U.S.A. Cyclist Conquers a Challenging 3-Week Odyssey, Shattering Country’s Decade-Long Grand Prix Dry Spell

The Spanish Vuelta championship has asserted every element of thrill among its spectators, as the US cyclist lifts the coveted title and takes home the glory. The Spanish Vuelta trophy has eluded the country for a decade, but finally, one U.S. cycling pro earned a sweeping victory. Last time, Chris Horner returned home after triumphing in the Grand Prix in 2013. Who knew the country would have to wait another 10 years for another American cyclist to claim the title?

Sepp Kuss trounced his rivals at the global cycling championships on September 17, 2023. The 29-year-old’s crowning moment came after a three-week-long duel in Spain. Kuss was meant to play a supporting role for fellow Jumbo-Visma teammates Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic. But he denounced his assigned role and decided to take matters into his own hands.

Sepp Kuss forges his own destiny at the Grand Prix

Sepp Kuss helped the Jumbo-Visma Squad occupy all three places on the G.C. podium. His victory tasted even sweeter, considering now the squad has won all three Grand Tours in the 2023 season.

His teammates celebrated the American legend’s win with joyous cheers and congratulatory embraces. The U.S.A. Cycling Federation was not far behind as soon after they wrote on Twitter, “Sepp Kuss made history by becoming the first American in a decade to win a Grand Tour, securing victory at the Vuelta a España after a fierce three-week battle”. 

Sepp Kuss sealed his victory in a hard-fought battle at the 101.5km stage. As he turned towards Madrid from the Hipódromo de la Zarzuel, Kuss started advancing towards the wire at an explosive speed. However, he was not alone, as five other breakout stars were on his tail.

The peloton chased Sepp Kuss’ dust as he made a career-defining surge and clinched the red leader’s jersey. When the race ended, Kuss led 17 seconds over Vingegaard and 1:08 on Roglič.

He was ecstatic with his victory and said, “I had a feeling it would be a fast stage when I saw all those guys getting ready to attack at the beginning. Like I said, I suffered more today than I did on the L’Angliru. It was a nice way to finish off”. Although Kuss was the undisputed champion of the Grand Prix in Spain, the best performance came from a Belgian cycling legend.

Remco Evenepoel becomes the tour’s most aggressive rider

Remco Evenepoel of the Soudal-QuickStep team showed incredible determination and aggression throughout the race. Kaden Groves from the opposing Alpecin-Deceuninck squad met Evenepoel’s aggression head-on and left him to chase his wheels.

However, the Australian could not help but admire Evenepoel’s relentless pursuit of victory. Groves said, “I didn’t imagine I would win this way…I knew I had to follow him [Evenepoel] so when he went, thankfully Edward [Plankaert] did a great job to pull me across the gap”.

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Evenepoel received the most aggressive rider title for his stellar performance during the three-week-long tour. There are talks of a merger between Soudal-QuickStep and Kuss’s Jumbo-Visma. This is exciting news as for the Portugal 2024 Vuelta, Sepp Kuss and Remco Evenepoel could very likely ride for the same team.

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