On the steep final ascent on Saturday (September 2nd, 2023) up to Xorret de Catí, the best professional cyclists of the Vuelta were among themselves. This time Primoz Roglic won the sprint against Remco Evenepoel. The American Sepp Kuss is the new overall first.
With his eleventh Vuelta stage victory, Roglic underlined all ambitions for fourth overall victory.
The Slovenian also secured ten bonus seconds on the eighth stage after climbing the Xorret de Catí. Roglic’s teammate Sepp Kuss took over the red jersey for first place overall, making the successful day of the Jumbo-Visma racing team perfect. Because the Danish Tour Champion Jonas Vingegaard was also within striking distance of the top in fifth place.
Short but very crisp increase
“It was a tough climb, but I had good legs”, said Roglic. On the 3.8-kilometre climb with up to 22 percent steep ramps, Evenepoel was soon on his own against the three jumbo pro cyclists. Nevertheless, the Belgian time trial champion, who had shown weaknesses on Thursday and lost the red jersey, asserted himself.
Only shortly before the finish line did Roglic pass him. Long before that, the previous overall leader, Lenny Martinez from France, had lost touch.
Buchmann in 29th place, best German
In the overall standings, the American Kuss is now 43 seconds ahead of the Spaniard Marc Soler. The three top favorites Evenepoel (2:32 minutes behind), Roglic (2:38) and Vingegaard (2:42) follow in places six to eight. The best German is Emanuel Buchmann in 29th place (18:48).
Before the first rest day, a demanding ninth stage over 184.5 kilometers from Cartagena to Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca awaits the drivers on Sunday. Finally, there is a climb of the second category.