The magic Durango’s Sepp Kuss had in 2023 hasn’t transferred over to 2024. After winning the Vuelta a España last year, there were high expectations for Kuss this year in general and especially at the Vuelta.
Unfortunately, Kuss never looked like he could challenge at the front at this year’s Vuelta. He finished 14th overall on Sunday in Madrid after 21 stages and 3,265 kilometers, 20 minutes and 25 seconds behind winner Primož Roglič.
There was some optimism for Kuss’ title defense after he won the Vuelta a Burgos before the Vuelta a España. However, Kuss finished the first stage 62nd and was only up to 13th by the fourth stage. Last year, Kuss took the win in the sixth stage whereas this year Kuss finished 14th in the sixth stage and was 15th in the general classification.
Last year, Kuss led the GC from the eighth stage onward. This year, he was in the teens in the GC from the fourth stage until the end. Kuss’ highlights this year were his eighth-place finishes in Stage 15 on Sept. 1 and Stage 19 on Sept. 6.
Kuss was the top finisher for his Tam Visma-Lease a Bike squad. His teammate Steven Kruijswijk finished 19th and Attila Valter finished 25th.
Another difference between last year and this year was Kuss’ involvement in Grand Tours. He supported his then-teammate Roglič at the Giro d’Italia and his teammate Jonas Vingegaard at the Tour de France last year.
This year, Kuss didn’t race in the Giro d’Italia and missed the Tour de France because he was recovering from COVID-19. It’s the first time he’s only raced in one Grand Tour since 2018.
“Now I’m glad it’s over,” Kuss told reporters after he finished in Madrid. “The last two days I really suffered a lot and they went by slowly. But I’m happy it’s over and I learned a lot in this race like I do in any Grand Tour. It’s been a very hard one.”
Kuss admitted he didn’t have his best form but said on a lot of stages he felt good. Kuss said there are no excuses and he has to be better next time.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
