Jumbo-Visma directeur sportif Merijn Zeeman lifted the lid on the tension within the team that occurred on the stage of the Alto de Langril in the Vuelta a Espana, where the team's 3 leaders were "together" in a brutal climb to avoid tension about the team's leadership and who should win the Vuelta. "We should have done it," he admitted.

The stage was Sepp Kus' 9th day in the Red Leaders Jersey, but he was left behind on the steep slope of the Asturias climb as Primos Logrys pulled Jonas Vingegaard forward.

At the time, after Vingegaard closed within eight seconds of the lead, all sides denied any tension or competition, saying the trio were free to race against each other.

However, Zeeman has now admitted that it was wrong to leave the winner of the final Vuelta behind in the finish at the X Summit.

"Everything went the way we wanted again. There were 3 of us left and that was actually the moment things didn't work out," Zeeman told the Met open vizier podcast, according to WielerFlits.

"Sepp could not keep up with Primosh and Jonas at some point. After that, there was no more teamwork.

"Everything that happened up to that point was teamwork, but at Angliru we should have been together. Attacking the way other riders have to do their job is different than when they start attacking each other.

"I need to add immediately that when you ride uphill with a slope of up to 20%, you race with a heart rate of 200, so you can't expect those guys to think clearly."

In the end, Kus survived in a red jersey and on the stage to La Cruz de Linares the next day, showing the front where 3 riders united in the face of widespread confusion and criticism, Roglić and Vingegaard omitted the previous "free for all" racing style, leading Kuss to the final climb.

Zeeman said that the team gathered in the evening after the Angliru stage and that the riders were free to give their opinion on what had happened. The agreement was to support Kuss, but it was not unanimous.

"The way we built the whole team is that you ask people from the bottom up – how do you see it?"Zeman explained.

"Give your opinion and talk to each other instead of about each other. We started this in 2016 or 2017, from which a strong foundation, a culture, unfolded. It's essentially what our team is built on.

"Cycling for us is a team sport, not an individual sport," he added. "That night I put all the men together around 1 table. I spoke with Jonas, Sepp and Primocci in advance and listened to their opinions.

"But then I got eight grown men together and said: "Guys, this is what happened today. I have my thoughts on this, but I think it's much more important for you to think about."

Zeman made it clear that the majority of the team (all riders except Rogic) agreed that Kus should be the only leader with the support of the team up to Madrid. But the Slovenian, who plans to ride Bora-Hansgrohe next year, accepted the decision and lagged behind Kuss.

"What do we stand for now?" "The seven riders agreed that [Kuss's victory] should be the final result," Zeeman said.

"Primoć had a more difficult time with this, but he agreed with it. It was also because his teammates showed it so forcefully. Finally he said, "Sepp must win, and you can count on me."'"