Sepp Kuss

Sepp Kuss was born on September 13, 1994 in Durango, Colorado to parents Adolph and Sabina Kuss.{{cite web |last1=Lindsey |first1=Joe |title=How High Will Sepp Kuss Climb? |url=https://www.bicycling.com/racing/a36997588/sepp-kuss-grand-tour/ |website=bicycling.com |publisher=Bicyling Magazine |access-date=27 March 2025 |date=12 June 2021}} Adolph was the coach of the United States Ski Team from 1963 to 1972, and a professor of exercise science at Fort Lewis College. A significant figure in developing the outdoor sports reputation of Durango, he was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame in 1990.{{cite web |title=Adolph Kuss - Colorado Snowsports Museum |url=https://www.snowsportsmuseum.org/hall-of-fame-all/2018/1/3/adolph-kuss?rq=kuss |publisher=Colorado Snowsports Museum |access-date=27 March 2025}} His mother Sabina also taught Nordic skiing.

Kuss excelled in many outdoor sports as a child, including trail running, skiing, and whitewater kayaking. His favorite sport as a child was ice hockey. In fourth grade, his parents enrolled him in Durango Devo, a youth mountain bike program that has produced other significant cyclists like Olympian Howard Grotts and XC short-track world champion Christopher Blevins.{{cite web |last1=Lord |first1=Henry |title=Where it all started — Sepp Kuss’ Vuelta win means everything to his hometown of Durango, Colorado |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/where-it-all-started-sepp-kuss-vuelta-win-means-everything-to-his-hometown-of-durango-colorado |publisher=Cycling Weekly |access-date=27 March 2025}} Kuss committed to cycling as his primary sport during his senior year of high school.{{cite web |title=Sepp Kuss – Riders |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/sepp-kuss/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=28 March 2025}}

In 2013, Kuss enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he continued mountain biking. Kuss won three national titles at the cycling collegiate championships in XC (2014 and 2015) and Short Track (2014).{{cite web |last1=Dobbins |first1=Ryan |title=Results: 2015 XC Collegiate National Championships |url=https://www.pinkbike.com/news/xc-collegiate-national-championships-results-2015.html |website=pinkbike.com |date=October 26, 2015 |publisher=Outside |access-date=26 October 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Schultz |first1=Jay |title=Photo Epic: U.S. Collegiate Nationals |url=https://www.pinkbike.com/news/us-collegiate-nationals-photo-epic-2014.html |website=pinkbike.com |date=October 28, 2014 |publisher=Outside |access-date=26 October 2023}} Kuss also competed internationally, racing at the 2014 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Lillehammer, where he finished 36th in the under 23 cross country race. The next year, at the 2015 championships in Andorra, Kuss finished 48th in the same event.{{cite web |last1=ZK |first1=Goh |title=Sepp Kuss: The climbing phenom who's American cycling's newest star |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/sepp-kuss-climbing-phenom-jumbo-visma-usa-cycling |access-date=28 March 2025 |date=16 September 2020}}

During a university cycling team interview, when asked about his favorite type of racing, Kuss said "XC is my thing but I enjoy road races too," and stated that his cycling ambitions were only to "take cycling as far as I can once I finish my degree."{{cite web

|title=Sepp Kuss | Cycling Team | University of Colorado Boulder

|publisher=University of Colorado

|date=12 May 2016

|url=https://www.colorado.edu/sportsclub/cycling/2016/05/12/sepp-kuss

|url-status=live

|access-date=September 6, 2021

|archive-date=September 6, 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906151747/https://www.colorado.edu/sportsclub/cycling/2016/05/12/sepp-kuss

}}

In Kuss's own words, he "slowly gravitated to road racing" over the course of college.{{cite web |last1=Weislo |first1=Laura |title=Kuss confirms road racing promise at Tour of the Gila |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kuss-confirms-road-racing-promise-at-tour-of-the-gila/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=28 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509041836/https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kuss-confirms-road-racing-promise-at-tour-of-the-gila/ |archive-date=9 May 2016 |date=6 May 2016}} After being introduced to road cycling through a collegiate cycling club, Kuss decided in 2015 to split his effort between road and mountain biking.{{cite web |last1=Malach |first1=Pat |title=Kuss looking for European experience to help sharpen skills |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kuss-looking-for-european-experience-to-help-sharpen-skills/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=28 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630183455/https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kuss-looking-for-european-experience-to-help-sharpen-skills/ |archive-date=30 June 2016 |date=28 June 2016}} On the road, he raced with an amateur team sponsored by Intermountain LiveWell.{{cite web |title=Being Pro: Sepp Kuss |url=https://roadbikeaction.com/being-pro-sepp-kuss/ |publisher=Road Bike Action Magazine |access-date=28 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923123242/https://roadbikeaction.com/being-pro-sepp-kuss/ |archive-date=23 September 2020}} In an interview, Kuss stated he was drawn to road cycling because of "the longer, steeper climbs, those longer efforts," which he felt suited his skills better than mountain bike courses.

