Having today lost more time to his team mates, and main general classification rivals, Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard, Vuelta race leader Sepp Kuss is still counting himself very much into the frame for general classification victory.
With more climbing to come tomorrow and Saturday, Kuss lost 19 seconds today to Roglič and Vingegaard after they rode away for on the upper slopes of the Angliru to take 1st and 2nd on the stage. That time gap means, with four stages remaining, Kuss only has a lead of eight seconds over Vingegaard in the general classification, with Roglič 3rd at 1:08.
Kuss rode the final of today's stage, including the small downhill section to the line, with great urgency. Any suggestion he was not comfortable with being race leader, or taking victory over his two bigger name Jumbo Visma team mates, is now completely gone.
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And if he can hold the duo off tomorrow - and other riders can mop up the time bonuses - on the final summit finish of the race to La Cruz de Linares, he should win overall. The climbs of Saturday are much more modest while tomorrow's stage and Sunday's finale should not bring about any time gaps between the main general classification men.
Quite clearly now, Roglič and Vingegaard have proven they are not simply willing to hold back and allow Kuss win overall. Today was only the latest instance of them making sure they got away from Kuss on this race. But Kuss says he wants his time in the limelight; that he definitely wants to win the race ahead of his team mates.
Today Roglič said after his stage win he wished he could win the race overall, though said the road would decide on the GC victor in coming days. He added he and his two team mates all the had the freedom to aim to win overall. For his part, Vingegaard said he would love to see Kuss being crowned overall winner on Sunday.
"Tomorrow is a stage we have to respect and a lot of things can happen," Kuss said after finishing 3rd today on the brutally steep finish of stage 17 on the Angliru. "Today was a really decisive day and the gaps are like they are. For me the situation is clear but we still have to speak amongst ourselves. They are two big champions. I want my shot, but I'm happy to work for them when it's called for. It's been a beautiful experience."
He said he never expected to be in the position of leading the race after the Angliru stage, adding he had started La Vuelta with no general classification aspirations for himself.
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"I was just looking to help out the guys, like always, but then I came into this beautiful jersey and all the experiences that come with it. I've discovered a new level of self-confidence and racing instinct and that was incredible. With the two guys I think behind the scenes we work really well together.
"Halfway up the climb, Jonas told me 'Sepp, you're going to win' and I said, 'we'll see'. Roglič felt super good, and just rode amazing. I tried to stay with him as long as I could, and then just limit the damage in the end."
He said when he crossed the line with Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious) - 3rd and 4th - he thought he had lost the race lead and was surprised to hear he had kept the red jersey.
"I had strange feelings today, but not in a bad way. It's been another day with my two strong teammates, my friends as well. I think we had a nice time, as good a time as you can racing up the Angliru. It was a crazy day," he said, adding he continued to feel very strong.
When Roglič was asked after the stage victory which one of the Jumbo Visma riders he would bet on to win overall, he said: “I’d wish it was me. But at the moment Sepp is in the red, and I wish him to finish in red and it’s also my responsibility to do my best.
“At the end, the road will tell who wins this year. When it’s so steep, it’s man on man. So I just did my best and we see what it means; all three of us are together and we just keep fighting. When Sepp was dropped, it’s a bit of a strange feeling. But in this race, we all have the freedom to go for it.”
Vingegaard said the main goal for Jumbo Visma today was to win the stage and maintain the general classification 1-2-3 positions; both of which had been achieved.
"I think everything went how we wanted. I think we can be happy with everything. To be honest, I'm still happy that Sepp is in the jersey. To be honest I actually hope that he will keep the jersey. I would love to see Sepp winning this Vuelta."
