'We didn't ride to keep it' - Vingegaard content to farm out Vuelta red jersey

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) started stage 6 of the Vuelta as the race leader, but he conceded the red jersey to Torstein Træen (Bahrain-Victorious), with the Norwegian gaining significant time from finishing second on the stage behind Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in the breakaway. 

Træen now leads the general classification by 31 seconds over breakaway compatriot Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), while Vingegaard remains the best placed of the overall favourites in fifth, 2:33 down. 

“I think it's okay. It was a bit difficult to gain time on the competitors today. We tried, and then of course we lost the leader's jersey, but we didn't ride to keep it, so it's fine for us,” said Vingegaard after stage 6 to TV2after losing the red jersey, a day after he had regained it as a result of the team time trial.

Vingegaard was the first to respond from the general classification contenders when the in-form Giulio Ciccone launched an attack. The Dane looked comfortable in the wheel and was willing at one point to take the initiative with the pace setting. 

In the end, things came back together, and Vingegaard ended as the second rider to cross the line in a GC group of twelve, 4:19 behind stage winner Vine and which also featured his two American teammates, Matteo Jorgenson and Sepp Kuss. All in all, a satisfactory day of work for the Dutch team, and Vingegaard concurred.

“I actually think I was riding well. We have always said that we think I will get better during the Vuelta. My legs were good, and we can look forward to the last 15 stages," said Vingegaard.

Another positive for Vingegaard and Visma was the fact that Juan Ayuso shipped significant time, ending his GC challenge, leaving UAE Team Emirates-XRG with one GC leader in João Almeida.

Aysuo finished 62nd on the day, 12:51 behind the stage winner and his teammate Jay Vine, and despite the 22-year-old admitting "I didn't have the weight of the general classification on my shoulders," it still comes as a positive for Vingegaard that UAE are one rider weaker in a GC capacity.

“Before today, UAE had two leaders, and now one of them has lost minutes, I think. So it was good for us," said Vingegaard.