Sports director Engels looks back on first week Vuelta a España with mixed feelings
Team Jumbo-Visma has had a great start to the Vuelta a España, winning two stages and having four riders wear the red jersey. Primoz Roglic is currently third in the general classification. During the last two weeks, the leader will have to do without helpers Sepp Kuss and Edoardo Affini, who are both struggling with illness. On the Vuelta’s rest day, sports director Addy Engels reflects on the race thus far with mixed feelings.
“We will miss Edoardo in the next two weeks”, Engels regrets the latest development regarding his riders. “He is someone who can keep Primoz out of the wind for a very long time. Sepp’s abandonment was also very disappointing. But as a team, we must move on and ensure that we are at the front with Primoz at the right times.”
"The opening weekend in the Netherlands was really phenomenal"
Engels enjoyed the opening weekend in the Netherlands. “We got off to a fantastic start winning the team time trial and earning the red jersey for four of our riders, and Primoz winning the fourth stage. That was a great start.”
Things can also go wrong, as evidenced by Team Jumbo-Visma’s setbacks on Spanish soil. “Mike was a little weak and is now recovering. Chris crashed yesterday and we lost two riders in the meantime. But at the moment we are in third place. Although we are a bit more behind than we had hoped, we should not forget that we have already won two stages. That’s good.”
"Hopefully, Primoz can improve a bit and be back to ‘the old Primoz’ by the weekend"
The day after the rest day, a time trial from Elche to Alicante is on the programme. The 30.9 kilometres are almost flat, with a small hill at the end. Engels is optimistic about his team’s prospects. “As always, we aim for the highest achievable. Primoz and Rohan are two specialists on our squad. If everything goes well, they will compete for the win tomorrow.”
The end of the week involves a lot of climbing in the south of Spain. Engels is anticipating a return to form for Team Jumbo-Visma. “We will continue on the same footing, but as a team, we have to see how we will absorb the loss of Sepp and Edo. Hopefully, Primoz can improve a bit in the coming days and be back to ‘the old Primoz’ by the weekend.”
