Kuss limits the damage after crash in final kilometres of eighth Vuelta stage
Sepp Kuss finished the eighth stage in the Vuelta a España just over a minute behind stage winner Primoz Roglic. The 29-year-old American got involved in a crash in the peloton on the steep final climb.
The day after Wout van Aert's second stage victory, the peloton was presented with an uphill finish. On paper, stage eight looked like a chance for the escapees, but the classification teams kept the day's breakaway within reach.
At the foot of the steep final climb to Cazorla, several riders - including Kuss - were held up by a crash. The American then briefly managed to get back to the group of favourites, but after another acceleration by Roglic, he ended up in a chasing group. Kuss eventually crossed the line in 21st place, 1'07’ behind the stage winner.
“I felt good and we were well positioned as a team for the final climb”, Kuss responded afterwards. “In the beginning of the climb I got held up by the crash, so I had to chase. I still tried to rejoin the group of favourites, but unfortunately that just did not work out.”
On Sunday, the tough stage between Motril and Granada is scheduled. Three first-category climbs await the riders.
La Vuelta Ciclista a España
Stage 8
Result
1
Primož Roglič
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe
03:38:34
2
Enric Mas
Movistar Team
+00:00:00
3
Mikel Landa
Soudal Quick-Step
+00:00:14
21
Sepp Kuss
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:01:07
41
Attila Valter
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:02:40
69
Robert Gesink
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:06:33
71
Steven Kruijswijk
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:06:33
92
Cian Uijtdebroeks
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:08:16
96
Wout van Aert
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:08:59
97
Edoardo Affini
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:09:01
Rankings
1
Ben O'Connor
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
31:23:27
2
Primož Roglič
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe
+00:03:49
3
Enric Mas
Movistar Team
+00:04:31
14
Sepp Kuss
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:06:22
45
Attila Valter
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:20:59
47
Cian Uijtdebroeks
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:22:48
64
Steven Kruijswijk
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:31:29
69
Robert Gesink
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:34:39
84
Wout van Aert
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:43:09
141
Edoardo Affini
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+01:04:52
