Geraint Thomas: 'Roglič isn't going to win the Vuelta a España, Kuss deserves more respect'

Heading into stage 18 of the Vuelta a España, social media and news coverage had been abuzz with the dilemma that Jumbo-Visma have created for themselves through their sheer dominance. With Sepp Kuss leading the race by just eight seconds and 1:08 to teammates Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič, respectively, the super-team have had a decision to make.

Most online reactions have been dismayed by Jumbo-Visma's treatment of race leader Kuss, with former Vuelta winner Sean Kelly offering his own disapproval of the situation.

Read more: 'What a load of baloney' - Sean Kelly lambasts Roglič and Vingegaard for dropping Sepp Kuss

Before the start of stage 18, there was even criticism from within the peloton, as Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) added his voice to those who feel that Jumbo-Visma should be protecting the lead of Kuss, rather than letting his own teammates chip away at his advantage.

"I feel for Kuss, I feel like he deserves a bit more respect - not necessarily from the [other] riders either - I think more from his team," a candid Thomas told GCN/Eurosport before the stage. "I think the team should be stronger with that.”

The feeling of a lack of respect for Kuss stems from the past three mountain stages of the Vuelta, in which Vingegaard has taken time back at every opportunity. This began on stage 13's summit finish atop the Col du Tourmalet, with the Dane attacking 8km from the finish and winning alone; it continued with Vingegaard's repeat performance on stage 16, and it has come to a boil with the antics of stage 17.

• Analysis: Hierarchies become clear as Jumbo-Visma drop Sepp Kuss on the Angliru

Entering the final 2km of the fearsome Alto de l'Angliru climb, Jumbo-Visma had the Vuelta sewn up. Their three leaders - Kuss, Vingegaard and Roglič - had dropped every other rival and were seemingly entering a processional final few days with Kuss in red, and his teammates locking down the overall podium.

But this tranquil utopia was soon called into question, with Kuss struggling to hold the wheel and Roglič proceeding to drive himself and Vingegaard away from their teammate and race leader.

© Sprint Cycling Agency

At this moment, Primož Roglič decides to press ahead - without race leader Sepp Kuss

Suddenly, it was made apparent that not only had Jumbo-Visma attacked throughout the third week to secure the 1-2-3 on GC, but they had attacked with no intention of keeping Kuss in red - a revelation that baffles Thomas.

"If there were other riders around, it’s different, if it was close, the fight for the podium for Roglič - [but] that’s pretty much sewn up anyway. Roglič isn’t going to win this tour, this Vuelta," concluded the Welshman. "So there was no real need for him to carry on to gain those extra seconds, in my view.

"He still could have won the stage and his position in third is still solid, so I don’t think he needed to continue at that pace - he could have slowed up a little bit.”

"If you're going to race it, race it properly"

After the stage, Roglič was honest enough to admit that he 'wanted to race,' but the team's policy of allowing their three leaders to settle matters on the road - unless a rival is in the wheel - does not perhaps offer a fair opportunity amongst the three.

In reality, the first rider to attack gets the assurance of knowing his teammates behind cannot ride to close the gap, for fear of taking a supposed rival along for the ride. On the Tourmalet and stage 16, this benefitted Vingegaard. On the Angliru, it was Roglič who was free to take the initiative.

Stage 17 report: Primoz Roglič leads Jumbo-Visma 1-2-3 atop Alto de l'Angliru

Thomas is of the opinion that such a game plan from Jumbo-Visma's management has led to Kuss being taken advantage of by his Roglič and Vingegaard.

"Even the day before, it’s like Vingegaard attacked but it’s not like he got a minute purely from legs, it was tactical behind. They stalled and they were watching, Jumbo guys didn’t want to pull obviously… so if you’re going to race it, race it properly, in my view," was Thomas' verdict.

"You can’t just say, ‘ah yeah we’re going to race, the best guy’s going to win,’ but then it’s quite easy to take advantage of that if you’re going to go and then the guys behind don’t pull because there are other guys on GC in the wheels as well... Do one or the other, you know.”

© Sprint Cycling Agency

Since dropping out of GC contention through poor form and misfortune, Geraint Thomas has gone in search of a victory from the breakaway

To some, Jumbo-Visma's policy of letting the road decide is fair game. It may result in the best rider winning this Vuelta, be it Kuss, Vingegaard or Roglič.

In retort to the wishes of those who feel Jumbo-Visma should be defending Kuss' lead, rather than allowing Vingegaard and Roglič their opportunity, there has been an accusation that a Kuss victory would merely be a 'gift' from his team. It would not have been earned, in other words.

Thomas was quick to shoot down this feeling ahead of stage 18.

“There shouldn’t be any gifts in a Grand Tour win," Thomas said, agreeing in principle before making his ruling on Kuss clear. "It’s one thing gifting a stage and whatever, but I don’t think just because someone has worked for you for years, you need to let them win. But I don’t think that’s the case anyway. I think he’s good enough to be in the position he’s in."

When pressed on who he thought was going to ultimately win the Vuelta, Thomas pointed to Vingegaard, but his answer was tinged with more than a touch of disappointment and a hint of intrigue.

"But there’s a lot of pressure in that team now, there’s been a lot of outside pressure as well. But obviously, I’d love to see Sepp win and I think most of the peloton would as well.”

Keep up to date with all of the latest racing news from the Vuelta a España on our dedicated race page, linked here.

We are showing live and on-demand coverage of all 21 stages of this year’s Vuelta a España (territory restrictions apply) from Saturday, August 26 to Sunday, September 17, plus daily expert analysis on The Breakaway. Head over to GCN+ now to watch stage 18 unfold!