Sepp Kuss was part of the Jumbo-Visma’s plan for today. The Dutch team had four riders at the top of the mountain but couldn’t gain any advantage over Remco Evenepoel, who claimed the stage victory and the maximum bonus points.
On the final climb, the team followed UAE Team Emirates, which increased the pace on the final ascent to Arinsal. Kuss was the first to attack and create a gap. “My attack was more to test the other guys. It was still a pretty big group, and that’s how the competitors had to react. I felt good enough to try something, so why not? It’s never wrong to do something.”
During the final ascent, the Jumbo-Visma team never attempted to accelerate. Kuss attacked, but Marc Soler also did, as UAE Team Emirates wanted to show equal collective strength.
When the attackers were caught, Sepp Kuss led the group, but it was Evenepoel who attacked and raced to victory, as Primoz Roglic didn’t have the legs and Jonas Vingegaard only managed to secure second place.
Sepp Kuss resides in Andorra
“It’s a place where I train a lot,” added Kuss, who lives in Andorra. “The people on the roadside are really fantastic. I often heard my name. That always gives you some extra energy. We knew Remco would be strong after the World Championship title. However, Jonas and Primoz were also there and that’s good.”