Vingegaard grants Kuss the overall victory: "I'd love to see Sepp win the Vuelta," Team Director: "They can all go for it"

After the Angliru stage, Jonas Vingegaard is eight seconds behind his teammate Sepp Kuss in the Vuelta a España's general classification. Jumbo-Visma, as they did earlier in this Vuelta, put on a show. Primoz Roglic won the stage this time, with Vingegaard coming in second. Kuss followed closely behind and now has a small lead left.

"The stage win was the primary goal today," Vingegaard begins his reaction after the race. "Furthermore, we naturally wanted to maintain our positions in first, second, and third place in the general classification. Everything went according to plan, and we can be satisfied with the current situation. To be honest, I'm happy that Sepp still has the jersey," says the Tour winner.

If it were up to him, he would not be on the podium as overall winner in Madrid, he announced via a surprising statement. "I would think it's fantastic if Sepp were to win the Vuelta," Vingegaard doesn't beat around the bush. Before the riders arrive in Madrid, there is still plenty of climbing to do. On Thursday, the riders will have to conquer the steep Cruz de Linares climb twice in the final. The finish line is also drawn on the ascent.

Kuss has been the weaker of the two in recent mountain stages, so if the Dane stands by his words, he won't launch any attacks. Unless the red jersey wearer really falters again. There will be a lot of climbing in the penultimate stage as well. However, the climbs in that stage are not as challenging, so it remains to be seen whether significant differences can still be made.

Reef: "Sepp himself has said that it's difficult to give away gifts at this level"

The Jumbo-Visma team management does not have an easy task with managing the three leaders. According to team director Marc Reef, the riders can settle it among themselves. "We agreed that all three of them could compete. Then it's fair to stick with that, even on the final climb. Then they can all have their chance, and that's what happened too," Reef says.

"What I said when Kuss dropped back? Mainly the time differences and that they all had to fight." The fact that the American's had to drop from the leaders didn't change the situation. "We did say that Sepp would keep the jersey if Primoz won and Sepp finished third. That's the only thing we indicated. Up front, they then made the choice and resolved it this way."

"We've made agreements that they can go for their chances," Reef reiterates the strategy to Sporza. "Sepp himself has also said that it's difficult to give away gifts at this level. We're happy that Primoz won and that Sepp is still the leader." When asked about Vingegaard's remarkable statement, Reef responds, "Everyone went full throttle until the finish. It may still be enough for Sepp. It's a unique situation, yes."