“We used a more defensive tactic today. We decided that within the team, the three of us" - Sepp Kuss reveals he Roglic & Vingegaard discussed tactics after viral criticism
CyclingFriday, 15 September 2023 at 11:04
After the controversial attacks of Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard in recent stages, Jumbo-Visma were a much more well-oiled machine on stage 18 of the Vuelta a Espana. Red Jersey Sepp Kuss revealed post-stage that the trio had discussed their tactics following the criticism.
“The team did great. We were in the lead all day and in the last laps Jan Tratnik did a great job,” the American recapped in his post-stage interview following stage 18. “And then Jonas did a great pace from the foot. I was scared for a moment because he is so strong. But he didn't go all out, even though it wasn't easy. But yeah, it went great.”
With stage 18 being the last of the real mountainous challenges, Kuss now looks set to take the biggest win of his career and his first individual Grand Tour success. That wasn't assured over the last few days and both Roglic and Vingegaard consistently rode ahead of the American, today however, was different.
“We used a more defensive tactic today. We decided that within the team, the three of us. That was already the case for the Angliru and then we also talked about the tactics after that ride,” Kuss explains. “The tactics always change. Things sometimes go wrong, but that is human. Tomorrow the ride will be a little easier, but we have to stay focused. Saturday is a long and tough stage. Although we no longer go to the high mountains, there is still something coming.”
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- so sad...
maria2024202410-05-2025 - ahahahha.. but I think Roglic will be very happy to give you back the pink jersey (less interviews, less ceremonies, more time to rest).maria2024202410-05-2025
- Bummed for Wout. I hope he bounces back big tomorrowmij10-05-2025
- His manner of speech is that of someone who's totally laid back, not the nervous kind.
KerisVroom10-05-2025 - wow, Isaac Del Torro can TT. I am betting that he can surpass Ayuso in the future.KerisVroom10-05-2025
- van Aert will be happy if he can stay with the front group in that last climb. Pedersen will win stage 3 :-)
DareDevil10-05-2025 - Not good for Landa. Whole season gone already.DareDevil10-05-2025
- This one is for Primoz!!DareDevil10-05-2025
- Now I know Mads Pederson is a very talented hairstylist. I should have gone for this sort of hairstyle just for fun.KerisVroom10-05-2025
- Its everyman for himself at UAE if no Pogi. This was the case since last 3 yearsabstractengineer10-05-2025
I'm starting to be amazed by TJV.. The past 2 years they seem to implement intricate on-race & off-race strategies that are hard to read by opposing teams & even pundits. I am on the impression that their true bet for Vuelta '23 is Sepp. And they concealed their true plan to reward Sepp by sending rogla & vingo.
The "attack" in last 2km of stage 17 is a ploy to show other teams the there are no "gift wins" in a grand tour. TJV are also deceptive in giving information where Sepp (diplomatic), Vingo (supportive of Sepp), & Rogla (winning attitude) belted out differing answers to the media to create confusion. But if you dissect it properly, the "attack" was well calculated to still keep Sepp on Red Jersey.
My theory was quite validated when rogla & vingo stayed with Sepp on stage 18 and didn't attacked in the final ramp to the finish line when it's obvious that rogla can outsprint that bunch in that kind of finish. Vingo even acted as domistique and deliberately slowed down to give Sepp additional 9 seconds cushion when it was also clear that his legs are still fresh.
My theory will be completely validated if they continue to ride for Sepp on the last hard stage come saturday.
Happy Sepp is winning but that's a terrible guess as to what they planned🤣 Expecting Sepp to be this good in his 5th consecutive grand tour is absurd considering its the best he's ever done after all that racing. And the tactics of Jonas and Primoz were a nightmare for pushing that goal. Did they also pay Landa to help catch those jerks?
Super Domestique to win. Not the 1st time but he deserves it. Could have been a different story with only 1 rather than 2 team leaders...
He is not gonna get this chance again. For this Vuelta, he got in a breakaway in a large group and gained 3 minutes cause the main team of Remco was weak. There was a flat TT in which he will lost < 1.5 minutes. and Remco collapsed otherwise Remco may have dropped him. and then he was so far ahead of the main leaders, that they had to keep him in the jersey instead of relegating him to teammate duties.
Remco really had no business to win this vuelta, both Roglic and Jonas are stronger but holding off for Kuss.
They better be stronger considering Kuss pulled them for 4 consecutive grand tours before this