Kuss admits that not everything went perfectly within Jumbo-Visma: "It comes with the territory"

"Was I the strongest in Jumbo-Visma? First of all, I want to say that the guys did a fantastic job," the cheerful American said in the flash interview afterwards. "They led the race all day, and then we could rely on a super-strong Jan Tratnik in the final circuit. Jonas then rode at a good pace from the start, which even made me a bit scared. He is so strong," Kuss laughs.

"His 'easy' pace is already very fast," continues the man from Durango. "We rode a bit more defensively. That's what we agreed upon as a team for the ride to Angliru and for this stage as well. Not everything goes well, but that comes with the territory."

Kuss can no longer deny that he is close to his first victory in a grand tour. "That's correct. Friday there is an easier stage on the agenda, but we also have to maintain focus, even in this. Saturday will be another tough, long day, and it will be hard again. The major mountains are behind us, but there are always still tough challenges ahead," he keeps everyone on their toes.

After the eighteenth stage, Kuss has a lead of seventeen seconds over second-placed Vingegaard, who has repeatedly hinted that he would love to help his friend win the final victory. Roglic is now 1 minute and 8 seconds behind, while the first non-Jumbo-Visma rider (Juan Ayuso) is now four minutes behind in the general classification of this Vuelta.