Vuelta a Espana 2023: Stage 6. Pictures of Siba Cossa and Evenepuel on the desk

American Seb Kose (Jumbo-Visma), after breaking away to win the Pico del Poiter, won stage six of the Vuelta a Espana.

The new leader of the race was the second Frenchman, Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ), ahead of Remco Evenbol (Sodal-Quick-Step), who recorded heavy losses against the most dangerous competitors.

Road and weather conditions

Mountain section, the end of which ends with the ascent to the Astrophysical Observatory of Javalamber (1966 meters above sea level) in the Iberian mountains. It ran for 183 kilometers and had an elevation of 3830 metres.

In the first part of the route there were two climbers Puerto de Arinelas (49 km; 5.8 km; 4.7%, Category 3) and Alto Fuente de Rubileos (83 km; 6.1 km; 6.2%; Category 3) and finally the steep ascent was left to Pico del Buitre (10.9 km; 8%, cat. 1).

The temperature at the start was 29 degrees Celsius, and the cyclists were accompanied by sunshine and winds of up to 22 km/h.

Stage progress

It was very turbulent from the start, before it was boiling all around, what’s more, after 30 km the main group broke off, and gathered again at the foot of Puerto de Arenillas (49 km). After the collapse of UAE UAE Team, they lost Jay Fine (UAE UAE Team).

After 60 kilometres, it was still clear up and a group of 39 riders finally got out of the way, with Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ) just 17 seconds behind Remco Evenpol. Marc Soler (UAE Emirates Team UAE) and Seb Koss (Jumbo-Visma) were also a minute off the pace, Steve Krass (Total Energies), Woot Boyles (BV) and Jefferson Cepeda (Caja Rural-Siguru RGA) were also in front. Seeders: David de la Cruz (Astana Kazakhstan), Remy Rochas (Cofidis), Juanpe Lopez (Liddell Trek), Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious), Hugh Carthy (EF Education-Easy Post) and Attila Walther (Jumbo-Visma).

The escapees after Alto Fuente de Rubielos (83 km) had a 7-minute advantage. The leader’s group was led by Movistar, alternating with Ineos Grenadiers and Soudal-Quick Step, and the main work was carried out up front by Jumbo-Visma duo Dylan van Parley and Jan Tratnik.

The gap started to close on the flying stage in Totegas (21.5km to go; [B]), the measured time was 3:18, and the escapees started the final climb with a lag of 3:55.

On the steeper first segment of the Pico del Buitre, Michael Storer worked Martinez up front. However, someone else attacked, 4 km before the start of the line, Ainer Rubio (Movistar Team).

Romain Bardet (Team dsm-firmenich), Martinez and Kos set out to chase the Colombian. Meanwhile, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) accelerated from the lead group. Evenbol began to flow, losing touch with the other rivals as well.

Kuss took the solo lead with ease, while Roglic was joined by team-mate Jonas Vingegaard and Enric Mas (Movistar Team).

The two Jumbo-Visma jumped away from Mas while Juan Ayuso (UAE Team) started closing in. Evenepoel has also rebounded a bit.

Kusz, not threatened, finished up taking the stage victory. And 26 seconds after the American entered, Martinez scored, which was enough for the 20-year-old to take the red jersey for the race.

Roglic and Venegaard came in tandem, making up Evinpool’s 32 seconds.

Wyniki Stage 6. Vuelta a Espana 2023 (2.UWT), La Vall D’uixó – Observatorio Astrofísico De Javalambre (183.1km):

Overall standings after the sixth stage:

August 31, 2023, 17:16 17:16