Pretty crazy that Jumbo have such a grip on this race that the other teams genuinely look to the other Jumbo GC riders to ride down Vingegaard

This stage was perfect for TJV, this means if Kuss is not able to follow Mas or Ayuso tomorrow, Jonas will win la Vuelta. It‘s up to Kuss now and i also think that Jonas will let Kuss win gc if it doesn‘t risk winning la vuelta von TJV

Used to babysit Seppy here in Durango…so yeah, hard stage to watch however, Sepp more than anyone knows pro cyclist’s legs (including his own especially in his 3rd GT of the year!) can blow at any time. No gifts. Stack the podium potential as you’re able.

it wouldn't surprise me if JV are genuinely going for a Kuss GC win, but wanted to put Vingegaard (and maybe Roglic if his legs had been better) as close to Kuss as possible in case he cracks on one of the last two mountain stages.

I understood everything you've explained and really just hope Kuss can win the Vuelta for all his sacrifices and efforts done for the other 2 Grand Tour winners this year

In light of the Nathan Van Hooydonck news it makes more sense. Sounds like they didn't know if he would make it when they started the stage.

As a dane I hope that Kuss wins so we can celebrate his work in the team. Even tho it is still nice to see JV winning

I'd say no, Sepp only lost a few seconds to Ayuso and the team gained many more over their opponents

You have to look at the gaps to kind of see the logic. Before the stage Ayuso is 2:37 back from the top (Kuss), and 1 minute back from 2nd (Roglic). After the stage, 2:33 from the top (Kuss), but look, now he's 2 mins back from Vingegaard in 2nd. The chance that he can get 2 mins plus on TWO Jumbos is very unlikely now. The gap from Aysuo to 3rd also slighly upticked from 52 sec to 1 min.

I think this was planned. If Ayuso isn't certain he can catch Vingegaard, it makes sense for him to mark Roglič and Kuss. The problem for UAE is that I am fairly certain this was planned all along, and tomorrow they're going to send EITHER Kuss--to win on his birthday--OR Roglič ahead, whoever feels ready to make a jump and won't be marked, with Kuss being the least likely to b marked since Roglič is now the most "vulnerable" one on GC for Ayuso to take third place on the podium. And if Kuss cannot make the jump, the same thing happens as today--Roglič takes a minute on Ayuso while Kuss maybe loses a few seconds, cementing even more the 1-2-3 placement of Jumbo with Kuss on top. For his birthday. See, I think both Kuss and Roglič were not putting in 100% today and on Saturday, to wait for l'Angliru. Jonas is probably the closest to Hooydonck, so probably asked for this. I honestly think Jonas and Primož both want Sepp to win, but if they can protect Kuss' place in first, WHILE taking stages and gaining time on Ayuso, why not? The only person I think capable of wrecking this plan is Evenepoel. I definitely don't see a Jumbo leader stealing the red jersey on Sepp's BIRTHDAY!

It was absolutely correct. Forcing the other teams to chase (which they couldn't, but that was unknown) Attacking early is always a risk, and Vingegaard took that risk (again) for his team. It paid off for Vingegaard, again. Also, as much as I want Kuss to win, not trying to secure every podium spot possible is pure idiocy. You fight hard for a 3rd place in a grand tour., If you can increase the gap to 4th, without risking your 1st place, you need to do it. Also, this is a grand tour stage. You have to try to win it. You are competing professionally, there is no way you shouldn't fight for both stages and podium, and do so with ferocity.

Fin Fisher black should be some sort of exclusive Bike company just sounds good

Jonas gained a lot of respect from me today. I love Sepp, and would like to see him win stuff, but this idea of gifting a GT GC is obscene to me. By doing what he did today he showed the Vuelta, the sport, and his rivals the proper level of respect. It's beneath a great champion to soft-pedal a grand tour just to award it to some loyal domestique, and it would greatly devalue the Vuelta. Now, he's making sure that whoever wins, even if it turns out to be Sepp, will have no choice but to deserve it. This is what true elite sports is all about.

Nice to see Poels being up there again, taking his great shape from from the Tour with his stage win!

I love Lanterne Rouge analysis! You two get it so right! We can't know how the riders are being coached or how they feel in the moment. Today, Jumbo did what worked! Hopefully saving some powder for the next two stages. They can hardly go wrong with three at the top. It would be very special to have Sepp win, but having Primoz or Jonas win a second grand tour would be special, too.

