After two full weeks of racing flat out for Visma-Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard, the Dane’s untimely exit on stage 15 has forced a full change of mentality for his teammates, and that was already in evidence on stage 16.
In the absence of their leader, the final week is now an opportunity to look for stage wins, American Sepp Kuss told reporters at the time trial finish line after wheeling to a halt.
The increasingly strong form shown all-round by the team is an encouraging factor, and that was already shown by Bruno Armirail’s excellent performance against the clock, coming home in eighth place.
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“It was definitely disappointing because our part of the race was just kind of starting in that stage [where Vingegaard crashed out],” Kuss told reporters, “and just before the last climb it happened, so it’s a bit of – what could have been?
“But we still have a good group and the focus is already switched. We miss Jonas, but we’re looking forward to just going for the next stages together, and we should have a lot of fun.”
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After nearly a decade as a pro, Kuss pointed out that there are always going to be hard knocks in cycling, and over the years you get used to setbacks.
“It’s part of the sport. Crashes happen. And for us already with Jonas, that [Sunday] night, of course he was disappointed, but he was in a good mood. He also knows that it could have been worse; he’s had worse crashes in his career. And he knows he’ll be back here next year, and he’s already looking forward to that.
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“It’s just about switching mentally, which you’re already used to doing as a cyclist because there are always more disappointments than victories.”
Alpe d’Huez and Orcières-Merlette
For a mountain specialist like Kuss, the time trial, where he finished 125th, 6:19 down on winner Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), was definitely a day to get through rather than a day to shine. But along with his teammates, the American certainly has some potential targets in mind before the end of the race.
Top of those challenges is, logically, Alpe d’Huez, where a born climber like Kuss would relish the chance of success. And with a double summit finish, having twice the opportunities makes for two options at individual glory on one of cycling’s most emblematic ascents. But that’s not the only mountain stage, either – Friday to Orcières-Merlette also is another moment where he could be in on the action.
“Definitely. The harder mountain stages are where I’d like to be in the break and mostly just enjoy being in the front of the race in the Tour, which is special on its own. Stage 19 and 20 – we’ll see. It depends on what UAE do, but we’ll try every day that we can.”
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