Visma DS admits cruel reality about their race without Wout Van Aert: "We simply weren't good enough to compete today"

Team Visma | Lease a Bike was unable to get involved in the battle for the stage win in the final regular stage of the Vuelta a España. Sepp Kuss crossed the line in 25th place which puts him into 13th in the overall standings ahead of the final time trial.

"We had the plan to go for the stage win," said sports director Grischa Niermann after the race. "That could have been possible either through the breakaway or with a strong Sepp. But unfortunately, we have to admit that we weren't good enough today. Sepp had to drop back on the penultimate climb. It is what it is for now. The guys certainly fought and did what they could, but we simply weren't good enough to compete today."