“The three of us have freedom, there is no competition between us”
MADRID, 13 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The American cyclist Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), still leader of La Vuelta 23 with 8 seconds of margin over his teammate Jonas Vingegaard and 1:08 over his teammate Primoz Roglic, assured that after the exhibition and battle in L’Angliru the The fight for the leader’s red jersey remains open between the three and confirmed that they have freedom of movement to Madrid.
“We have freedom, the three of us. We decided on the second day of rest that the strongest should win the race. We said that we were not going to attack each other or put ourselves in danger, but we also did not want to betray the race knowing that something more could be done. It is It’s a shame to stop cycling,” he said on RTVE after the seventeenth stage.
In this sense, he confirmed that 2 kilometers from the finish line, when Roglic’s pace (with Vingegaard on the wheel) made him drop, he gave that freedom to his teammates. “I said through the ‘earpiece’ that they should continue forward, I set my own pace,” he said.
“I was with Mikel Landa, I knew there was a difference of 10-15 seconds and I was able to maintain the advantage in the general standings. I still haven’t won La Vuelta, tomorrow is an important day. If there are no bonuses at the finish line, it will be easier,” he predicted. And without bonuses it would be easier for him not to lose those 8 seconds with his partner unless there is a direct attack between them.
Anyway, I send the following message: “There is no competition between us, there is good vibes and we are friends and we are enjoying this moment because we have good form, feelings and team.”
Kuss, who will be playing this Vuelta in the double climb to La Cruz de Linares this Thursday, reiterated that there is “very good vibes” in the group among the three leaders. “But for me maybe it’s the only chance to win a big one, it would be very special. I want to do well and know that if I win I’ve really won the race”, he opened up.