The Vuelta’s hardest summit end to this point at Javalambre has created a couple of query marks for GC contenders like Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers). However for one staff, Jumbo-Visma, the present GC scenario may hardly ever were higher.
A solo win for Sepp Kuss at Javalambre after he and 3 teammates were given within the ruin of the day finished Jumbo-Visma’s ‘set’ of degree wins in all 3 Grand Excursions this 12 months, and the American has now moved into 2nd position general, simply 8 seconds down on race chief Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ)
Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard, after tough begins to the Vuelta, each confirmed a marked development in situation and controlled to drop each Evenepoel and Thomas. Vingegaard is now mendacity 11th at 2:52 on Martínez, whilst Roglič is in 12th at 2:58, confirming that with 3 riders neatly put on GC, Jumbo-Visma are taking a look very just like the staff to overcome on this 12 months’s Vuelta.
When a small workforce of journalists put it to sports activities director Marc Reef on the degree 7 get started that the squad’s present scenario used to be bordering on the very best, he smiled and answered “you want to say that.”
“Degree 6 used to be at all times going to be a difficult day and we concept shall we put Soudal-QuickStep underneath drive, however in all probability additionally to do a little issues ourselves.”
“In any case, despite the fact that we had a greater scenario than we will have anticipated up entrance. With Sepp being up there on GC as neatly, Jonas and Primoz taking time on Remco and the remainder of the GC guys, it labored out higher than shall we be expecting.”
Kuss’ general benefit on all of the pre-race contenders recently stands at just about 3 mins and that does alternate the staff’s technique for the GC, Reef agreed. Alternatively, he warned that Tuesday’s particular person time trial subsequent week may see the all-rounders regain floor on an out-and-out climber like Kuss.
“First they have got to drop him as neatly in order that’s one thing we will take advantage of despite the fact that we additionally must do a TT on Tuesday,” Reef mentioned. “There are two mountain phases [at Xorret de Catí on Saturday and the Collado de Caravaca de la Cruz on Sunday] first, and whilst you take a look at previous TTs, Remco will have to regain reasonably just a little of floor on him [Kuss] and in all probability overtake him.”
Alternatively, assuming Kuss does now not lose greater than 3 mins at the Belgian subsequent Tuesday in Valladolid, “He’s going to nonetheless be up there on GC, even though Remco closes in on him. And that suggests Remco can have 3 guys to look at, which is superb for us.”
Reef identified that whilst the method any longer for Jumbo shall be to milk Kuss’ benefit to the utmost, the staff already had really extensive religion in Kuss talent to polish in his personal proper. The staff’s technique at Javalambre, the place Dylan Van Baarle, Jan Tratnik and Attila Valter all labored onerous for Kuss, used to be proof of that.
Kuss’ presence within the Giro this 12 months most effective happened after Wilco Kelderman used to be injured in Tirreno and not able to participate, however his participation within the Excursion and Vuelta used to be at all times deliberate, Reef mentioned.
The million-dollar query, after all, is whether or not Kuss has any passion in going for GC in his 3rd Grand Excursion.
The American insisted after degree 6 that he used to be right here to paintings for Vingegaard and Roglič, however rival staff administrators are adamant that Kuss in reality will also be an general contender. When requested without delay, Reef most well-liked to show the query round and neither verify nor deny that risk.
“So long as our competitors suppose he is a GC contender, that is excellent for us,” Reef mentioned with a smile, and when requested once more if Kuss used to be there for the total or now not, merely added, “Smartly, I will repeat what I simply mentioned to you, if you happen to like.
“He is additionally performed best tens in GCs in Grand Excursions and he is no doubt proven he can keep on a top stage in a three-week Grand Excursion.”
“But it surely relies, additionally, on what occurs the race. Primoz and Vingegaard are our primary contenders, however on account of that scenario, Sepp can develop into a danger for the opposite groups.”
A degree victory for a staff toughen rider like Kuss used to be an excessively particular second, Reef mentioned, given how a lot he has contributed to the staff’s Grand Excursion victories prior to now. “It approach so much to him that he can get his probability, but additionally to the squad.”
On the identical time, Vingegaard and Roglič also are doing neatly after a troublesome get started for each, with Roglič crashing on degree 2 and Vingegaard feeling out of varieties early on.
“They’re each up there. They’d a tricky first few days, however they confirmed they’re up there. And we will consider now that they’re going to get well, so we’re very assured about them.” And with Kuss additionally within the combine, much more so.