Unbelievable to me that they are going uphill and yet still can pull energy out of somewhere to sprint! I can't even walk up my stairs without my legs aching at the top!

Jonas made the right move, there are no gifts in pro cycling, and he is the strongest rider in the race. Learning about his stomach ailment early on in the race makes sense now seeing his tepid start. Now that he is feeling better, he will absolutely dominate.

Kuss, Rog and Ving are all professionals! They ride to a plan, with options within it!

I think their strategy is always attacking with person in 3rd place. Jonas attacked today so that he has a bigger lead on 4th place so tomorrow he can look after Seppy while Roglic will attack and battle Remco for stage. Now Jonas can help Kuss if kuss struggles a little tomorrow as jonas is not at risk of dropping off podium. I predict Rogla or Remco wins tomorrow, probably Remco as he has freshest legs after taking it so easy today.

“I don’t want to win this Vuelta as a gift, that is not sport. They know what I’ve done for them, but they’re also winners." Kuss

"I was back on my tour level today, maybe even better, I was flying in the final" - from an interview from danish TV. If thats true, there is no way he should wait for anyone!

If what Jonas says is true, that he might be as good or better than during the tour, he will be able to demonstrate that by ripping through the GC on the Angliru tomorrow.

Obviously Kuss seems to be okay with things. So I am not really worried about that. It wouldn't surprise me if Vingegaard help Kuss tomorrow. Having said that, if Kuss is to much out of energy, of course Vingegaard has to go for it tomorrow. Still would prefer Kuss to win gc in the end however.

Kuss fan’s need to realise, that if Kuss didn’t ride for TJV, he would have already lost the red jersey earlier. But picking order, is for a reason, Jonas clear favorite to win the Vuelta with his current shape

I will be curious to see how Jumbo manages tomorrow...will it be every man for himself or as is usual will somebody suppress their ambitions for the sake of the team... who will be the lieutenant who will command glory

Of course Vingegaard wants to win. That's why he's in the Vuelta. It’s a team sport - but the team should back the strongest rider 😊 It would be crazy to give away a victory. If Sepp Kuss is the strongest rider, I really hope he keeps the red Jersey - but Sepp Kuss hasn't "given anything up"- it’s been his job to help them. He began the Vuelta having that job. They have given him a lot of advice, but neither Roglic or Vingegaard has the role of a helper - and they shouldn’t have at the height of their career. If Sepp Kuss can rise to become a strong GC rider, then that’s amazing - but then he needs other riders to help him - not two of the best GC riders in the world, that suddenly has to compromise their own talent like that - And Sepp Kuss would agree with that! He doesn't want a charity win!

Excellent analysis. I would find it useful if you added start and finish locations to the description. (just for the casual observer interested in where the race is in the pretty parts of Spain if they miss your starting dialogue).

Perfect tactic today (apart from Roglic keeping the pace when he knew Kuss was struggling) - Jonas gaining one minute on Ayuso and Mas with Kuss only losing 4 secs on a bad day is a dream scenario for tomorrow's stage. People calling Jonas selfish are either new to cycling or have an IQ under 105 alongside an emotional brain without rationality.

I think Jonas takes the stage, but i really hope that Kuss will stay in red.

The three Jumbo GC riders are on a historic path - no team has ever won all three podium spots in a grand tour. There are still five more stages to go, but we could be witnessing something incredible.

Everyone would love to see kuss winning the GC, cause of the work he has done for jonas and primoz earlier in the year, id love that too. But still think the most deserving is the 1 with the best legs over the course of the 21 days. And also remember this is the 3rd grand tour for him this year. He could break down anytime. Jonas definetly did the right thing!!

Jumbo greatly improved their position today, they now have two riders with two minutes on the UAE rider. Smart move.

Jonas had the legs for it and got the OK from the team car so I don't really see what the fuss is about - it's professional racing and TJM have been clear on their strategy for this Vuelta. It could be argued, though, that Primoz tried to make a gap for too long

Vingegaard is the strongest in the 3rd week. Expect him to win the Vuelta.

I once made the same mistake. "270 degree almost hairpin" 180 degree is the perfect hairpin. 270 degree is only possible on an incline, some highways use 270 degree turns.

