Teamwork Makes The Dream Work! | Vuelta A España 2023 Highlights - Stage 18

Vuelta a España 2023 stage 18 highlights. A 179km mountain stage from Pola de Allande to La Cruz de Linaresi. Three category 1 climbs for the peloton today, the Puerto de San Lorenzo - 9.9km at 8.6%, and a double ascent of the Puerto de La Cruz de Linares - 8.3km at 8.6%. Could this mark an ideal stage for the breakaway against a tired peloton, or will bonus seconds available on the first ascent of La Cruz de Linares force a battle for the maillot rojo?
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[@Phenylalanin1979]

Being Danish myself I was looking for Jonas Vingegaard to win Vuelta A España when they started out. But the way this race has panned out for Sepp Kuss, I would absolutely love for him to win it now. It didn't feel right when both Jonas and Primoz just left Sepp to fend for himself yesterday and I'm so glad he kept the red jersey. It suits him very well. Sepp is such a humble, self-sacrificing, sweet and likeable guy. He has been there for Jonas at every turn for his Tour de France wins and it was so beautiful to see Jonas give a little bit back to Sepp today after all great work Sepp has put in for Jonas' Grand Tour victories. I hope to see more of the same on Saturday and to see Sepp in red i Madrid. Fingers crossed, he deserves it.

[@MTBExtraordinaire]

Agreed, but I feel like it is already tainted. By them going up the road yesterday and then staying where they were today, it makes it look like a gift and not an actual win for Sepp. I say this as a HUGE Roglic fan. Yesterday looked absolutely disgusting for the sponsor and the team.

[@Lordcock]

​​@@MTBExtraordinaireKuss also could have won the stage, where Jonas get his first victory, and at that point, he already wears the red. He stays in the platoon to give Jonas the chance for the victory, holding the other ones back, loosing time for the red......so c'mon, this is a strategic teamsport. Disguisting was the fact, that yesterday Jonas let Roglic win and hope at the same time, that he unfortunatly slips in red. After that everyone would blame Roglic, not him. Disguisting was the fact, that Roglic sprints like a maniac the last 2 km, knowing, that Vingegaard would follow him and get closer to Sepp........Landa safes Sepps ass😂😂😂😂

[@Phenylalanin1979]

@@MTBExtraordinaire Absolutely, the mess the last few days made me feel bad and I don't think the riders involved like it too much either. I wonder if there was a team order at some point or if Jonas didn't know how much time he took to Sepp on his stage win. But seeing them both take off and leave Sepp alone really made me go "what are you guys doing?". I would love to hear some the radio chatter and what is said in the team meetings. It's practically impossible to know for sure what was said, when all we get are little pieces from interviews with the riders or a manager. I just hope they have it figured out now and that Sepp wins the GC.

[@MrElias1998]

bruh who cares its a sport, a game. no one gives a shit other than people who cant control their emotions. weak!@@MTBExtraordinaire

[@dogensrb1108]

2 days ago Jonas jump for stage win and Roglic stay back and lose his second position, but yesterday Roglic jump for stage win and Jonas also jump. It is clear that Jonas has to stay with Supp yesterday. It is his 100% shame, not Roglic one. I'm very disappointed with that Jonas move yesterday...

[@philipp-rt8mt]

Since Remco has no more GC ambitions, he seems to have a lot of fun riding at the Vuelta!

[@shepshape2585]

I agree. This hard punching, attacking, freestyle version of Remco is quite fun to watch. And of course nobody can hang with him when he rides like that.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Jonas' entire bike behavior changed, likely from a big sit down session with the Boss. When Landa attacked, Jonas flicked his elbow to tell Sepp to go chase it down, as he wasn't going to in case Landa had more gas in the tank than originally thought, and Jonas ends up gapping Sepp. Then at the end of the line, Jonas clearly starts soft pedaling at 2 w/kg watts to bleed time off. Honestly, surprised Jonas didn't make it seem even more obvious such as dismount and sign fan autographs before finishing.

[@climbslc2281]

Vingegaard and Roglic proved themselves worthy teammates. No higher honor. Strong work!!

[@krakke3188]

Jonas gave up being the 10th rider to win 2 GT's the same year AND a GT win! The greatest of Danes! Congrats Kuss, You deserve it!

[@mtzlolp]

Great to see Bernal getting back in the fray

[@yvesrosenbaum7718]

Let's hope he could one day be back at the performance level he was before his accident, he is still trying to catch that. I really wish him all the best, he looks to be a super cool guy

[@JJ_Photo]

Yes - and he is, like Kuss, a nice guy. So maybe he can take Sepp's place on Jumbo next year, so he could win a GT! Just don't go the team where Evenepol is. I am sure he wouldn't care a bit about nice guys, and just ride on... ;) And everyone would say it is fine....

