The strong Dutch squad is heading for Vuelta domination, the defending champion is no longer in contention for the red jersey

The riders of the 78th edition of the Spanish Vuelta have the last week of the race ahead of them. The riders of the star team Jumbo-Visma dominate the overall standings, while the defending champion Remco Evenepoel has taken a big loss and dropped out of the battle for the top positions.

Belgian favourite Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step had held the red jersey for the leader of the main classification since stage three, when he triumphed in the Andorran mountains. He stayed at the top of the standings for the next three days, with Kaden Groves winning twice and Sepp Kuss taking the mountain test at the end of August.

It was after his win that Lenny Martinez, the youngest rider in the peloton, moved into provisional first place. However, the 20-year-old Frenchman only withstood the onslaught of his rivals on September 1, when a bunch spurt finish in Oliva went best to his compatriot Geoffrey Soupe.

An important turning point in terms of the race’s development so far came in the mountainous eighth stage, in which all the other climbers were outsprinted by three-time Vuelta ruler Primož Roglič. The aforementioned American Kuss, his teammate and elite domestique, changed into red.

Thanks to him, the Dutch Jumbo-Visma formation has held the most valuable jersey ever since. Lennard Kämna enjoyed a stage win just before the opening rest day, followed by Filippo Ganna in Tuesday’s nearly 26km time trial in Valladolid.

After the wins of Jesús Herrada and Juan Sebastián Molan, another of the favourites from the yellow and black team made his presence felt on Friday. Two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard was the fastest rider to finish the Tourmalet.

However, events in the Pyrenees brought an unexpected twist in terms of Evenepoel’s position in the overall standings. The Belgian was losing ground throughout and eventually reached the top of the famous French climb with a 27-minute deficit to the winning Dane.

Last year’s world road race champion in Wollongong, Australia, made up for it the next day with at least a second stage triumph. After the 15th stage, Rui Costa was celebrating due to his escape.

However, there was no movement at the top of the overall classification ahead of free Monday number two. The podium positions belong exclusively to the members of Jumbo Visma. Kuss is leading, with Roglic a minute and 37 seconds behind and Vingegaard a further seven seconds behind.

The team from the land of tulips is therefore close to a unique golden hat trick from this year’s Grand Tour. Vingegaard’s reign at the Old Lady in July was preceded by Roglic’s domination of the Giro d’Italia in May.

However, current 15th-placed Remco Evenepoel is not without motivation heading into the final week of the Vuelta. In addition to collecting stage laurels, he is attacking to conquer the climbing competition. He is close to that achievement, as he now has a 32-point lead over second-placed Michael Storer in the polka dot jersey.

The green jersey belongs to Groves of Australia, while the white jersey for the best under-25 rider belongs to Juan Ayus of Spain, fourth overall. Experienced Czech Jan Hirt is 47th in the main standings, while debutant Michal Schlegel is 113th.

A pair of mountain stages, which may give a significant clue about this year’s champion, are on the schedule for September 13 and 14 after Tuesday’s route from Liencres Playa to Bejesus. The 2023 Vuelta a España will culminate in Madrid on Sunday.

Source: Vuelta a España