In 2016, Kuss joined the amateur Gateway Harley Davidson / Trek team, and decided to focus fully on road cycling. He increased his training volume and consistency, and worked to adjust to the style of modern road cycling, which he found more dynamic than the "time trial"-like efforts of mountain biking. His first win on the road came in the Redlands Bicycle Classic, where Kuss beat veteran UCI WorldTour riders Lachlan Morton and Janier Acevedo on the stage 2 summit finish to Oak Glen.{{cite web |title=Kuss takes surprise win at Oak Glen in Redlands Classic |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/redlands-bicycle-classic-2016-1/men-stage-2/results/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=28 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410033049/https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/redlands-bicycle-classic-2016-1/men-stage-2/results/ |archive-date=10 April 2016 |date=7 April 2016}}

Kuss's surprise win drew the attention of professional teams. In May, Kuss raced at the Tour of the Gila, where he again demonstrated his climbing potential with a fourth place finish on the opening stage climb to Mogollon. Following the race, where Kuss finished 14th overall, {{UCI team code|RLY|2017}} announced they were signing Kuss for the remainder of the 2016 season.{{cite web |title=Redlands stage winner Sepp Kuss joins Rally Cycling |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/redlands-stage-winner-sepp-kuss-joins-rally-cycling/ |publisher=CyclingNews |date=26 May 2016 |access-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629114804/https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/redlands-stage-winner-sepp-kuss-joins-rally-cycling/ |archive-date=29 June 2016}}

In Kuss's first stage race with Rally, the Tour de Beauce in Canada, he won a mountain stage and finished 6th overall. For the remainder of the 2016 season, Kuss travelled to Europe for his first block of international road racing, including riding the prestigious Tour de l'Avenir with the US national team. In a 2020 interview, Kuss recalled "being absolutely blown away, physically and mentally, by the toughness of European racing."

File:SeppKuss2017TOA.jpg.]]

At the 2017 Tour of California, Kuss finished 10th on the difficult stage 5 climb to Mount Baldy. This drew the attention of {{UCI team code|TLJ|2018}} director Merijn Zeeman, who reached out to Kuss for physiological testing. Kuss followed up with strong results for the rest of the 2017 season, including a second overall finish at the Tour of Alberta. Just days after his 23rd birthday, Kuss signed a two-year contract with LottoNL-Jumbo, to ride in the UCI WorldTour starting in 2018.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sepp-kuss-signs-with-lottonl-jumbo/|title=Sepp Kuss signs with LottoNL-Jumbo|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=September 20, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2018|archive-date=March 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324011811/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sepp-kuss-signs-with-lottonl-jumbo/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Livingston |first1=John |title=Durango cyclist Sepp Kuss signs with Team LottoNL-Jumbo for World Tour |url=https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/durango-cyclist-sepp-kuss-signs-with-team-lottonl-jumbo-for-world-tour/ |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=Durango Herald |date=20 September 2017}} In just two years, Kuss had transitioned from a collegiate mountain biker to the highest level of road cycling. He signed his first WorldTour contract while still a college student{{cite web |title=Sepp Kuss - Road Cyclist - USA Cycling |url=https://usacycling.org/athlete/sepp-kuss |publisher=USA Cycling |access-date=29 March 2025}}—he completed his degree in advertising at UC Boulder in late 2017.

File:Volta Limburg Classic 2018 - Sepp Kuss (cropped).jpg, his fifth race with {{UCI team code|TLJ|2018}}.]]