[@53glowe]

I agree...with so much else happening, this significant result for Egan Benal shouldn't have been overlooked. Great result for him 👍

[@NeillyVille]

I'm all for GC Kuss, it's his time to shine

[@bikeomatic8005]

careful its not over yet 17s is nothing

[@cameronreid8383]

​@@bikeomatic800517s isn't much, but did you see the way everyone lost their minds after Ving and Roglic attacked Sepp yesterday? Today was the first time they've worked to support the red jersey and I imagine they're done infighting now, so he should be safe assuming he doesn't crash out

[@justridingalongthewatchtower]

​@bikeomatic8005 You seem to be missing the fact that Jonas purposely sat up to give more time back to Sepp and make it clear to everyone that he isn't planning to try and overtake him on gc.

[@sidhayes6168]

​@@justridingalongthewatchtowerpathetic

[@veganpotterthevegan]

​@@sidhayes6168say the same thing when Kuss has come to a dead stop for Jonas?

[@dugldoo]

When Vingegaard and Roglic have won their VaE stages this year the first person to rush up and give them a big hug and smile is Sepp Kuss

[@billyrossi4661]

I sure would of love to be a fly on the wall at jumbo visma team meeting last night and this morning 🌄

[@asidelnik]

I love how honest G spoke in his interview about the Kuss canandrom. Was almost hoping Roglic and Jonas would race.

[@ehlava]

What a masterclass by Jumbo, taking as many stages as possible, spreading the wealth, and supporting Kuss.

[@leonardo3399]

Thats not what you said yesterday 😂😂😂

[@ehlava]

​@@leonardo3399actually, if you go look, i did say that yesterday. i think all previous days has just been media drama

[@user-go1vx6tl8n]

its pretty incredible that even if you take away the 3min sepp kuss gained from the breakaway on stage 6 he would still be leading every other gc competitor on other teams

[@cjohnson3836]

Imagine if team tactics let him attack up the road instead of Jonas or Rog, after gaining the jersey, instead of sitting back to mark Almeida et al. We really don't know how this tour would have gone if he wasn't splitting roles.

[@HRD01]

@@cjohnson3836jonas would destroy him in a head to head

[@mathiasmadsen1271]

@@cjohnson3836 He wouldn’t be able to take on PR and JV

[@IzzyPerezCycling]

Respect to Jonas and Primoz for holding back and protecting Kuss today. We all know that those two can win a Grand Tour. We didn’t know however, if he could’ve held back and not gone for it. We know now.

[@silasrobertshaw8122]

I 100% expected one of them to take it from Sepp today. A little surprised.

[@jonsnowwood2187]

Protecting Kuss from themselves, very awkward position.

[@Pierrrrrrrrrrrrrrre]

Definitely PR - everyone hated what they did today. JV could have taken it today...

[@silasrobertshaw8122]

@@Pierrrrrrrrrrrrrrre there was no reason to blow themselves up to keep all the breakaways in check. They had a nice ride in with all three spots on the final podium secure. They don't need to win anything at thus point.

[@snoopy178]

@@Pierrrrrrrrrrrrrrre I liked it. Sepp has worked to help JV get two TDFs and the Giro for Primoz. Nothing wrong with protecting the Red Jersey in my opinion.

[@diagofuller6958]

The opportunity for the fans in America to see the buses ride in the vehicles with the bikes on top going into these different towns is so more realistic for us and I've been watching faithfully for over 30 years. Getting up early in the morning to watch. The views from the helicopters are fantastic. Keep up the great work as I think Americans are truly enjoying this tour.

[@bertramzubi1921]

How The comments switch in 24 hours 😂

[@calvinmiguel4405]

They did the right thing today, but I still don't understand why Jonas followed Rog yesterday unless he wanted Red? 123 was pretty much locked up. TJV had already decided that Rog would win yesterday's stage. If it wasn't for Landa, could have been a different story.

[@darkiee69]

@@calvinmiguel4405 If Jonas wanted red yesterday he would've taken it and not just rolled in behind PR.

[@nevadosdecachi]

Jonas is fine if Sepp wins. He would NOT be OK with Primoz winning. Competition between Primoz and Jonas explains most of the weird Jumbo behaviour and poor treatment of their own red jersey.

[@gringo19860]

Sure has been interesting reading all the conflicting comments here😂. TJV were going to be damned if they did, & damned if they didn't help Sepp. At the end of the day, when you consider the big picture & history of this Team sport, although it perhaps was not 'the best' way to win, it was the right way. So congratulations Sepp!! (& team). Enjoy your victory lap 😊

[@eljanrimsa5843]

It's the best way for the image they like to project about themselves. It says: If you want to win a Grand Tour, you have to come to us. Here you will find the necessary team support, and if you work hard, remain loyal, and have the legs, you will get your chance to shine.

