Simply incredible! Colin Stüssi extends lead in 84th Volta Portugal before final stage with mighty act on ninth stage!

 

The ninth stage the hardest for Team Vorarlberg! On the one hand 175 kilometers with again unbelievable 4411 meters of altitude and the next mountain stop on the Mondim de Basto, but above all the certainty that today all have only one mission – to drive Colin Stüssi from the yellow to jersey!

 

Team Work = Dream Work

After the neutral start immediately most violent attacks against the Vorarlberg pro A large group with over 20 riders set off. In the main field Team Vorarlberg all from the front at the beginning with Jon Knolle, Lukas Meiler, Pirmin Benz and Lukas Rüegg. In the second half of the race then the long climbs. Moran Vermeulen then with the next act of violence and the important pace control.  The field around Stüssi becomes smaller, Cabedo takes over from Vermeulen and assists his captain.

In the backcountry then dangerous descents and again and again crashes. Now everyone takes full risk. Thousands of spectators send the protagonists into the last decisive climb.

 

Stüssi unleashes – with seventh place lead extended!

What follows is an incredible elimination race on this hammer stage for the overall classification. Cabedo still with Stüssi. He is attacked at the six kilometer mark. He counters and then attacks himself in the yellow leader’s jersey. Increases the pace and subsequently distances the closest chasers for the overall victory. Riding completely at the limit, Stüssi finishes seventh and extends his lead in the overall standings. Stage winner is one of the escapees James Wheelan (AUS/Team Glassdrive).

Colin Stüssi now has a lead of 45 seconds over the Portuguese Henrique Casimiro (Team Efapel) before the last stage. Artem Nych (RUS/Team Glassdrive) follows one minute behind. Oscar Cabedo is also still in the top 15.

Congratulations for this sensational performance to Colin Stüssi, all riders and staff!

 

Show Down for the overall victory – the time trial is waiting!

After the exertions of the last ten days due to the heat and the difficult stages over 40 hours, one longs for tomorrow’s last stage. The topography of the time trial in Viano do Castelo over 18 kilometers rises again in the finale. Colin: Everyone wants you to win – go for it!

 

Result: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-a-portugal/2023/stage-9

Overall standings https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-a-portugal/2023/stage-9-gc

 

Stage overview

09.08. Prologue Viseu – Viseu 3,6 Km

10.08. Stage 1 Anadia – Ourem 188.5 Km

11.08. Stage 2 Abrantes – Vila Franca de Xira 177.3 Km

12.08. Stage 3 Sines – Loule 191.8 Km

13.08. Stage 4 Estremoz – Castelo Branco 184,5 km

14.08. Stage 5 Macao – Covilha 184,3 Km

15.08. Stage 6 Penamacor – Guarda 168,5 Km

16.08. Rest day

17.08. Stage 7 Torre de Moncorvo – Montalegre 162,6 Km

18.08. Stage 8 Boticas – Fafe 146,7 Km

19.08. Stage 9 Paredes – Mondim de Basto 174,5 Km

20.08. Stage 10 Viana do Castelo – Viano do Castelo 16,3 Km

 

Line-up Team Vorarlberg: Lukas Rüegg, Moran Vermeulen, Lukas Meiler, Jon Knolle, Pirmin Benz, Oscar Cabedo, Colin Stüssi;