2021 - La Vuelta

[idigTexas 2284]

I thought we were going to see Sepp Kuss get a chance as the team leader, but no such luck.  Roglič's bad Tour de France left him and the team hungry for a win.  Looks like Kuss has been working on his time trial, but still needs to improve if he is going to match his teammate, who appears to be back in top form.  Someone who isn't a threat to win the GC is going to have to go out on a successful breakaway in one of these early stages, or Roglič will be in red the whole way.

Nice to see Lawson Craddock make an appearance.  

 

 

[idigTexas 2284]

On 8/14/2021 at 8:54 PM, idigTexas said:

I thought we were going to see Sepp Kuss get a chance as the team leader, but no such luck.  Roglič's bad Tour de France left him and the team hungry for a win.  Looks like Kuss has been working on his time trial, but still needs to improve if he is going to match his teammate, who appears to be back in top form.  Someone who isn't a threat to win the GC is going to have to go out on a successful breakaway in one of these early stages, or Roglič will be in red the whole way.

Nice to see Lawson Craddock make an appearance.  

This is exactly what happened in today's stage.  I'm sure it is a temporary loan, but Jumbo Visma won't have to defend the red jersey for at least a couple of stages.  It wasn't a good day for Kuss, but American Joe Dombrowski finished second on the stage.  Unfortunately, he was in a crash yesterday, so is still way behind, and was not a legitimate GC contender regardless.  

[Whitewater Horn 968]

That’s more like it! Roglic almost caught Cort. That was a cool little climb and those guys were flying. 

[idigTexas 2284]

22 hours ago, Whitewater Horn said:

That’s more like it! Roglic almost caught Cort. That was a cool little climb and those guys were flying. 

Yep.  That last turn saved him from getting caught, but either way, that was a great stage for Cort.

With no Pogačar, the only thing that is going to stop a fit Roglič from completely dominating is bad luck.  

 

[idigTexas 2284]

Epic stage today.  Kuss gets in the breakaway and moves back into the top 10 overall.  Roglič does just enough to hold onto red.  I'm no fan of Movistar, but I've always liked Valverde.  It was a bummer to see him crash out.