[@cjohnson3836]

Here is the narrative in the end. TJV will sweep all GTs this season. Something never before done. What's more, they will do it with 3 different riders, one of which is on the roster a domestique. I don't know how to state how big of a deal that part is. Its one thing to have a single rider like Froome to win multiple stages. Yes, that's a sign of domination. But not like this. When you can show up to a tour and say 40% of the team has the ability to chase the GC, that is such a mind warp for opposing DS. This is approaching the levels of the US basketball "Dream Team" in the 90s type of domination.

[@user-en9qd5nx8w]

@@cjohnson3836 The rich certainly do get richer, but TJV have earned it, the folks behind that team have built with hard work one of the best teams of all time. Times always change, it wasn't long ago when Team Sky was a juggernaut. Great sport to follow, always so much drama and intrigue.

[@toninavegan]

You are so damn right, my friend. I couldn’t agree with you more. 😃 very happy for Kuss, although we all know this win was kinda gifted to him. But he’s done the hard job in the beginning, getting into the red jersey and he has been better than all the field, except 2 amazing super riders that happen to be his teammates. What a story that is. 😜

[@leonardo3399]

@@eljanrimsa5843😂😂😂

[@SONA7DO]

Hopefully JBV have resolved the issue and from the looks of it I hope theyve decided to give red jersey to Kuss, who absolutely deserves it after all his selfless, sacrificing, hard work he puts in for the Jumbo and their main riders like Rogloc & Jonas. It would be such a wholesome ending to the tour with Kuss getting the recognition he deserves!

[@darbyjames7998]

I wish my parents loved me like GCN racing love Remco.

[@mrichards55]

Sean Kelly comes from an Irish farming background where mates do each other favours and you never ever go against the family. That’s why he supports Jumbo Vista’s team work for the benefit of Sepp Kuss.

[@lloydhlavac6807]

It was nice to NOT see a repeat of Lemond vs Hinault on La Vie Claire a la the 1986 TDF. Very happy to see Kuss still in red at the end of the day, especially as a fellow American.

[@user-im8tk1ik6o]

A Grand Tour victory created by fans. Now, let's vote to choose the next 2024 Tour de France winner 1. Sepp KUSS 2. Adam YATES 3. Juan AYUSO 4. Mikel LANDA Vote for the winner of your choice

[@RobertJWaid]

Big statement by TJV with actions supporting their words from last week. Three grand tours by three different riders cements them as one of the greatest teams of all time.

[@leonardo3399]

💉💉💉

[@collinbradford8866]

I look forward to hearing the real story in 10 years on Chris Horners YT channel.

[@imightbebiased9311]

Remco throwing up the international sign for "I want to eat a hamburger" at the line.

[@aradoran]

Did Jonas give the little time gap to Sepp at the end so that he can go for a stage win tomorrow without taking the red jersey potentially?

[@sweatydrug437]

I think he just wants to prove that he is able and willing to give away any much time before the finishling line, and to argue that what the public accures is false and unfair. I hope Jonas never joins a grand tour if he's not the GC. This whole shit is unfair.

[@dukeofistria5712]

No He wont be going for the sprint

[@333wheeler]

For sure must of done a track stand to let that 8 seconds yawn out a bit more to a safer distance.

[@Infiltator2]

Yeah absolutly. The whole point that he should not attack because Kuss is his teammate feels so wrong. Kuss isn't with TJV as a leader for a GT and now the leaders should step back from what there are supposed to do? It also embarrassing for the rest of cycling that the leaders don't even have to give their 100% every day. @@sweatydrug437

[@kevinotieno]

He doesnt need a stage win

[@carlrichards9333]

Hmmmmmmm it's going be interesting next season to see if any of these riders are at TJV.... Definitely a huge ? over this one and I'm sure deep down both Roglic & Vinnergard are somewhat disappointed ..🤔🙏

[@sabugdalantx]

Yes 6 Dream or 5 Dream World Grand Tour from this Team because of Team work and support! Kuss was a key support from all of that but yet the two Champion could not put their ego aside and help the man that help them win those grand tours.

[@The2014engineer]

IN SEPP WE TRUST 🫡

[@manukarda03]

Awesome to see Jumbo supporting Kuss! I think he deserves to win for all the support he gave to his team mates in the past months and years! this is the chance which rarely happens.. Happy to see Jonas is helping him

[@53glowe]

The GCN Breakaway Show before stage 18 was excellent. With Orla, Dan & Adam dissecting stage 17 in detail and anticipating the Jumbo Visma team bus briefing was outstanding...Dan's directions to riders was superb. Geraint Thomas's take was fascinating. Great GCN production 👍

[@woutermeijer2374]

Vingegaard actually said he wants Kuss to win GC, which was obvious today. Roglic said he's happy to ride for Kuss but ofcourse like a real winner he likes to win and go for his changes.

