Everyone is talking (and rightly so) about Sepp Kuss as the great unexpected leader of the Vuelta a España 2023, but
Marc Soler, who after 11 days of the Spanish race is second in the standings 26 seconds behind the American, is just about in the same place.
If Kuss is a valuable piece for Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic at Jumbo-Visma, Marc Soler is the same for Juan Ayuso and João Almeida at
UAE Team Emirates. The Catalan is signing a spectacular Vuelta and an interview to the newspaper
AS gave a review of what we have been testing and what he expects in the decisive days ahead.
FORM
"Morally great and physically I also feel good. I'm second overall. We have to keep working and also help our teammates."
FOCUS
"There's still a long way to go, and it's the hardest part, so we have to see how the days progress. The idea is to get closer to the red jersey, both me and my teammates".
PREPARATION AFTER THE TOUR
"Very calm. At home, training, with the family and recharging batteries, which was very important."
BATTLE WITH JUMBO-VISMA
"I don't know... everyone wants the red, so we will fight. We still have to see how the race develops and for sure one will take advantage of the other's weaknesses. So far, because of the circumstances of the race, there are three of us, just like Jumbo, Remco is also there and other riders to follow."
WHAT'S LEFT
"Phew, even the flat stages, as we've seen several days here, can be important with the wind, with more differences than in the mountains. We'll see which teams control and how everything progresses."
BREAKAWAY IN JAVALAMBRE
"Yes, of course, it was an important time and when you take it in a three-week race.... It's true that maybe it's not as decisive as in one-week races."
WHICH RESULT I WOULD SIGN
"Well, for now keep enjoying it and see how far we can go."