The fight after 3rd is what I’m looking foreword to

Can't hold back superstars, can't. They want to compete as they should. Let the best win, throw away the team strategy. Lions can't turn into Cats. It also makes the final week very interesting instead of very boring

Kuss is a awesome rider, and yeah winning the vuelta would be awesome, even for Jonas and roglic he would owe them for life. But hes only in Red because he got 3 mins for free in the stage he won from the brake, if he was struggling today , tomorrow will be bad news for him, i Rly hope he can stay in the top 3 but unfortunately i don't see him winning, he even says it himself the strongest man should win, he don't want a Gift. And for Jumbo they have clearly stated they just wanna win, they don't care who and it makes sense for Jonas and Roglic to try and gain time on all the others even if that means closing the gab on Kuss.

"La corsa è corsa e pieta'l'e'morta"(Gino Bartali)

Why didn't Kuss attack today if he is Jumbos strongest?

I’m going to be super disappointed if Kuss does not win. If I was Kuss I’d shop around with some teams looking for a GC contender.

First!...wish I wasn't working when these are on live. Kuss is a canon for riding 3 grand tours this year.

I wonder if Jumbo tells Remco they ARE GOING to win tomorrow, but if he doesn't attack then they will let him go in a break on stage 20 (as long as it doesn't have anyone within ten minutes of their podium spots).

Absolutely fair play from Jonas, if you’re out of domestiques and you can force other teams to pace in lieu it’s a win win

if its very close between them they should help kuss get the win, but if vingegaard is flying and able to take several minutes he should do it, doesnt feel right to gift a victory if its not even close, and vingegaards specialty is third week of grand tours, he shouldnt be held back for that fact

Shot out to English speakers: Vingaard, the last part is pronounced with the "aa" as the "o" in Lord and the "d" at the end cannot be heard. So basically it is "Vingegor", not "Vingegard". Btw this goes for all Danish names ending with -gaard which is quite a lot, it is a very common last name ending in Denmark.

Love how Primoz just stops his computer right at the finish line

No he wasn't but I guess Jumbo didn't expext that the others just don't chase at all and gift him a free minute lol this Vuelta is OVER

I don't think JV expected to take so much time. UAE and the others just stopped riding when he attacked. No clue what UAE were doing by having Fisher Black try to beat JV

Looks like a Wiggins X Froome situation. Lets see what the team orders are!

I think it was a fine move, vingegaard can always do with more time on Ayuso. There's no guarantee that Kuss will survive Angliru Vs the other heavy hitters, if he makes it, then GC Kuss is real

Of course not. Was Kuss wrong to take time on his sick captain on stage 6, of course not. I hope the best man wins whomever that might be:)

Vingegaard went for stage victory. It's no-fault of his that the other teams din't want to chase...

"even Mollema attacking" that one hurt a bit😅

To everyone saying let the best man win - Kuss IS THE BEST MAN. He’s on his third grand tour and had he not been so tired helping Jonas and Roglic, they perhaps couldn’t have distanced him. They should’ve taken him with them cuz the other teams weren’t in contention and it was a chance to help him. It’s no gift - if it is, everything that Kuss has done for them was a gift too.

Cycling is a funny sport when it comes down to team dynamics, if Jonas is the strongest rider overall and the most likely winner all things considered then I don't see the point in limiting him.

I think team JV knows that jonas is stronger than his team mates at this time thats why they allow him to go because honestly kuss showed weakness and roglic attacked and couldn't drop anyone ...well except kuss

If Kuss were close to become 1,2,3 and no other at Jumbo were close anyone can be sure Jonas would burn the midnight oil to support his teammate but reality are that Jumbo right now are sitting on position 1,2,3, and then it should be about whom are best on the day and in the race overall. It are an unusual situation. But remember that Jonas are in a position where he can go into the history books. Only one time before have a TdF winner also won in Spain and Jonas are still young and can truly make a mark historically. Maybe be first to do it twice? I love that Jumbo as a team are so good at supporting teammates and the entire team have showed each other they are loyal to each other but when they have all 3 positions they should let the best of the three take the lead and that seems to be Jonas. Historically it will be remembered better, in honour of also Jumbo, if Jonas break "all time" records than if they "let" Kuss win. I can understand it might feel hard if you are very supportive of Kuss but hope people agree it would be most fair and more beneficial for Jumbo overall if the best man wins. And if that are Kuss, so be it, but wont be remembered in the long run as if Jonas wins. I hope the strongest man and team wins! It would be sad it Kuss are "let win" for commercial reasons on the American market, that wont give as much honour to JUmbo nor Kuss but if he becomes second fair and square it are an honorable second place that will be remembered as such.