[@christineschreiber5073]

much better 😊

[@mountaindew7190]

This is going to be one of those memorable Vueltas, and for all the wrong reasons.

[@laurencetilley9194]

My faith in Team racing has been restored with PR and JV riding in support of the red jersey. Well done Jumbo-Visma, I am sure the team sponsors will be happy to see the most dominate team this season riding and winning in unity.

[@thierrynolevaux9268]

Jumbo-Visma... the Yankees or "bought team" of cycling. Thank god for Remco, who made the race exciting.

[@TylerKTanaka]

The irony here is the both Jumbo supermarkets and Visma software are not sponsoring the team going forward and the team has a sponsorship gap of over $5 million dollars they need to desperately replace.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

@@thierrynolevaux9268 I may be a bit off here, but I think Remco purposely lost all that time in that stage because he knew that the GC was unlikely and that being so far behind, nobody in the GC hunt would care about him being in breakaways where he would always be the strongest.

[@darkiee69]

@@thierrynolevaux9268 Oh yeah, all the other teams are small, homegrown, teams, put together with just some pocket change and a big heart. *Eyeroll*

[@thierrynolevaux9268]

@@stevenmeyer9674 Just shows that a team is required for the GC but none required for individual stages. Remco will become a more boring rider once he gets a stronger team. That last stage is a lot like Liège Bastogne Liège.

[@stevemt3238]

Glad to see how Jumbo rode this stage. The team is doing the right thing.

[@GuilhermeGomes12467]

That was perfectly said

[@fancyfreak9397]

Social media when it's worst!

[@Architect8573]

If Kuss win la vuelta as a GC rider, it will be brilliant story for Jonas Primos and Kuss All in future history. I love Jumbo Visma with the drama

[@gonzaloreyes8782]

Gregarious rebellion 💪👍

[@rumanshrestha9547]

Actually, yesterday stage 17, people didn't understand Jumbo Visma's team strategy so they criticized them nonsense! Thanks team Jumbo Visma for excellent co-ordination. Salute for Jonas and Primoz.

[@riquelmeone]

whoever criticised them yesterday doesn’t love the sport. today was a farce and their big guns held back. that was not professional sport

[@AJ-qg8mi]

Yes of course Mr. Smartass. Alsmost every expert on GCN and Eurosport didnt understand JVs strategy but of course you did.

[@ste9240]

@@AJ-qg8mi what is even there to understand?? Jonas is fine with not winning La Vuelta only if he loses to Sepp, he just doesn't want to lose to Roglic

[@holmbjerg]

​@@ste9240There is no point in letting Roglic win, when Jonas is clearly the strongest.

[@bostjanhribersek1205]

Today Roglic and Jonas help Kuss and not attaq him. My friend Primož. 👍🇸🇮

[@bullonabike]

Thank God TJV had enough respect to leave it be today. GC Sepp!!!!!

[@alessandromesquita5517]

Come on GC Kuss!

[@wonderwatch2239]

Humble pie 🥧 😂

[@user-im8tk1ik6o]

This is not a sport. It's just a well-written play. Now I know why cycling isn't the best sport.

[@owenrodgers8020]

It's called teamwork... has happened all the time, and will into the future forever. You only have to look how Movistar used to tear themselves apart with so many leaders. Barely won a thing when they turned up every year with like 3 contenders

[@GdF420]

Would love to hear Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault on this

[@patrickwong4824]

Look like GC Kuss should arrive in Madrid in Red. Still, that long semi-mountainous stage on Saturday makes me nervous.

[@thierrynolevaux9268]

Remco will be 1st to arrive in Madrid.

[@clauso72]

Why? There's no more excitement, Kuss will have a baby sitter all the way no matter how weak he is....

[@thierrynolevaux9268]

@@clauso72 The only excitement left will be Remco winning the stage into Madrid.

[@patrickwong4824]

@@clauso72 on Jumbo-Visma Mommy and Daddy orders, I presume.😂

[@aleksanderxhemo]

​@thierrynolevaux9268 are you Remco's gf by any chance? Irrelevant on GC, irrelevant even if he wins on Saturday. Imagine Pogi or Vinge stage hunting after shitting the bed on GC, no way.

[@jimjr4432]

Go! Go! Durango Joe! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully JV and PR will let Sepp keep the jersey tomorrow!

