.”
Lloyd ended by saying he thinks Kuss winning might be the best solution for everyone.
“I think this is a great solution because I don’t think Primoz or Jonas would have a problem with Sepp Kuss winning the Vuelta a Espana after what he’s done for this team to win Grand Tours in the past few years," Lloyd said.
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