Kuss struggled to start his first season with the Dutch team, getting frequent DNFs as he adjusted to WorldTour racing. In August, Kuss returned to the US for the Tour of Utah. On stage 2, Kuss attacked with 45 km to the finish, catching the day's breakaway and riding solo to win the stage and go into the overall lead.{{cite web |title=Utah: Sepp Kuss attacks over Mount Nebo to take stage 2, race lead |url=https://velo.outsideonline.com/events/utah-sepp-kuss-attacks-over-mount-nebo-to-take-stage-2/ |publisher=VeloNews |access-date=29 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329202214/https://velo.outsideonline.com/events/utah-sepp-kuss-attacks-over-mount-nebo-to-take-stage-2/ |archive-date=29 March 2025}} Kuss attacked again on stage 5, a difficult queen stage ending at Snowbird, winning by over 30 seconds, before cementing his victory with another solo attack to win the final stage 6.{{cite web |last1=Malach |first1=Pat |title=Tour of Utah: Kuss solos to stage 5 victory atop Snowbird |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-utah-2018/stage-5/results/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=29 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917074521/https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-utah-2018/stage-5/results/ |archive-date=17 September 2024}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-utah-2018/stage-6/results/|title=Kuss wins 2018 Tour of Utah|work=Cycling News|first=Pat|last=Malach|date=12 August 2018|accessdate=4 March 2019|archive-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815073705/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-utah-2018/stage-6/results/|url-status=live}} Kuss finished with 3 stage wins, the mountains jersey, and the overall victory in what The Salt Lake Tribune called "the most dominant performance in the history of this event."{{cite news |last1=Kamrani |first1=Christopher |title=Sepp Kuss completes dominant performance with Tour of Utah victory |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2018/08/12/tour-utah/ |publisher=The Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=29 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813114723/https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2018/08/12/tour-utah/ |archive-date=13 August 2018 |date=12 August 2018}}

Following his performance in Utah, Kuss was selected to ride in the 2018 Vuelta a España, his first Grand Tour. {{UCI team code|TLJ|2018}} management did not typically select {{Tooltip|neo-pros|First year cycling professional}} to Grand Tour teams, they made an exception for Kuss.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Gregor |title=American neo-pro Sepp Kuss impressing in unexpected Grand Tour debut at Vuelta a España |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/american-neo-pro-sepp-kuss-impressing-unexpected-grand-tour-debut-vuelta-espana-393647 |publisher=Cycling Weekly |access-date=30 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029013626/https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/american-neo-pro-sepp-kuss-impressing-unexpected-grand-tour-debut-vuelta-espana-393647 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |date=9 September 2018}} Kuss rode as a domestique, leading the peloton in the mountains for team leader Steven Kruijswijk, who finished the race in fourth overall.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Gregor |title=Kuss carries grand tour experience into 2019 |url=https://velo.outsideonline.com/news/road/kuss-carries-grand-tour-experience-into-2019/ |publisher=VeloNews |access-date=30 March 2025 |date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250330033531/https://velo.outsideonline.com/news/road/kuss-carries-grand-tour-experience-into-2019/ |archive-date=30 March 2025}}

Kuss rode in the 2019 Giro d'Italia, supporting Primož Roglič who finished the race third overall.{{Cite web |url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/2019/startlist |title=2019: 102nd Giro d'Italia: Start List |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=ProCyclingStats |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323201331/https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/2019/startlist |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Giro d'Italia 2019: Results & News |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-d-italia-2019/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=30 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918115727/https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-d-italia-2019/ |archive-date=18 September 2020}} In August, Kuss returned to the Vuelta a España. On stage 15, Kuss attacked from the breakaway on the final climb to Puerto del Acebo, riding solo for the final 6 km to claim his first Grand Tour stage win.{{cite web|url=https://www.velonews.com/2019/09/vuelta-a-espana/vuelta-a-espana-stage-15-american-sepp-kuss-takes-stunning-solo-victory-primoz-roglic-retains-lead_500466|title=Vuelta a España stage 15: American Sepp Kuss takes stunning solo victory, Primoz Roglic retains lead|access-date=September 9, 2019|work=VeloNews|date=September 8, 2019|archive-date=September 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915162058/https://www.velonews.com/2019/09/vuelta-a-espana/vuelta-a-espana-stage-15-american-sepp-kuss-takes-stunning-solo-victory-primoz-roglic-retains-lead_500466|url-status=live}} Kuss also supported Roglič throughout the race, who would go on to win the general classification. This helped cement Kuss as one of Roglič's key mountain domestiques, a partnership that would be highly successful in future Grand Tours.{{cite web |title=Kuss to stay with Jumbo-Visma through 2024 |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kuss-to-stay-with-jumbo-visma-through-2024/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=30 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319175238/https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kuss-to-stay-with-jumbo-visma-through-2024/ |archive-date=19 March 2021}}