[@MrPete8118]

Tomorrow is a flat stage?

[@jimjr4432]

@@MrPete8118 Theoretically there should not be an issue, however, it’s always a possibility that JV or PR could forge ahead of Sepp.

[@BinaryClay]

Why would they do that? They could easily have done it yesterday and didn't :)

[@MrPete8118]

@@jimjr4432 how would the do that on a sprint stage? Do you know how cycling works?

[@SPMech1]

👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤SEPP ❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍

[@x-raymind7778]

I was holding out hope that this would happen maybe 80% sure this is the move no doubt about it everyone benefits

[@ericmothmora6511]

Bravo la Jumbo très beau cadeau d anniversaire a kuss et il la mérité

[@BreakawayB]

🇺🇸 Kuss is really going to do this, isn’t he!?!?

[@chivo107]

No he is not. He is getting it handed to him from other mercy, a sad sad day for profesionel sport, that they giv in to cry baby Americans, who has no clue that Sepp is NOT a GT rider, his role is domestique nothing more. Looking at the best rider in the race, hold back and destroy the sport, so the woke Nation is happy. What a discussing way to ruin a sport. Sepp will be forever know as the rider that got giftet a race, he never one it. Not even 2 place.

[@Na-zj3uk]

They are letting him do it !

[@GuilhermeGomes12467]

Its not that simple. He managed to be in a position to deserve it. Of course they helped him today (not attacking) and will help him to finish in red because he did a great Vuelta. Despite the fact they are betters riders than him @@Na-zj3uk

[@BinaryClay]

@@Na-zj3uk A win is a win - just like last year where JV didn't take the victory from Primos although he was clearly stronger. Cannot remember which race it was though 😂

[@Na-zj3uk]

@@BinaryClayagree. But there is a difference in letting someone win a Stage and handling over a GT Victory.

[@epincion]

Jonas making a statement at the end by slowing down to finish 10 sec later

[@boomshankah1123]

I can see that Ineos check book being waved under his nose.

[@epincion]

@@boomshankah1123 Roglic's nose not Jonas. Its Rog who is very unhappy

[@boomshankah1123]

@@epincion I would've said the same thing up until today, but now I'm wavering. Up until the weekend I thought, maybe, Kuss - he rode his socks off in the TT and put up a spectacular defense on the Tourmalet - then the american media decided to 'call the game.'

[@dirk6001]

That was not a heart but an O for his wife Oumi❤

[@stevenwebb9861]

Well I take it all back, honour in the team well done guys!

[@tonyg3091]

Meh, they were just trying to limit the damage

[@MrAntonBerg]

Thanks - you are the first (and only one) apologize, well done.

[@BinaryClay]

@@MrAntonBerg I have actually seen a few others doing it - not everyone sees the world as black and white :)

[@Joshua-dx7zn]

It seems that Vingegaard could have taken some of that time from Kuss, but most likely Jumbo Visma realized that so many fans wanted Kuss to get this win that they told Vingegaard and Roglic to stand down and support Kuss. I'm a Pog fan (who isn't in this race) but as an American, I really want Kuss to win this race.

[@zikaperic2133]

Kuss seems supper strong but his doesnt have that predatory character. Yet it's funny how with enough media pressure Jumbo had to stop Vingo and Roglic from attacking.

[@calvinmiguel4405]

Even yesterday, he didn't look exhausted at all when he crossed the line. I'm not sure what he was thinking following Roglic yesterday, but they both fell in line. I'm not sure if it was by choice, but either way I think it'll benefit them both in the long term. Kuss won't forget this and will remain loyal for future GTs.

[@babw]

​@@calvinmiguel4405I think his main concern was Roglic. Roglic wants to have another shot at Tour, so he somehow needs to show he is better than Vingegaard. Vingegaard is obviously the favorite to be the leader next year but, I think he knows nothing is granted and the decision depends on their form. So, in a way, even if he did not win this vuelta, he showed he could win it ahead of both Kuss and more importantly Roglic.

[@TheJazzDane]

Sorry, but I think this is nonsense. Jonas and Roglic doesn't care about what people think. They talked and settled it between themselves because they are great sportsmen (just remember Jonas waiting for Pogi at Tour or gifting Wout the time trial in 2022). People framing this as PR win or as Jumbo finally caving for the ever-rightful opinion of the cycling-media and fans should be ashamed.

[@Liofa73]

This wasn't such a hard stage as yesterday, Kuss would have easily matched Roglic and VIngegaard today.

[@gerttopmuller]

Takeaways from Vuelta: • Jumbo is so dominant the riders need to compete internally to keep the race exciting. • Bahrain has an ensemble supporting cast but needs a superstar. • If Remco is part of your breakaway, prepare to race for 2nd place. • Sepp Kuss fans are GC contenders for the most whiny, entitled children on the internet. In stark contrast to the man himself. Chapeau! Sepp Kuss!

