From cancer to concussion to red: Torstein Traeen's 'rollercoaster' ride at La Vuelta after prising red jersey from Jonas Vingegaard on Stage 6

Torstein Traeen’s “career-defining ride” on Stage 6 of La Vuelta saw him take the red jersey from Visma-Lease a Bike superstar Jonas Vingegaard, adding to what has been a “rollercoaster” journey for the 30-year-old. In May 2022, Traeen (Bahrain Victorious) was diagnosed with testicular cancer and later suffered concussion symptoms so severe that he described them as worse than his cancer battle.

As Torstein Traeen (Bahrain Victorious) put it himself, it has been a "rollercoaster" year for the Vuelta red jersey holder.

On Stage 6, Traeen surged clear of the peloton to finish second behind Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) at La Vuelta, a result that prised the jersey from Visma-Lease a Bike superstar Jonas Vingegaard. He becomes only the third Norwegian to lead the race.

Just five months earlier and Traeen was confined to his sofa, suffering through a five-week spell of concussion symptoms so severe that he admits it was tougher than his previous fight with cancer.

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Traeen had been diagnosed early with testicular cancer after an anti-doping test in May 2022 revealed the illness.

Just two months later he was declared cancer free after having a 15mm tumour in a testicle removed.

"It’s a bit special, especially this year, because I had five weeks of concussion in March," Traeen told TNT Sports.

‘This one will be extra special!’ - Vine claims Stage 6 victory on home roads of Andorra

Video credit: TNT Sports

"At this point, I was a bit unsure if I was ever going to be good again because I was on the couch looking at the ceiling for five weeks.

"To be honest that was harder than having cancer. I’ve been through quite a lot so it’s been like a small rollercoaster."

TNT Sports expert Adam Blythe described Traeen's story as "incredible" given he now holds a 31-second lead over France's Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) in the overall rankings.

Blythe said: "That man in 2022 had cancer and was unsure about his life and his career. If you look at where he is now, leading the Grand Tour in that red jersey…

"We talk about our dreams and what they’re made of, and this is ultimately it.

"This will mean a lot to him, it will mean a lot to anyone. But I think for him in this position, when he looks back on where he was in his life, this will be huge for him.

"He wouldn’t have been able to dream of it, think about if this was even a possibility for him, so I’m so happy to see him get a red jersey on his back. It’s just incredible."

Meanwhile, Matt Stephens hailed Traeen's triumph as a "career-defining moment".

He said: "I mean, of all the names to pick out of a hat today to actually take the jersey, we wouldn’t have thought it. But he fully deserved it.

"He rode one of the races of his life, and what a special day it’s going to be for him and his family. It was a brilliant, brilliant ride."

Highlights: Vine dominates Stage 6 in the mountains as Traeen takes red from Vingegaard

Video credit: TNT Sports

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