- Vingegaard Wins Emotional Stage Dedication
- Van Hooydonck’s Condition Improves After Accident
- Vingegaard’s Pursuit of Vuelta Victory Continues
Jonas Vingegaard won stage 16 of the Vuelta a Espaa emotionally after pulling away at the uphill finish.
Nathan van Hooydonck, a “best friend” and teammate, was injured in a vehicle accident in Belgium on Tuesday. Vingard dedicated his victory to van Hooydonck in a post-game press conference. Jumbo-Visma later stated that Van Hooydonck’s hospital status was “not critical” and that he had not suffered serious injuries.
“I’m just happy to win today,” said the Dane after his victory. “We received some dreadful news this morning. I wished to win today for my best friend. Vingegaard and his Hungarian teammate Attila Valter informed Eurosport that Van Hooydonck was “awake” in the hospital after receiving an update over the team radio during the race.
“Now that there’s good news about his condition, it’s a huge relief for me and the team, and we hope he recovers quickly,” Vingegaard said, with Valter reporting that Jumbo-Visma riders heard the news over the team radio just before the steep final climb to Bejes.
Vingegaard, who aims to add the Vuelta to his Tour de France triumph, broke away with 4 km left. He finished 43 seconds clear of Finn Fisher-Black (UAE Team Emirates) and six seconds ahead of Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious).
After finishing the Tour de France with colleague Van Hooydonck’s support, Vingegaard appeared distraught.
When asked what his victory signified for the overall Vuelta race, Vingegaard responded, “I just want to enjoy this moment.”
The Jumbo-Visma leader struggled on the final ascent and finished over a minute behind Vingegaard. The American now leads by only 29 seconds, with Primoz Roglic completing the Jumbo-Visma podium 1 minute and 33 seconds behind Kuss and being passed by Vingegaard for second place.
After Monday’s leisure day, the return to action was not gentle. Even though the stage from Liencres Playa to the steep finale was classified as flat, it was anything but relaxing. On undulating terrain, the peloton lagged behind an escape group that included Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who accumulated additional points.
The tempo of Jumbo-Visma ensured that the breakaway was eventually recaptured, and then it was every man for himself on the 4.8-kilometer, 15-percent-grade climb to the finish line. As soon as Vingegaard dismounted his horse and rushed up the slopes, his colleagues’ plan to take Kuss to Bejes collapsed.
Also at the infamous Angliru climb, where Wednesday’s stage concludes, the 26-year-old will be favored to win the red jersey and close in on a Tour-Vuelta double championship.
