"Absolutely not the way I wanted to take the polka-dots" - Jay Vine an unwilling beneficiary of Wout van Aert's Vuelta a Espana abandon

After the first two summit finishes of stage 16 at the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, Wout van Aert's hopes of winning both the King of the Mountains and points classifications looked very good. However, after Van Aert crashed out on a slippery descent, Jay Vine now leads the race for polka-dots.

"I didn’t quite feel myself this morning and I let the guys know that," admits Vine honestly post-stage, despite having forced his way into the day's breakaway alongside the aforementioned Van Aert, and Vine's UAE Team Emirates teammates Isaac del Toro and Marc Soler among others. "After the first KOM, sprinting with Wout [van Aert], I just didn’t feel it so I decided to work for the other two."

UItimately, Vine's work was well used to. "Marc was able to come away with the victory. I remember I was in the race two years ago when he won in Bilbao on stage 5 so it’s pretty special," reflects the Australian. "You know, I’ve ridden with Marc a number of times, and to be part of another win for the team in the Vuelta is great."

As mentioned, a unintended beneficiary of Van Aert crashing out, Vine now leads the King of the Mountains classification by 14 points from Soler. "Absolutely not the way I wanted to take the polka-dot and honestly, he was beating me in the sprints at the top of these climbs," Vine admits. "But the goal today was a victory for the team and that goal was achieved. We had three riders in the break, it was a great move. Del Toro is a young guy, in his first Grand Tour, and he was looking really good today."

2024 Vuelta a Espana King of the Mountains standings after stage 16: