Mixed feelings after Roglic's crash in chaotic Andorra stage in Vuelta

Mixed feelings after Roglic's crash in chaotic Andorra stage in Vuelta

Primoz Roglic has done some good business in the overall classification in the ninth stage of the Vuelta a España. The Slovenian leader of Team Jumbo-Visma crashed unluckily, but managed to fight back to third place on the Cortals d'Encamp in Andorra. In the overall standings, Roglic moved up to second place. He is six seconds behind Nairo Quintana who has taken the overall lead.

In the short but tough Pyrénées stage around Andorra, a large leading group attacked from the start. Robert Gesink, Sepp Kuss and Neilson Powless were part of the breakaway on behalf of Team Jumbo-Visma. Behind, it was not until the Coll de la Gallina before we got to see some action among the GC favourites. Roglic was attacked by Lopez, Quintana and Valverde from all sides, but the Slovenian always managed to limit his loss with the help of George Bennett, and later also by Powless, Gesink and Kuss, who dropped back from the break to help their team leader. On the gravel section, about seven kilometres before the finish, Roglic crashed due to a motorbike, which was positioned in the middle of the road after a bend. The Slovenian was able to continue on his way and it only took him a few kilometres to rejoin his rivals again. In the end he only had to give away twenty-five seconds to Quintana.

Sports director Addy Engels can live - given the circumstances - with the result. “It was very chaotic at one point. Not only because of the gravel, but also because of the bad weather conditions. Primoz crashed on the gravel due to a stationary motorbike. That is not okay and should not happen. All in all I think that, given the situation at one point, we have done some good business GC-wise. We are in a good position before Tuesday's time trial. Although we will never know what would have been possible without that crash.”

Engels continues: “The team has done a very good stage and was very strong. Primoz always had support until the final climb. With Robert, Sepp and Neilson in the leading group, the situation was ideal for us and we could use them if necessary. And it was necessary. They really did well so that Primoz could save his effort until the final climb. "

Sepp Kuss was the last to assist Roglic on the final climb. “It was a tough stage and it had everything in it. Especially the bad weather at the end made it very challenging,” the American said. “We were doing really well with three guys in the leading group. It’s better to send people ahead than to chase from behind. After all, you never know what happens behind. In the end it was a matter of communicating well. It is a pity about the incident with the motorbike. Luckily we were able to limit the time loss."

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