[@alinapopescu872]

Yes, that's pretty much it.

[@charliedillon1400]

From the looks of the comment threads on all the cycling channels over the last few days, Sepp Kuss fans are comprised of about 95% of cycling fans.

[@jvk415]

@@josephsong8911I completely agree - with both you answer and the starting comment of this thread

[@MEB939]

Also: reassurance to all the other teams that their “one captain” strategy is the right one. The “however many captains” strategy started out as a dream for JV, until it very nearly became a nightmare, and even now some damage may well be done (who knows, we’ll see). The other teams’ DSs must be saying thanks to Jesus that it wasn’t their problem, deciding that all things considered it was best to prevent their star rider(s) from winning a double GC in a year (!!). Most star riders would be out the door in an instant, and the only reason this hasn’t happened at JV is the very unique team dynamics they have… which they also risked breaking with their indecisiveness. Now they’ll ride this as a team victory, but I wonder if that won’t make them reassess for the future.

[@marcelleclerc690]

At least riders inside Jumbo actually compete, that wasn't the case of team Sky in its time...

[@MarkTomeh]

We learned: the Dane is the best GT rider in the world

[@Tobiasibsen89]

a joke of an end, the 2 strongest riders had to let an American win due to sponsorships... Nobody can say Kuss was better than 3rd this Vuelta.

[@BinaryClay]

Correct - they let him win, but why should it be because of sponsorships? JV have said for a long time that he would be happy for Sepp to win

[@jamesgrady6847]

Here’s To Sepp 🇺🇸 🎉🍾🥇👏🏾😆👍🏾

[@thesuperheroteacher6101]

It's sad when the best rider doesn't win. It's really Sad for the Sport. I want to compete and earn my wins for charity because of an error by Jumbo Visma and past work😮? That's not what sport is all about.

[@alanm6454]

Well, after that stage all credit must go to TJVs super domestiques for getting Sepp over them hills and him keeping in the red. I did wonder though, on hearing that TJV were seeking a major sponsor for next year and beyond, whether they believe that the sponsor will come from the USA and therefore it will be more attractive if they held Sepp up as the main attraction as a grand tour winner. To my mind either Rogalic or Vingagard could have jumped passed him yesterday but were obviously playing to team orders.

[@BinaryClay]

Or maybe they are just humans like us and like almost everyone else think it would be great if Sepp wins ? :) Is roadbiking big enough in the US to attract a big sponser for a European team?

[@user-ne3zr9er1h]

remco❤

[@shepshape2585]

Amazing, they must have finally heard the people and told these two to knock it off. Glad to see it as Sepp has worked his butt off and deserves this victory.

[@StevenHadfield]

A race decided by social media, is that something to be celebrated? A loss of sporting integrity the peleton has worked so hard to rebuild.

[@shepshape2585]

@@StevenHadfield You'rejquite naive aren't you? Where do you think we get our laws, our morals, our ethics? From the people. We as a society decide what's just and moral and ethical and right. Some people claim we get that from some invisible man in the sky, but that's just man-made nonsense. When things are unjust, the people often rise up and protest, and while there were no physical protests about a bike race, the people made their voices heard just the same, and now a young man who deserved to be in red is in red. If it weren't for his efforts, Jonas and Primoz wouldn't have the titles they have, and I get that it's his job to support his leader/s, but when he puts in the work to get the leader's jersey, the world isn't just going to sit there and cheer while his own teammates attack him. It wasn't good for the sport at all, it wasn't good for Jumbo Visma (who, by the way, is a business and has sponsors to answer to as well as customers), and now it's settled. To see it any other way is quite inane.

[@ronal9871]

Charity race

[@jacobziewitz1835]

Honestly, the only reason Sepp Kuss gets to win the race, is because Evenepoel lost almost 30 minutes during stage 13. If he was still competing for Red, TJV would likely not have allowed him to try to win, instead using Vingegaard and Roglic to try to win. We have seen just how strong he is during the last week.

[@MichaelOnines]

Agreed. When Sepp took the red jersey it was the conventional wisdom that he was just a placeholder for a stage or two before Evenepoel or another strong GC contender took it from him on the Time Trial. Then Jonas or Primos would get the jersey back for the team with Sepp playing his traditional role as one of the premier climbing domestiques on tour. The two things that had to fall into place for this GC Sepp dream to materialize was Sepp holding his own in the TT performance (every other TT on a tour he has treated like a rest day) and Evenepoel exploding and dropping out of contention.

