If the sight of Jay Vine playing a key role for UAE Team Emirates XRG teammate Tadej Pogačar on the mountains of Andorra and Valencia in the Vuelta a España felt a shade unusual to viewers, that has an explanation.
Although the 31-year-old Australian has had that star climbing support role for Pogačar on various occasions in the Classics, including Il Lombardia, this year's Vuelta is the first time Vine has supported Pogačar in any kind of stage race, let alone a Grand Tour.
