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Vuelta a España stage 8 report: Jumbo-Visma take stage and red jersey with Roglič and Kuss

The remnants of the day's large breakaway were caught on the final climb, where Evenepoel imposed himself but was beaten in the sprint.

Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) wins stage 8 of the 2023 Vuelta a España. Photo: © Cor Vos

Kit Nicholson
by Kit Nicholson 02.09.2023 Photography by
Cor Vos
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It was a good day for Jumbo-Visma on stage 8 of the Vuelta a España, keeping control of the large breakaway to set themselves up for an aggressive ascent of the final climb of Xorret de Catí. Still well represented where it mattered, Sepp Kuss put in an attack with 5 km to go, forcing defending champion Remco Evenepoel to pull the Durango man back with Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard on his wheel. Then with the defending champion lodged on the front of the GC group for the remainder of the climb, it was Roglič who sprinted to victory in the uphill kick to the line.

Kuss stayed among the surviving GC favourites to finish strong and take over the red jersey from Lenny Martinez who had been distanced further down, the young Groupama-FDJ rider slipping to third overall but keeping hold of the white jersey.

Brief results:

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Ataca Kuss!

Brief analysis:

Evenepoel won the sprint through the final corner and into the last 200 metres, but Roglič had the slingshot to the line.

Social highlights:

After his violent crash late in stage 7, it was a relief to hear good news from Thymen Arensman himself having been discharged from hospital in the night.

Job done for Jumbo-Visma. And not far off for Juan Ayuso who finished third after a few difficult moments on the climb.

A Vuelta Roglič is a happy Roglič.

Sepp would like a word, Primož…

Up next

Sunday’s stage 9 will be another one for the climbers, with another very hard finale: 8.2 km in length with a 5.4 percent gradient but much steeper gradients in the last few kilometers. The stage win will be tricky predict, however, seeing as the day’s early first-category ascent could make for a climber-oriented breakaway. Still, it seems like the power trio of Jonas Vingegaard, Primož Roglič, and Sepp Kuss are all worthy contenders. It’s a bit astounding to mention three riders on the same team as stage favorites, but here we are.

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