Updated September 9, 2025 09:39AM
Campenaerts DNS, Kuss Cautious, Romo Out: 'It Could Have Been a Bigger Tragedy'
Visma 'Dream Team' down to six before closing red jersey deciders: 'We have to be ready for everything.'
Romo started but soon abandoned Tuesday's stage at the Vuelta. (Photo: Movistar/Special to Velo)
UPDATED: Movistar’s Javier Romo — who crashed heavily Sunday after a protester provoked a crash — lined up for Tuesday’s stage with heavy bandages.
Romo started but was soon forced to quit, Movistar officials confirmed.
Speaking to the media before the start, the Spanish rider voiced his frustration with the growing tension at the Vuelta.
“I couldn’t enjoy the rest day yesterday and I could not even go for a spin. Well-f*cked,” said Romo at the start Tuesday. “I’m doing my job. We’re at a sporting event, and I think that’s what should be shown. We’re cyclists who train every day and lead a Spartan life, an example for young people, and [the protesters] are managing to show something else, instead of what we’re doing.
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“It could have been a bigger tragedy after crashing at 50kph,” Romo said. “Luckily, I only have bruises and some cuts, although with a feeling of rage. I’ll get back on the bike and continue with my job.”
Romo is the first rider to be forced out of the Vuelta due to injuries caused by the ongoing protests that have engulfed the race since it hit Spanish roads on stage 5.
“Someone tripped and couldn’t do as much damage as he wanted,” Romo told AS, referring to the protester Sunday. “I was involved and tried to warn my teammates behind me, and I crossed my wheel with those in front, and fell. I’m not one to judge. They’ve screwed up La Vuelta for me, that’s obvious, and I don’t think I’m the one who has to pay for this.”
Gianmarco Garofoli (Soudal Quick-Step) also did not start Tuesday.
Campenaerts out
Jonas Vingegaard will face the decisive final week of the Vuelta a España campaign undermanned after key lieutenant Victor Campenaerts abandoned the race ahead of Tuesday’s stage 16 due to illness.
Visma-Lease a Bike is now reduced to six riders after earlier losing Axel Zingle in the first week, leaving Vingegaard’s flank open to attack going into the Vuelta’s decisive final week.
“Unfortunately, Victor Campenaerts will not start stage 16 of La Vuelta today after falling ill,” the Dutch squad confirmed via social media. “Following consultation with the medical team, it was decided that he is not fit to race.”
Details of his condition were not released by the team.
That’s a big loss for the Dane as Campernaets is an essential motor in the Visma wheelhouse, especially ahead of Tuesday’s rollercoaster stage laden with potential traps across Galicia.
With just six days of racing left, red jersey rivals UAE Team Emirates-XRG remains at full strength in support of João Almeida, who sits locked in a tight GC battle just 48 seconds back.
“I am very disappointed not to be able to help Jonas bring the red jersey to Madrid,” Campenaerts said. “Before I fell ill, I was feeling really good and was able to do my job for the team. I’ll be cheering for Jonas and the guys from home.”
The loss of the Belgian bulldog leaves Visma further weakened as the Vuelta heads into the most decisive stages.
Two more knee-busting summit finishes are lined up on Wednesday and Saturday, where Almeida and UAE are expected to try to turn the screws to pry away the red jersey before the race ends Sunday in Madrid.
Kuss braces for fireworks to open week 3
Sepp Kuss said Visma’s guard will be up going into the final week.
“It’s the start of the third week. So, after the rest day, you never know how everyone’s going,” Kuss said Tuesday at the start.
“When we did this stage in the past, it was the 20th stage, so everybody was really tired and there were huge, huge differences,” Kuss said. “It’s a stage where you have to be really careful on. There are a lot of points where someone can attack and make a difference.”
Kuss cautioned that transition stages like Tuesday’s rollercoaster can sometimes produce more surprises and GC shakeups than the straightforward summit finales.
“We just have to be ready for everything and see where the turning point of the race is,” Kuss said. “In the third week, you always have different surprises. You have guys riding for their positions in the GC, and on a course like this you can make a lot of difference if you have good legs and you attack in the right time.”