[@Liofa73]

However, the fact of the matter is that Evenepoel did lose 30mins because he had a bad day. You have to be strong and consistent for 21 days to win a GC, this year he wasn't. That's racing.

[@MichaelOnines]

@@Liofa73 the point is if Evenepoel takes the jersey from Sepp, the whole team including Sepp go back to the plan of supporting Primos and Jonas.

[@StevenHadfield]

Great win for social media, everyone in red tomorrow.

[@hollandmeester347]

Super Sepp is still in the red jersey, thanks to the Jumbo Visma teamwork of Mighty Jonas and Great Primoz.....😊 Dutch TJV won all Grand Tours in 2023 with three different riders.

[@mrichards55]

This could be the greatest thing to happen to the Netherlands since Michael van Gerwen.

[@velomaniaromania]

R. Evenepoel 100% my favorite rider for next years. Took me a few years after Cancellara finished his carrer in World of Races... but I did find a new favorite rider - Evenepoel 😊 hope to see you winning more and more races and cannot wait the spring classics for next year😂

[@danielkaminske5048]

If the Jumbo had worked together yesterday they would have increased the gap to their rivals and wouldn't have looked so ugly. I will never forget these repeated stabs by Jonas.

[@rindu.menanti]

Gg team JUMBO VISMA

[@brandongillette6463]

I don't have a great deal of knowledge about cycling history, but has any other team ever swept the podium of a grand tour? recently?

[@scottbaker5851]

No. There have been a few times that a team had two riders up there.

[@Shadowboost]

Not that I have ever seen for over 20 years

[@pietervandenakker419]

Maybe 1966 was the most recent.

[@tungstenkid2271]

If Kuss wins, people are going to ask him for the rest of his life if he could have won if Vin and Rog had been racing against him in other teams..;)

[@darvishn2396]

sepp kuss also knows that if they compete seriously he can't win.

[@tungstenkid2271]

@@darvishn2396 If I was Ving and Rog, the first thing I'd do after this Vuelta would be to sign up for other teams and insist I was team leader rather than have to play second fiddle to anybody again..;)

[@flooooooo0686]

Ultimate truth for cyclists is luckily easy: powermeter and you get very close to the energy expenditure as it measures the watts pushed. Harder for runners as running power meters estimate the watts and almost impossible for gym/CrossFit.

[@andriivaskovets5438]

Kiss is the real champ here! So humble and pro rider! Much respect

[@Nunz16]

Let's go Sepp!!!

[@Asger21]

I'm disappointed. The race is fixed.😢

[@jonathanzappala]

I’m glad they came to their senses and ended the assault on his lead.

[@dreamboy1545]

I feel like you guys are clowning Evenepoel too much. That solo break-away is no joke, and it's also the second time he did it, he deserve much more respect.

[@guitawrizt]

Were they messing with us or did the Bad Press weigh-in ?

[@r__b6095]

Why is Kuss so likely to win? Because his closest finals are teammates and they'll not attack him?

[@darvishn2396]

In sports, the best player wins. However, cycling is not like that, so it cannot become a popular sport. Victory is not something that can be conceded or given as a gift; it must always be earned by competing and winning.

[@Jan-se1nd]

This Vuelta has been a case of too many cooks spoil the broth.

[@simonjrgensen6761]

Indeed. And that is another reason why cycling can never be the greatest sport in the world.

[@BinaryClay]

Well, maybe it wasn't THAT exciting but I wouldn't called it spoiled when they take the entire podium ;)

[@Jan-se1nd]

@@BinaryClay No, not spoiled fro Jumbo. But I don't work at Jumbo. I'd just like to witness some great racing.

[@skoromoh_]

Good day. It's incredible stage Vuelta. I love this win by Remco ❤

[@allanvirimai7823]

Primoz and Jonas finally checked their twitter account

[@viffer94]

This was starting to have a really bad look for JV. Teammates attacking teammates just isn’t done in cycling which in the end is a team sport. Sepp has done the hard work for both Primos and Jonas for years dragging them up the mountains and giving it his all for the team. Had Jonas won the Vuelta he would have been facing a lot of questions about backstabbing and teamwork. Thankfully it looks like that won’t happen and JV will get its third Grand Tour win of the year without a lot of controversy.

[@53glowe]

Interesting that Roglic said to Kuss to keep fighting, keep believing. Despite what Primoz and Jonas do, if he's good enough he will win it. I believe he will get more help from Jonas than Primoz...Primoz is a stone cold racer🤔

[@kostissoultatis2634]

After following all the drama with Jumbo and Kuss I strangely forgot all other stories about doping! It is strange how the human mind works....

