Armstrong and co see Roglic approaching O'Connor and condemn both Red Bull and Gall: "You don't do that, period"

With Ben O'Connor still in the red, Primoz Roglic somewhat desperate in pursuit, and some Spanish-speaking rivals in the lead, the Vuelta is preparing for a true apotheosis. "What we saw Sunday, the end of that stage. Jeez, that they stayed on their bikes at all," Armstrong opens his analysis, accompanied by George Hincapie and Johan Bruyneel, in amazement at the Vuelta a España, which is more challenging than ever.

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Allegedly, O'Connor is still in the red jersey. Analysts don't think it will stay that way. "The contenders have a crazy last week ahead of them, with that time trial still to come. I'm a huge Roglic fan, and you can't bet against him at the moment because, on paper, the differences are small." Bruyneel also thinks O'Connor has no chance anymore. "His team did a great job, but 1.03 minutes is insufficient. And Felix Gall surprised me. Earlier, he rode away from the leader; Sunday, he lost 26 minutes. You don't leave the competition leader alone, period."

Next, the trio had something to say about Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe's tactics. In particular, his team's decisions led to surprise. "That bike change doesn't help at all," opens Hincapie, who saw that the Slovenian also got a 20-second penalty. "I think that switch rather cost him energy." The Boss backed him up. "I agree, it didn't provide much. They switched in a stretch of descent outside a switch zone. It had nothing to do with a good switch."

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On Tuesday, Lagos de Covadonga is the top riders' next challenge in the Vuelta a España. "It's a fantastic stage. Roglic still has time, but he didn't look great on Sunday," Armstrong continued. "His toughness, on the other hand, is tremendous," continued Bruyneel, joined by Hincapie. "The team makes mistakes, but he will win the Vuelta a España. His climbing abilities are great," the former rider said of the Slovenian, who is in a good position in the GC.

The men further believe that Wout van Aert is reaching his top level quickly, judging by his attacking spirit, reminiscent of the Tour de France in recent years. "He attacks so much, wins several stages, and I think he is getting to the top level," Hincapie stated. 'It also seems, the freestyle way he is racing, that he is already getting ready for the World Cup. "He's winning in multiple areas again, which is a signal. He can even take the polka dot jersey," Bruyneel said. "This Van Aert can win the World Cup."