Great tactic and specially Great legs from Jumbos.

I hope Jumbo hires Ayuso and Mas next year, so they will make a thrilling and historical top 1-2-3-4-5 🎉

I'm rooting for Kuss to take the GC but I don't think Jonas was wrong. It worked out that now he has more time on the others and Kuss holds on to Red. I think they'll fully support Kuss tomorrow unless he has a bad day and that was probably already their plan.

Diamond legs from GC Kuss on angliru tomorrow!!!

This all feels like TJV is sorting out who's good to win. They were all supporting Roglic and to a lesser extent Vingegaard when they showed up, and Kuss just hung on to red after doing his job spectacularly on stage 6. I hope he can take the jersey to Barcelona, but I'm not holding my breath.

Jonas to win vuelta was never in doubt. I got nearly 4to1 other day. Thank you very much. Now he is 4to9. Lovely jubbly🎉

Should Vingegaard limit himself to allow Kuss to not fall back and other GC-contenders to close the gap?? That’s nonsense. What if Kuss has a bad day and TJV loose 1.2.3. or even 1st place. Of course JV and PR has to be fully committed. It’s not a kindergarten.

Dear GC Kuss, Show no mercy tomorrow!

Honestly this just feels like TJV making a statement that they’re going to gobble up all three GC podium spots. It’s almost like they’re giving each other a tow in terms of the GC time, they might just end up yo-yoing each other to the finish. Jonas was in third, he attacked and created some separation for himself, now will be interesting to see if he helps Primoz and/or Sepp do the same in the next couple stages so they can put themselves further ahead as well. Only a few seconds lost for Kuss on any non-TJV riders, so if anything this just means Jonas has more leeway to help the others since his podium spot is more solid. We’ll see. TJV have been clear they only care about winning, not who wins specifically, but I imagine if they can secure a TJV 1-2-3, Jonas and Primoz would let Sepp take the win

People seem to forget that its the 3rd GT for Kuss this year. I think they will always need to care about him just beeing empty. Also in terms of preparation etc. he never trained to be the GC guy so that he always needs to go with the gc group. There are no stages off. And with the ability to have a back up also 2 min ahead of Ayuso was just a too good chance. And its not that Ayuso lost he Vuelta today

@Lanterne Rouge Jonas said on Danish television that the victory was dedicated Nathan, and he was very emotional about his situation, as he said Nathan is his best friend. Also, he told that he first heard of Nathan's recovery 300m from finish, which sent strange sensations though his body of relief. I think that's why he is emotional on the top - not because of return of strong legs 🙂

This 4:40 chasse patate is gold !

For Nathan!! Tomorrow Vingegaard will attack and take 3 minutes because his second best friend Sepp Kuss has birthday!! What a gift!

people are saying "Roglic and Jonas should ride for themselves, yadda yadda." but just a few years ago, people would bash riders for not working for their gc leader. i feel pike some people just really don't want to see Sepp win.

We will find out tomorrow. Hopefully, Kuss will shine on the Angliru by saving some of his reserves today. Perhaps that strategy was just a part of Jumbo's overall plan. But, if either teammate attacks Kuss tomorrow, without Kuss faltering, then they are wrong. Kuss has ridden 3 grand tours this year. With only a few stages remaining, the unwritten code of honor of defending the leader, should be followed. It's the right thing to do, especially here.

It looks like Vingegaard paced himself in the first week (much like he did at the TdF) and is finding form in the 3rd week. He looks primed to win. I think the entire TJV strategy is to let the top 3 race it out, with the rest of the team supporting to secure a sweep of the podium, which they're well setup to do.

I feel bad for Roglic, my favorite cyclist but Jonas is looking nuclear in this La Vuelta stages, anyway Gc kuss wins la vuelta

Clearly Jonas had green light from the team, so no, he was not wrong !

JV has a team plan to win the Vuelta. I think it is sharing the load on the final 3 mountain stages. I still think Sepp will win and that is the plan. 3 Grand Tours won by 3 different team members in 2023.

