Team Jumbo-Visma did not claim a leading role in the seventh stage of the Vuelta a España on Friday, electing instead to save energy ahead of a big weekend.
In the transition stage from Camargo to Cistierna, the victory went to a fugitive, Jesus Herrada of Cofidis. The Dutch team’s focus is now on the weekend, which will contain plenty of climbing and allow Durangoan Sepp Kuss to show his mountain skills.
“We were able to keep relatively calm. We wanted to recharge the battery wherever possible to prepare for the weekend,” said sports director Maarten Wynants. “Then we will get plenty of opportunities. Shortly after, the time trial will is on the program. We try to use every opportunity to regain time, so it’s also nice to have a day that allows us not to do too much work.”
Primoz Roglic finished with the peloton in 31st place, 29 seconds behind Herrada and remained in fourth place in the general classification, trailing Remco Evenepoel of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl by 1:01.
Kuss also finished with the peloton, in 37th, and is 14th in the general classification, 2:09 back.
Sam Bennett of BORA hansgrove is in the green jersey with 142 points, leading Mads Pederson of Trek Segafredo by 15.
The riders will race 153.4 kilometers Saturday and 171.4 kilometers Sunday before getting a day off before a 30.9 kilometer individual time trial on Tuesday.