In 2020, Kuss won stage 5 of the Critérium du Dauphiné, riding away from a group of strong climbers on the final climb in Megève.{{cite web |last1=Cossins |first1=Peter |title=Daniel Martinez wins Critérium du Dauphiné |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/criterium-du-dauphine-2020/stage-5/results/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818010150/https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/criterium-du-dauphine-2020/stage-5/results/ |archive-date=18 August 2020 |date=16 August 2020}} Later that month, Kuss was officially selected for his first Tour de France, as part of a Jumbo-Visma squad that cycling media called a 'super-team' led by Roglič, Tom Dumoulin, and Steven Kruijswijk.{{cite web |title=Primoz Roglic: Nairo Quintana will be difficult to stop at the Tour de France |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/primoz-roglic-nairo-quintana-will-be-difficult-to-stop-at-the-tour-de-france/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806145042/https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/primoz-roglic-nairo-quintana-will-be-difficult-to-stop-at-the-tour-de-france/ |archive-date=6 August 2020 |date=14 July 2020}}

During the Tour, Kuss established himself as a 'super-domestique',{{cite web |title=Sepp Kuss - Riders |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/sepp-kuss/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=15 April 2025}} and was widely noted for his ability to assist team leader Roglič in the mountains and stay with the race leaders deep into climbs.{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=Patrick |title=Tour de France: Pogacar wins stage 15 atop Grand Colombier |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2020/stage-15/results/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916044437/https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2020/stage-15/results/ |archive-date=16 September 2020 |date=13 September 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Pickering |first1=Edward |title=Tour de France stage 17 analysis: Winners and losers on the Loze |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-de-france-stage-17-analysis-winners-and-losers-on-the-loze/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921101128/https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-de-france-stage-17-analysis-winners-and-losers-on-the-loze/ |archive-date=21 September 2020 |date=16 September 2020}} Kuss finished the race in 15th overall, the highest placing for an American since Andrew Talansky in 2015.{{cite web |last1=Hood |first1=Andrew |title=Sepp Kuss unleashed in the mountains: ‘We have to shift the focus’ |url=https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/sepp-kuss-unleashed-in-the-mountains-we-have-to-shift-the-focus/ |publisher=VeloNews |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415154745/https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/sepp-kuss-unleashed-in-the-mountains-we-have-to-shift-the-focus/ |archive-date=15 April 2025 |date=3 July 2021}} Kuss continued to support Roglič in the 2020 Vuelta a España, who won the race for the second consecutive year.{{Cite web|date=November 1, 2020|title=Sepp Kuss stays loyal at Vuelta a España to help Primož Roglič limit losses on the Angliru|url=https://www.velonews.com/events/vuelta-a-espana/sepp-kuss-stays-loyal-to-team-to-help-primoz-roglic-limit-losses-on-angliru/|access-date=November 1, 2020|website=VeloNews.com|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101185745/https://www.velonews.com/events/vuelta-a-espana/sepp-kuss-stays-loyal-to-team-to-help-primoz-roglic-limit-losses-on-angliru/|url-status=live}}

In 2021, Kuss again rode the Tour de France. On stage 15, Kuss broke away from a group of 20 riders with 5 km to go on the Col de Beixalis, the stage's final climb. Kuss maintained his lead for the 15 km that followed the summit, winning the stage 23 seconds ahead of Alejandro Valverde. It was the first Tour de France stage win by an American since Tyler Farrar won stage 3 in 2011.{{cite web |last1=Pretot |first1=Julien |title=Kuss wins Tour de France stage 15 as Pogacar holds lead |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/kuss-wins-tour-de-france-stage-15-2021-07-11/ |publisher=Reuters |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=11 July 2021}} Kuss, who lives in Andorra, said after the stage that he knew the climb well from training, and had been particularly motivated to win so close to home.{{cite web |last1=Farrand |first1=Stephen |title=Tour de France: Kuss wins stage 15 in Andorra |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2021/stage-15/results/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711210456/https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2021/stage-15/results/ |archive-date=11 July 2021 |date=11 July 2021}}

File:TDF30348 kuss (52243724704).jpg]]

During the 2021 Vuelta a España Kuss and his teammates rode in support of Roglič, who was aiming to win his third consecutive Vuelta title. Kuss started the race well, holding the King of the Mountains jersey for the first two stages. On the decisive stage 17 to Lagos de Covadonga, where Roglič won the stage and took the overall lead, Kuss showed his own climbing strength by winning the sprint for second place and denying bonus seconds to Roglič's rivals.{{cite web |last1=Fotheringham |first1=Alasdair |title=Roglic roars back into red with stunning Vuelta a España stage 17 victory |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/roglic-roars-back-into-red-with-stunning-vuelta-a-espana-stage-17-victory/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902061547/https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/roglic-roars-back-into-red-with-stunning-vuelta-a-espana-stage-17-victory/ |archive-date=2 September 2021 |date=1 September 2021}} Roglič went on to win the race, while Kuss finished eighth overall, his first top 10 in a Grand Tour.{{cite web

|title=Sepp Kuss Climbs Into First Career Grand Tour Top 10...

