Cycling team Jumbo-Visma is getting closer and closer to overall victory at the Vuelta. But for now the Dutch have to digest the wild scenes that occurred in the finish area after the 18th stage of the Tour of Spain.
A member of the Jumbo-Visma cycling team got into a scuffle with the police shortly after the end of the stage on Thursday. This emerges from videos published on X, formerly Twitter.
First you can see the two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard taking a big sip from his drinking bottle after a strenuous stage. There is a Spanish police officer standing next to him, who is then suddenly pushed away with both hands by a Jumbo-Visma team member.
Two police officers standing behind the man immediately intervene and suddenly pull him to the ground. When the Jumbo Visma employee tries to get up, he is pushed to the ground again. Ultimately, the man is led away from the target area by a police officer by his collar. According to media reports, the Jumbo Visma team member was not arrested.
Vingegaard helps Kuss: Jumbo-Visma gets closer to overall victory
In another video, which was recorded from a different perspective, you can see how Ard Bierens, head of communications at Jumbo Visma, tries to talk to the police and calm the situation. Cycling superstar Primoz Roglic can also be seen in this photo. The Slovenian left the scene as quickly as possible to avoid any trouble.
From a sporting perspective, Jumbo-Visma has plenty to celebrate at this year’s Vuelta. The Dutch are getting closer and closer to overall victory, even though competitor Remco Evenepoel clinched his third victory of the day and at the same time won the mountain jersey with a solo ride on the 18th stage.
The overall leader is and remains the American Sepp Kuss, who this time was not attacked by his teammate Jonas Vingegaard. Kuss even extended his lead to 17 seconds. The internal decision as to who will win the Vuelta this year has probably been made.
“I would like to thank the guys for the fantastic work,” said Kuss after the stage: “They led the race all day long. Jonas (Vingegaard) set a fast pace right from the start, which is why I was even a little afraid “He’s so strong.”
However, Kuss didn’t want to celebrate the victory yet. After a somewhat quieter stage on Friday, the 208 kilometer journey to Guadarrama still takes place on Saturday. It is the longest stage of the Tour of Spain.