My take... I was expecting this and shared it before in other foruns. Vin is the best GC rider in the World and always gain form along the way and Kuss had already shown he might not be as strong. Roglic also does not seem to have that killer punch as we saw (Mas and Ayuso managed to bridge after his attack). Jumbo will win the big 3. Only some kind of catastrophic event would prevent it. They could chose to put all the chips into a Kuss victory which would be a great marketing move in US and Netflix, it could chose to make history by having a guy winning Giro and Vuelta (the later one for the 4th time). However, a Tour + Vuelta is surely the most impressive GC rider achievement since 2017 when Froome did the same. Let's see how this theory works in the Angliru. Remco's absence from yesterday's action is totally aligned with the idea he will be doing the impossible to win on those crazy slopes that make his beloved La Redoute look like a faux-plat 😆

As a barca fan i think that jonas is a cyclist (and this says barcelona fan)

A couple of observations from todays stage. 1/ There are a lot of very angry/upset Kuss fans out there today, and 2/ It looks like it could still be a Jumbo Visma 123 at the end of this years Vuelta.

He had a greenlight.. And took off, they didnt expect how fast he would go

does anyone know why UAE is abbreviated as UAD in the standings?

why didn't FIsher Black drop back to pull for Ayuso

It's inappropriate for a great champion to intentionally weaken their performance in a Grand Tour just to bestow it upon a loyal teammate, as this would significantly diminish the Vuelta's value. I would love to see GC Kuss win, but their initial strategy was to let the strongest TJV rider emerge as the winner.

There was a time where you just don't attack when your teammate is wearing the leader's jersey.........guess those days are in the past.....

Can someone tell me what "chas pe tat" is (phonetic spelling)? It was said around 4:45 referring to the Ving/Fisher move. I assume it means something like, "one vs one"?

@Lanterne Rouge, you know what and how these teams work, would TJV "order" JV and PM to work for Kuss to win???

I will be bummed out JV doesn't do whatever is possible to have Sepp stay in red, assuming he has the legs. Look for a Sepp transfer if Vin attacks him again. Maybe Primoz and Sepp will move to another team together.

Jonas should be riding for Sepp right now, for the next four stages, IMO. Sepp did it for him many times.

Ayuso doesnt have the legs to drop the jumbo guys. they need a crazy tactic to even go in the podium

Well Jumbo asked Jonas to be in the race not to set tempo.

It was the right time to go to win the stage. I thought JV was not going very hard in the end, they wanted the stage for NvH. Simple as that. My concern for tomorrow, is if Sepp is struggling on this climb, I don’t see him as better tomorrow. I’m pulling for Sepp, I think TJV really wants him to win, and I do believe in gifting races, even Tours. To hell with “let the best rider win”, there is more credit to doing the right thing. Every man/woman for themselves is exactly what is wrong about sport, in my opinion.

This stage plane wos for Roglič,thets was the plan in the buss,but Jonas always have some birthday,bad new.etc for getting the win. Roglič did never go on Jonas whell, but Jonas have a mask for the camera

TJV implode as Jonas responds to Kuss’ killer dead-leg with insane bear hug. Primoz is aggrieved as he feels on the outer. It’s over for TJV.

It’s probably over for Sepp Kuss at this point to win the GC. Angliru is so tough and JV is the best in the peloton in 3rd week

nothing wrong with what Jonas did today, it all depends on Kuss legs tomorrow anyways

I think most would love to see GC Kuss taking the red jersey all the way to Madrid, but if Vingegaard has the legs he should go for it and take time on the rest of the GC. I am sure Roglic and Vingegaard would be happy for Kuss to take the win, with all the work he puts in for the team. But nobody knows whether TJV will have a bad day on Angliru. If Kuss explodes, at least Vingegaard will have a larger gap to the rest of the GC contenders. I imagine that TJV will have to take a lot of crap if they end up losing the jersey and/or podium positions because they did not play all their cards while having the chance, especially with being so dominant for the majority of the race.

I think it is better for long-term team dynamics if they let the three riders battle it out solo on the decisive climbs. If TJV picks a rider over the others, it *might* increase the likelihood they win, but if they hurt their relationship with two out of the three, they might actually decrease the number of GTs they win long term w these three

If Jonas is the best rider, which he clearly is, I do not understand what we are talking about. If he is not stronger than Jonas, then he will be put in his place and he will stay the great domestique he is.

No gifts! For JV to hold back Vingegaard even though he is stronger would look very stupid indeed if Kuss fell or had a bad mechanical between here and Madrid. Besides, if you were Kuss would you really want a gift like that if you know Vingegaard to be stronger? AND it makes it much more exciting for us viewers if V, K and R race rather than just lock it down for the last week. Go Jonas then.