Vingegaard earns a brace of 2023 Vuelta wins, closes gap on teammate Kuss

It was a strange situation on Tuesday’s summit finish at 78th La Vuelta Ciclista a España, with Jonas Vingegaard attacking his own teammate in the red jersey Sepp Kuss and jumping over another teammate Primož Roglič in the GC while winning his second stage. The Dane also won Stage 13. Kuss retained the red jersey by 29 seconds over Vingegaard.

The Course

The first stage of the Vuelta’s final week was short and sweet. Only 120 km separated the start town of Liencres Playa with the finish in Bejes. The summit finish, new to the Vuelta, was 4.9 km of 8.5 percent. Again, there was rain.

Week three of #LaVuelta23 kicks off with a flat and short stage culminating in a steep finish on La Hermida. pic.twitter.com/1LqlRyMNGn

— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) September 12, 2023

Jumbo-Visma were racing with heavy hearts on Tuesday, having received news that their teammate Nathan van Hooydonck fell ill while driving and was involved in a car accident. Although word that he was in critical condition and in a medically induced coma was unconfirmed, the 27 year old’s wellbeing was on the Dutch Bee’s minds.

We can confirm that earlier today our rider Nathan van Hooydonck became unwell while driving his car, leading to his involvement in a traffic accident. He was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he is receiving good medical care. We cannot confirm rumours that his…

— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) September 12, 2023

A ten-rider breakaway splashed clear soon after the start. Ineos pulled the peloton and soon the refugees were caught. In the middle of the parcours, there was some uncertainty as to whether a breakaway would be able to go. Bids to get clear failed as the rain tipped down. The speed was 48.2 km/hr in the first hour.

Then a sextet skipped away but didn’t roll up a big advantage. The race sprinted towards the Bejes climb. Jumbo-Visma’s commitment ensured that the escape wouldn’t make it to the ascent intact.

Jumbo hit the climb at the front. Hungarian champion Attila Valter has been a rock this Vuelta and he led for the Dutch Bees. Jonas Vingegaard attacked with 3.8 km to climb. Finn Fisher-Black was his closest pursuer. Primoz Roglič stayed with the red jersey. The Dane’s gap was 1:14 at the red kite. Roglič made a surge; Enric Mas and Juan Ayuso followed. Sepp Kuss lost the wheels but came back, losing only four seconds to Roglič.

Wednesday might just be the queen stage: 124 km with two Cat. 1s and a summit finish on the nasty Angliru.

78th La Vuelta Ciclista a España Stage 16
1) Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark/Jumbo-Visma) 2:38:23
2) Finn Fisher-Black (New Zealand/UAE-Emirates) +0:43
3) Wout Poels (The Netherlands/Bahrain-Victorious) +0:49

78th La Vuelta Ciclista a España GC
1) Sepp Kuss (USA/Jumbo-Visma) 57:18:10
2) Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark/Jumbo-Visma) +0:29
3) Primož Roglič (Slovenia/Jumbo-Visma) +1:33