There was even more drama for Jumbo-Visma after the stage

Strange post-race incident after exciting Stage 18

Photo by: MLaGattina/Twitter

Matt Hansen September 14, 2023

The fun never stops at the Vuelta a España, it seems. Remco Evenepoel managed to salvage his Vuelta by securing his KOM lead with a triumphant performance on Thursday, riding solo for 29 km, claiming his third stage win and marking his seventh career Grand Tour stage victory. On the same day, Sepp Kuss, who wore the red jersey, faced no attacks from his teammates and successfully retained his position. All eyes were on Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič as the lead group hit the final climb. But the Jumbo-Visma leaders found themselves in Kuss’s cleats, as they themselves became super domestiques for the American.

Evenepoel claims hat trick of 2023 Vuelta stage victories

With three stages remaining, Kuss looks poised to take his first Grand Tour ever. The last time an American won a Vuelta was Chris Horner in 2013, who at 41, is the oldest cyclist to ever win a GT.

But there were some tense moments just after the finish line of Stage 18. When a Jumbo-Visma soigneur went to check on Vingegaard, he was tackled by the Spanish Civil Guard. Despite wearing a Jumbo vest, the authorities somehow thought he might be an overzealous fan.

Situación en el final de etapa. La policía intentando poner orden, empujó a un auxiliar del Jumbo mientras asistía a los corredores. La situación se puso tensa y terminaron en el suelo. El asistente no fue detenido, pero se vivió un momento desagradable. #LaVuelta23 pic.twitter.com/WRKvhsKRcX

— Marcelo La Gattina (@MLaGattina) September 14, 2023

Strangely something similar occurred at the stage 11 finish line of the Vuelta a España when Jesus Herrada’s soigneur was taken out. He was thrilled with Herrada’s win and went to greet him, but the police grabbed him instead, not knowing he was part of the Bahrain squad.

Here’s another clip of the incident following Thursday’s finish.

Incidente en la línea de meta de La Vuelta.

📌 Un auxiliar de Jumbo se enzarzó con la Policía y tuvo que ser reducido en el suelo.

📌 Vingegaard ha ido después a preguntarle cómo estaba.

📌 Los agentes insistían en que las normas hay que cumplirlas.

🎥 @danielarribas96 pic.twitter.com/LzQoXVPdEA

— Relevo (@relevo) September 14, 2023