Road Cycling
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Despite his Vuelta a Burgos form, George didn't get picked for the big Vuelta. I think he was on a two year contract at UAE and it hasn't really gone as planned, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him move(d) on.
Finn Fisher-Black is on the UAE team - and Sam Gaze is also riding. I saw FFB sprinting against Vingegaard to try to deny Jonas two bonus seconds in an intermediate sprint a couple of days ago (Finn didn't manage it).
Interestingly, there's been a bit of a Lieutenants' Revolt in the Vuelta. Well, not really, but Sepp Kuss and Mark Soler were allowed in a strong breakaway a couple of days ago and stole more than a couple of minutes on the big GC contenders.
Kuss is presently in the red jersey, 43 seconds ahead of Soler. Kuss is 2.31 ahead of Remco and then you can throw a blanket over the big GC contenders: Roglic, Vingegaard, Mas, Ayuso, Almeida.
I'd really like to see Jumbo Visma back Kuss to win the whole thing. A super-domestique who has done so much to help others win big Tours. However, the crux for Sepp (and Soler) will probably come on Stage 10 - an individual time trial. Not usually his forte, but it's hard to know quite how good these guys can be, because they're often not going completely hard out in ITT's.
I'd guess Sepp would need to retain plenty of time over Remco, for TJV to back him - given they've got Jonas and Primoz, who probably have Remco covered anyway.
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The Vuelta continues and Sepp Kuss continues to lead, but after last night his teammate is now breathing down his neck.
TJV is in total control with Kuss in the Jersey, Vingegaard taking over a minute out of Kuss last night and just 29 seconds back - and Roglic now third 1.33 off the pace.
BUT, the big news is that Finn Fisher-Black finished second on the stage - chasing Vingegaard up the final climb - eventually 43 seconds behind - but, able to hold off everyone else.
Lanterne Rouge giving some analysis of a bit of intra-team strangeness in the tactics.
I hope TJV won't let Jonas win unless Kuss completely cracks.
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Roglic clearly wants to win, and they pushed Kuss right to the edge today on Angliru. They dropped him in the last couple of kms.
I think Jonas got stuck as he doesn't want to potentially give up heaps of time if Kuss cracks and thankfully Kuss caught a wheel and managed to keep the red jersey.
I know they are competitors, but it would be neat if Kuss could get this one. And, if Roglic keeps pushing, I hope Jonas smashes him - I think he has his legs back.
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@gt12 It seems like weird and selfish stuff from Roglic.
I don't think he can win, because Jonas has him well covered and today pretty clearly shows Jonas isn't going to give him time. Roglic may force Jonas to beat Sepp.
Sepp has had several years sacrificing himself to help these guys win big tours - if they take this one off him - and there's no doubt that Jonas could - I reckon Sepp might one day go "You know what - fuck you", when they really need him.
I guess I don't understand the mentality.
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An interesting summary. Seems about right.
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Yeah, I'm not sure where Jonas stands, but it feels like they are lacking a little leadership here, they could have three different winners of the three tours. As a team, I'd be pushing that, but maybe they are more worried about losing Roglic than Kuss.
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@gt12 Looks like TJV has realized it would be a bit of a PR fiasco if they don't support Sepp to win. I'd imagine there's lots of American cycling fans would be hugely pissed.
Flat stage, hilly stage, finale.
With luck he should be good from here.
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likely leaving cause of the merger between jumbo and quickstep.. will be 4 grandie tour winners on one team. be a few more movements
anyhoo - in more important news closer to home. Youngest took out her age group in the Nat road cycling champs last weekend.
bit of a stressed dad moment - got caught right on the line (her closest to camera) she snuck it by millimeters if the line was 10cm further she would have lost!
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@WillieTheWaiter thats awesome!
My sons mates came 1st and 2nd in U14 boys.
Do they get pretty big numbers to that event?
