"Who was actually the best?" - Jose De Cauwer has lingering question as 2023 Vuelta a Espana comes to a conclusion

Sepp Kuss has won the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, the first individual Grand Tour success of his career. Given the internal power struggle within Jumbo-Visma that ultimately saw Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic hold off their attacks though, Sporza analyst Jose De Cauwer is left wondering.

"In the end they created a unity, which is not easy with all those sportsmen from different backgrounds, from other countries and with their own goals. To rise above that and to arrange that: congratulations," the Belgian says to Sporza as part of their Vuelta a Espana analysis. "But it was all a bit predictable at the end. Were they allowed to race with Team Jumbo-Visma? Did they want to do that? Ultimately not. I'm not talking about a negative feeling, but who was actually the best?"

The man who had been expected to be Jumbo-Visma's biggest challenge for the Red Jersey, Remco Evenepoel saw his GC challenge fall away but three stage wins and a King of the Mountains win have ensured his Vuelta hasn't been without success.

"The final balance is good. He proved last year that he can win a Grand Tour. And he had a great and special year. But there was that one stupid day towards the Tourmalet... That's food for thought," De Cauwer says of his compatriot's race. "That little question mark remains. What would he have done on the Angliru against these men? Everyone will remain with that question. They have no explanation, so it has not been solved yet. Although they are already providing the solution with another program."