Vingegaard attacks teammate Sepp Kuss to take Stage 16 win

Jonas Vingegaard soloed to victory in the Vuelta a Espana stage 16 on Tuesday to climb to second overall, 29 seconds behind teammate and current race leader Sepp Kuss

The American Jumbo-Visma rider has led the standings since stage eight but back-to-back Tour de France winner Vingegaard has now trimmed that advantage to a narrow margin.

Danish star Vingegaard admitted on Monday's rest day he suffered severe stomach problems in the first few stages of the race and said he was glad to still be involved – now he is firmly in contention for a third Grand Tour triumph.

Earlier on Tuesday another rider for the Dutch team, Nathan Van Hooydonck, was left in hospital after being involved in a car crash in Belgium.

Vingegaard dedicated his victory to “best friend” and teammate Nathan van Hooydonck, who was injured in a car crash in Belgium on Tuesday. A later Jumbo-Visma statement said that Van Hooydonck’s condition was “not critical” in hospital and he had not suffered serious injuries.

“I’m just happy to win today,” the Dane said afterwards. “We had some terrible news this morning. I wanted to win for my best friend today.” Vingegaard and his Hungarian teammate, Attila Valter, both told Eurosport that Van Hooydonck was “awake” in hospital after being given an update over the team radio while racing.

“Luckily now there is good news about his condition, it’s a big relief for me and the team, and we hope he will recover soon,” Vingegaard added, with Valter reporting that Jumbo-Visma riders got the news over the team radio just before the steep final climb to Bejes.

Vingegaard would not be drawn on whether he would wrestle the red jersey on Wednesday from Kuss, who usually takes an assisting role rather than the limelight, "I just want to enjoy this moment and not think about that," he added.

The peloton kept up a high speed on the wet run from Liencres beach to Bejes in Cantabria, a short 120.5 kilometres with a tricky category two climb finale.

The race started in the rain with plenty of attacks, but no solid breakaway formed, the group intact after 50 kilometres.

Halfway through the race the day's break finally formed, including green jersey holder Kaden Groves.

It was swallowed up with 10 kilometres to go and Vingegaard attacked first on the final climb with four remaining.

Nobody could catch him and now he sits close behind Kuss with three-time Vuelta winner and their teammate Primoz Roglic third, one minute and 33 behind the red jersey holder.

Stage 17 on Wednesday will likely be a crucial one in the general classification battle, running 124.5 kilometres between Ribadesella and Altu de L'Angliru.

The 78th edition of the Vuelta ends on Sunday in Madrid after 21 stages and 3 153.8 kilometres.

VIDEO: 2023 La Vuelta Stage 16 Highlights

2023 La Vuelta Stage 16 Top 10

1  VINGEGAARD Jonas Jumbo-Visma 2:38:23
2  FISHER-BLACK Finn UAE Team Emirates 0:43
3  POELS Wout Bahrain - Victorious 0:49
4  STORER Michael Groupama - FDJ 0:55
5  AYUSO Juan UAE Team Emirates 1:01
6  MAS Enric Movistar Team 1:01
7  VLASOV Aleksandr BORA - hansgrohe 1:01
8  ROGLIC Primož Jumbo-Visma 1:01
9  LANDA Mikel Bahrain - Victorious 1:05
10  KUSS Sepp Jumbo-Visma 1:05

2023 La Vuelta GC after Stage 16 Top 10

1  KUSS Sepp Jumbo-Visma 57:18:10
2  VINGEGAARD Jonas Jumbo-Visma 0:29
3  ROGLIC Primož Jumbo-Visma 1:33
4  AYUSO Juan UAE Team Emirates 2:33
5  MAS Enric Movistar Team 3:02
6  SOLER Marc UAE Team Emirates 3:28
7  LANDA Mikel Bahrain - Victorious 4:12
8  VLASOV Aleksandr BORA - hansgrohe 4:58
9  UIJTDEBROEKS Cian BORA - hansgrohe 5:38
10  ALMEIDA João UAE Team Emirates 8:43