Sepp Kuss gained the Vuelta on Sunday to grow to be the primary American to win a grand tour since Chris Horner earned the Vuelta victory in 2013.
Kuss had successfully secured the victory forward of Sunday’s largely ceremonial stage, when rivals within the Spanish capital revered his lead and didn’t launch any assaults as per biking custom.
“It’s incredible. I think today was the stage that I suffered the most of the whole race, now I’m just glad it’s over,” Kuss mentioned. “It’s life-changing for sure. I think I’ll look back on this experience with a lot of fun memories. It’s still sinking in, I think it’s gonna take quite some time. Now, a big celebration. Family, friends are here, and that’s gonna be really special.”
It was a shocking victory for Kuss, who entered the race in a supporting position to his Jumbo-Visma teammates Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic.
Vingegaard and Roglic completed second and third total, respectively, capping a dominant efficiency and a historic treble for Jumbo-Visma, which swept all three Grand Tour races this 12 months. Roglic gained the Giro d’Italia in May and Vingegaard repeated as Tour de France champion in July.
Kuss crossed the road alongside along with his teammates, who have been all carrying a particular jersey in honor of the staff’s treble.
Kaden Groves prevailed within the final dash to win the final stage.
Kuss took the lead within the eighth stage and by no means relinquished it regardless of being pushed laborious by his teammates a couple of instances. The American held his personal on tough climbs up the Col du Tourmalet and the Angliru, ending the three-week race with a 17-second benefit.
The final stage started at Madrid’s horse-racing observe and ended with riders taking laps round among the iconic monuments within the Spanish capital.
Kuss took it straightforward inside the peloton and was celebrated by his rivals and followers who lined Madrid’s streets.
Last 12 months’s champion, Remco Evenepoel, ended as King of the Mountains and have become the primary Belgian to win the Vuelta’s most combative award. Groves turned the primary Australian to win the factors standings, whereas Juan Ayuso was the most effective younger rider.
😱 Un final totalmente de LOCURA. ¡Emoción hasta el último metro de La Vuelta! 🔥Así ha sido el ÚLTIMO KM.
What a loopy finalé 😱 thrilling racing till the final meter of La Vuelta! Watch the LAST KM… 🔥#LaVuelta23 pic.twitter.com/IFK5EJK8Sp
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 17, 2023
