2023-09-17 19:52:02
MADRID (AP) — A decade later, the United States once once more has a Grand Tour champion.
Sepp Kuss conquered the Vuelta a España on Sunday to become the first American to win one of the three major rounds of world cycling since Chris Horner won the Vuelta in 2013. The other two jewels are the Giro d’Italia and the Tour from France.
Kuss secured his victory prior to a final ceremonial stage. Upon arriving in the Spanish capital, his rivals respected his leadership without launching attacks as is traditional in cycling.
It was a surprise victory for Kuss, who appeared at the race as a companion to the two leading figures of the Jumbo-Visma team: Jonas Vingegaard – two-time Tour de France champion – and Primoz Roglic – three-time winner of the Vuelta.
Vingegaard and Roglic finished second and third overall, respectively, capping a dominant performance and a historic clover for Jumbo-Visma, which captured all three Grand Tour events this year. Roglic won the Giro in May, and Vingegaard defended his Tour title in July.
“Being here with the winner of the Giro, Primoz, and the winner of the Tour, Jonas, is an honor. It’s been a crazy three weeks. Thank you for your support to Primoz, Jonas and all the team members. They are very strong,” said Kuss in his speech following the final tour through the streets of Madrid.
Kuss took the lead in the eighth stage and did not relinquish it despite being chased rigorously by his teammates on several occasions. The American continued strong on the difficult climbs of the Col du Tourmalet in France, and the Alto de l’Angliru in northern Spain, finishing the three-week race 17 seconds clear.
The 29-year-old cyclist from Durango, Colorado, got into cycling as a way to train year-round for his passion, which is cross-country skiing. But, he eventually changed skis for wheels, and for several seasons now he has been listed as one of Jumbo-Visma’s main squires.
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