👑 King Küng reigns in Madrid! Relive the final last KM thanks to @CarrefourES. 🇨🇭 @stefankueng reina en Madrid con una exhibición. 🫡 ¡Revive su ÚLTIMO KM gracias a @CarrefourES! #LaVuelta24 #CarrefourConLaVuelta
"Finally," sighed Küng, after his Grand Tour stage win: "I was truly the best"
CyclingSunday, 08 September 2024 at 22:29
Stefan Küng, he's got it! The 30-year-old Swiss rider from Groupama-FDJ seemed doomed for years when it came to stage wins in a Grand Tour, but after so many second places and near-misses, he finally struck convincingly in the 21st stage of the Vuelta a España on Sunday. "Fi-nal-ly", Küng began meaningfully in the flash interview, following a commanding victory in the time trial.
“I’ve been fighting for this for a long time, so I really wanted to win today,” he continued, admitting that he went all-in. “With this course, I knew I had to start fast and then try to hold on until the end. I suffered a lot, but that was the case for everyone after such a tough Vuelta. I am so happy with my first stage win in a Grand Tour; I’ve had to wait a long time for it.”
“A masterpiece?” the interviewer then asked, referring to his nearly 31-second lead over second-place Primoz Roglic... “It’s always nice when you win by more than half a minute; it shows that I was absolutely the best and that this was no fluke. That’s great, especially because it rewards all the work we, as a team, put into the time trials. We did everything we could, together with our bike brand, Willier, and I always give everything and try to be professional. Getting the maximum out of myself feels good.”
Read more below the video
Küng builds confidence ahead of World Championships on home soil
The timing couldn’t be better, as with the European and World Championships approaching, Küng seems ready to go for medals in the time trial. "There are big events coming up, and now that I’m gaining confidence here, I want to keep riding this wave. The Vuelta was the best possible preparation for the World Championships, and now it’s a matter of recovering. I don’t need to look for motivation with the World Championships in Zurich. I want to keep going like this."
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024