2023-09-13 17:23:00
Does the good atmosphere on the front at Jumbo-Visma really reflect what is happening behind the scenes? While on the staff side, we repeat day after day that the riders have the right to do what they want, as long as the team finds it in its interest, among the riders, the opinions diverge. Jonas Vingegaard, for example, hopes that Sepp Kuss will win the Vuelta but has attacked him in recent days. Primoz Roglic assumes his “responsibilities” and confides that he would see himself triumphing on Sunday in Madrid.
“We proved again that we have the three strongest guys in the race.” Grischa Niermann is a successful sports director. For the second time after the Tourmalet, there were his men in front and the others behind. Primoz Roglic, Jonas Vingegaard and Sepp Kuss, that’s it for today’s hat-trick. Just reading the rankings would make you miss the most important thing like at the Tourmalet, like in Bejes: once again, Kuss has dropped time on his two teammates and the Dane is only eight seconds behind. To believe that he absolutely wants to debunk him, contrary to what he wants to say.
Vingegaard bets everything on Kuss
“The stage victory was our main objective today, admitted the Dane, faithful to his line of conduct, success after success. We wanted to maintain our position in the general and we are very satisfied.” So much for the language elements. Subsequently, Vingegaard showed himself, for once, a little more, if not perfectly open, at least surprising in his statements: “Honestly, I am very happy that Sepp was able to keep this red jersey and I “I hope he keeps the jersey until the end. I would love to see Sepp win this Tour of Spain.”
Roglic in front of Vingegaard and Kuss: the Jumbo-Visma tames the Angliru
Thus, the winner of the Tour de France would like his teammate’s victory more than his own. After all, there would be nothing absurd about rewarding a teammate who is as loyal as he is valuable. “He was in all our victories,” recalled Roglic. But then, why did Vingegaard attack to take back, in total, one minute and 53 seconds between the Tourmalet and towards Bejes? Twice, he was the first to move, never to respond to an offensive from a “real” opponent, always to take the lead, “at the right time”, he emphasized.
Roglic and his “responsibilities”
We are entitled to question the deep sincerity of Jonas Vingegaard who cannot be blamed for wanting to win a new grand tour and for not spitting on such a victory. This is what champions are made of. Primoz Roglic has another speech. While he obviously salutes Sepp Kuss, he finds himself in a position that he himself describes as “strange”.
On the slopes of the Angliru, it was its rhythm that cracked Kuss. “It was a strange feeling. On the one hand I wanted to go, on the other I didn’t want to. We let go of our teammate in red,” he said while his team, once is not custom, communicated on a radio exchange. The American would have urged his teammates to continue on their way with a “go guys” which left no room for doubt about his intentions.
And match Roglic-Vingegaard?
“He’s the first guy I hope to see win,” smiles the Slovenian. “But I’m focusing on myself, my responsibilities. I’m here to race, to do my best. I hope it’s me who will win the Vuelta.” Released in a laugh, this last sentence sums up his speech quite well. Roglic would very much like to see Kuss win the Vuelta if, and only if, he is the strongest in the race. Which was not true in recent days since Jonas Vingegaard took on this role.
So, at Jumbo-Visma, we no longer seem to be on the same wavelength. Everyone repeats the plan, “everyone can attack as long as it’s good for the team” but we start to see nuances and isn’t the devil in the details? If Roglic and Vingegaard would like to see Kuss win the Vuelta, it is undoubtedly for services rendered. We can also hypothesize that the Slovenian would prefer the American to the Dane. And vice versa, obviously.
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