When Sepp Kuss (Advert’17) made his move and broke away from a group of fellow cyclists, gaining a significant lead on day six of the three-week-long Vuelta a España last September, his competitors weren’t concerned.
They should have been.
Kuss didn’t just win that day’s stage — he gave it his all to maintain his lead every day over the next two weeks — up and down steep mountain climbs, across long flat sprints and through all-out time trials.
When he crossed the finish line first in Madrid, Kuss not only won his first Grand Tour, he also made history three times over: as the first American cyclist in 10 years to win a Grand Tour; the second American to win the Vuelta a España; and the first cyclist in over 65 years to ride all three, three-week-long Grand Tours and win one in the same season. His team, Jumbo-Visma, swept the podium and became the first in history to win all three Grand Tours in a single season.
“I’m living the dream today,” Kuss said to Velo after the race. “Usually, I’m on the other side. I’m often on the winning teams, but to be the one wearing the jersey is just incredible.”
In multi-stage cycling races, the winning cyclist is the rider who achieves the fastest total time when each day’s times are added together. The strategy that drives cycling teams is that by working together instead of individually, a group of support riders can give one pre-chosen leader the best chance to make the best overall time, and to win the entire race.
Kuss has long been a dedicated support rider — and his team’s secret sauce for success. But this year, for the first time in his career, he will ride as the team lead in several one-week races, as a key team player alongside recent two-time champion and teammate Jonas Vingegaard in the Tour de France, and to defend his title in Spain.
Originally from Durango, Colorado, Kuss began mountain biking in 6th grade. Kuss’ childhood trainer Chad Cheeney has described him as a “natural explorer” who also tried skiing, running, ice hockey and kayaking. Compared to his peers, he wasn’t a stand-out on two wheels, but things started to change after he joined the CU Boulder cycling community.
During his time as a Buff, he won several Collegiate National Championships in mountain biking and road racing — and finally committed to professional road cycling before graduation, signing his first WorldTour contract.
Since joining his current international team in 2018, he has become one of the most beloved cyclists in the sport; his persistent, hard-working, humble nature is the common denominator in his team’s seven victorious Grand Tours.
Kuss will compete in the Tour de France for the fifth time this summer on (now-titled) “Team Visma Lease a Bike.” He’ll be a contender, especially after finishing in 12th place in 2023, but whether or not he gets a shot at the podium won’t be up to him. It will be a matter of team strategy.
“I’ve realized that I am capable of leading a Grand Tour and being very consistent on almost every stage, but now I know more than ever how hard it is to be a team leader,” Kuss said in a post-Vuelta a España interview.
Leading a cycling team is about commitment, consistency and the ability to perform under continual pressure. Last fall, Kuss proved his ability — leveraging the element of surprise. This year, his competitors won’t be so keen to let him break away.
But Kuss still has something up his sleeve that no one else can beat: the many years he has dedicated to supporting his teammates. When he is asked to lead, not only will he be ready, they'll be ready to ride for him.
*Editor’s note: Sepp Kuss announced he would not be competing in the 2024 Tour de France due to COVID-19. According to Sepp’s social media, he plans to support from home and “refocus on the next part of the season.”
Photo courtesy Team Visma Lease a Bike
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