[@tonykoobairadu657]

People PL realise cycling is a team sport and you protect your leader. Regardless of how good or bad he his . He is in the leaders red jersey therefore he deserves the respect of the team to protect him at all costs

[@sundaydriver4496]

I have learned more from this years Vuelta about the role of teams and teamwork than the last thirty following cycling. I am stoked for Kuss he earned it... the JV players got played

[@MrPete8118]

The JV riders just followed team orders. Calling them players says all about your lacking knowledge when it comes to cycling

[@sundaydriver4496]

@@MrPete8118 I'm saying that JV played some strategic games early on that tied their hands... they played themselves

[@mikepeligro]

It's amazing how fans can influence Jumbo Visma's strategy through social media

[@53glowe]

Indeed...social media went nuts on JV attacking their own man in red. I was flabbergasted to see them drop him and ride away. Roglic particularly is a stone cold racer 😐

[@mathiasmadsen1271]

@@53glowe It’s amazingly generous for two of the world’s best gc riders to give a GT away

[@theupperechelon7634]

People should start apologizing for that the insults and hate that were thrown Jonas', Roglic's and Jumbo's way yesterday. They had their team tactics on point as usual. Now, let's start talking about Remco instead. That's more interesting today. What a guy!

[@oxber3154]

Nothing to apologize, if not do much buzz yesterday on all social medias, no way they will stop fighting each other and ruin their team reputation. Finaly seams team management re-evaluate, as they said. If they can win, they could win today. But today is Remco day. And non of them could challenge.

[@danmc7815]

Do not think many apologies will be given or are deserved. Roglic and Vingegaard attacked their teammate who was in the leader's jersey. The guy who had been their best supporter for pretty much all of their grand tour GC wins. If the team did not rein them in, and I were Kuss, my efforts on future grand tours might not be as in the past. The DSs needed to rein in Roglic and Vingegaard or they would have had little team cohesion next season. When the so-called leaders only race for themselves, it is not really a team. Roglic and Vingegaard did not rein themselves in, and from team comments, it was forced upon them. But, Remco ... He is a huge talent, that has been known for years. Can he become a great GC rider? Time will tell, but he can do anything else he wants except maybe win a bunch sprint or something like Paris-Roubaix. He is a threat in every other race.

[@loganleroy8622]

No need to apologize. They changed their actions after two straight days of intense disapproval from the cycling community calling them out for stabbing the back of their own teammate. The pressure caused them to change, or at least for Jumbo management to get their act together and force a team unity amongst the group.

[@jrgenmidtsianjohnsen4241]

⁠@@danmc7815And Jonas could attacked again today and gotten Red jersey but didnt. Kuss is a Great rider but not close to Jonas at all one is captain and one is domestique for a reason. Kuss could prolly be a Great GC rider in another team defo top 5-10

[@BinaryClay]

The FB police is not into excuses.

[@simonknowles4267]

What’s with Remco pointing at his helmet

[@BinaryClay]

Maybe his radio wasn't working ? He has mentioned that before 🤭

[@GdF420]

Such an anticlimax

[@user-mi1bj4jh3d]

TJV would be a complete team when Kuss wins Vuelta 23.

[@MarkTomeh]

If Jonas took a turn yesterday with Primoz he would be in red right now. They would have put much more time into Sepp.

[@jvk415]

Yup. No doubt!

[@Mike0]

Either Jonas or Rog could have gained 2 mins easy

[@johnnycab8986]

If Sepp hadn't helped Rog in 2020, Carapaz would've won the Vuelta and Kuss could have over taken Roglic. But he didn't.

[@aleksanderxhemo]

@johnnycab8986 that was Sepp's job though, to help Rog. Do you guys know cycling roles?

[@calvinmiguel4405]

Definitely, no question that if Jonas wanted it...he could take it. That being said, why not just pull Sepp to the line yesterday? TJV 123 is forgone conclusion and yesterday's stage was Rogs, so why not just hang back?

[@two20john]

Brilliant, that killed what could have been a really good stage. We now have to expect inaction so the media can sell the Sepp Kuss story. Hopefully next year they can win every single stage like and completely kill a grand tour.

[@dakilamoty5812]

Jumbo Visma ❤

[@dankochanek8056]

Glad to see Jumbo followed team order today. Could not be easy for the tdf champ though. Didn't look very happy at the end.

[@ExpertYouTubeCommentator]

disappointing as Roglic and Vingegaard clearly did not try...hollow victory....a fiasco of a grand tour

[@steveeb9567]

Seep Kuss is not the strongest rider. Does he deserve to win ? Not in my mind. Someone once said, "When you mix sport with politics you get politics".

[@hughjanus7354]

Am I the only one who didn't even realise that Bernal is in this race?

[@BinaryClay]

He is? I didn't realise that - ups