Kuss says Vingegaard’s pressure comes from within after Giro statement

Vingegaard attacked with 4.6km remaining on the final climb to Pila, distancing Felix Gall and riding solo to the line. The victory was his third summit finish win of the race and moved him into the overall lead, 2:26 ahead of Afonso Eulálio, with Gall third at 2:50.

Speaking after the stage, Kuss said Vingegaard had been clear throughout the day that he was feeling strong and motivated for the race’s first major mountain test.

“We knew how motivated Jonas was for today,” Kuss said to Domestique. “All day he said how good he was feeling. For sure he showed it on the last climb.”

Asked about the weight of expectation on Vingegaard, Kuss suggested the Dane is not overly influenced by what others expect of him. Instead, he said, Vingegaard’s drive comes from his own desire to win and to reward the work of the team around him.

“I think it’s just pressure that he puts on himself because he knows how bad he wants to win and repay the effort,” Kuss said. “He doesn’t take stock too much of what other people want him to do or expect him to do. He just expects a lot of himself and wants to deliver and compete.”

Visma | Lease a Bike had controlled much of the 4,000 metre mountain stage before tightening the race on the final climb. Victor Campenaerts set the early pace on Pila before Kuss took over with 9.2km to go. His effort immediately caused damage, with Eulálio, Derek Gee-West, Mathys Rondel and Ben O’Connor among those distanced.

Davide Piganzoli then continued the pressure with 6.6km remaining, reducing the lead group to Vingegaard and Gall before the Dane launched his decisive move.

Kuss was also full of praise for Piganzoli, who played a key role in setting up Vingegaard’s attack and again underlined his growing importance within Visma.

“We knew how good he is and how much potential he has, but this is the next level from that,” Kuss said. “Hopefully he just keeps taking it day by day and enjoying it. We don’t have any pressure on him, but for sure he can do some really big things as this race goes on.”

Despite Vingegaard’s commanding display and his new advantage in the general classification, Kuss insisted Visma would not treat the race as under control. Stage 14 may have been a decisive moment, but he warned that the hardest days of the Giro are still ahead.

“This was only the first true mountain stage, really,” Kuss said. “It went well, but there are still some even bigger ones to come. We’ll just enjoy this one and stay focused tomorrow. There are some hard days coming.”