|publisher=Outside Magazine by Andrew Hood

|date=6 September 2021

|url=https://www.velonews.com/news/road/sepp-kuss-climbs-into-career-first-grand-tour-top-10-at-vuelta-a-espana/

|url-status=live

|access-date=September 6, 2021

|archive-date=September 6, 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906151739/https://www.velonews.com/news/road/sepp-kuss-climbs-into-career-first-grand-tour-top-10-at-vuelta-a-espana/

}}

File:Giro 2023 GIR20020 kuss roglic (52941536830).jpg at the 2023 Giro d'Italia]]

As a warmup for the 2022 Tour de France, Jumbo-Visma sent their primary favorites Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard to the Critérium du Dauphiné, while Kuss was given team leadership and the opportunity to target the overall win at the Tour de Suisse.{{cite web |last1=Fotheringham |first1=Alasdair |title=9 riders to watch at the 2022 Tour de Suisse |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/9-riders-to-watch-at-the-2022-tour-de-suisse/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=16 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612112103/https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/9-riders-to-watch-at-the-2022-tour-de-suisse/ |archive-date=12 June 2022 |date=10 June 2022}} Kuss was in contention, sitting 10 seconds back from the lead after stage 4, but prior to stage 5 the entire team withdrew from the race due to a COVID-19 infection.{{cite web

|url=https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/covid-forces-jumbo-visma-to-abandon-tour-de-suisse/

|title=COVID forces Jumbo Visma to abandon Tour de Suisse

|first=Cody

|last=Olivas

|publisher=The Durango Herald

|date=16 June 2022

|access-date=18 July 2022

|archive-date=July 15, 2022

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715210338/https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/covid-forces-jumbo-visma-to-abandon-tour-de-suisse/

|url-status=live

}}

File:Tadej Pogacar Jonas Vingegaard Sepp Kuss.jpg at the 2023 Tour de France]]

During the Tour, Kuss rode in support of Roglič and Vingegaard as the team sought to challenge two-time defending champion Tadej Pogačar. After Roglič and key mountain domestique Steven Kruijswijk both crashed out of the race, the burden of defending Vingegaard in the high mountains fell primarily on Kuss.{{cite web

|url=https://www.velonews.com/events/tour-de-france/sepp-kuss-weathers-pyrenean-storm-at-tour-de-france-as-pressure-mounts-on-jumbo-visma/

|title=Sepp Kuss weathers Pyrénéan storm at Tour de France as pressure mounts on Jumbo-Visma: Kuss delivers crushing ride on road to Foix as he carries burden of shepherding Vingegard through two mountaintops to come.

|first=Jim

|last=Cotton

|publisher=Velo News by Outside Magazine

|date=19 July 2022

|access-date=26 July 2022

|archive-date=July 23, 2022

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723091954/https://www.velonews.com/events/tour-de-france/sepp-kuss-weathers-pyrenean-storm-at-tour-de-france-as-pressure-mounts-on-jumbo-visma/

|url-status=live

}} On stage 17, Kuss led Vingegaard up the final climb to Hautacam, passing Vingegaard off to teammate Wout van Aert before Vingegaard attacked to win the stage and secure his overall lead.{{cite web |last1=Weislo |first1=Laura |title=Vingegaard soars to Hautacam win on Tour de France stage 18 |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2022/stage-18/results/ |publisher=CyclingNews |access-date=16 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721165035/https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2022/stage-18/results/ |archive-date=21 July 2022 |date=21 July 2022}} Vingegaard held both the yellow and polka dot jerseys to the end of the race, with Jumbo-Visma also winning the points classification with Van Aert.{{Cite web |title=Official classifications of Tour de France 2022 - Stage 21 |url=https://www.letour.fr/en/rankings |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=www.letour.fr |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814111819/https://www.letour.fr/en/rankings |url-status=live }}

Kuss rode in support of Roglič's victory in the 2023 Giro d'Italia and Vingegaard's win in the 2023 Tour de France. He rode his third Grand Tour of the year in the 2023 Vuelta a España as Jumbo-Visma attempted to become the first cycling team in history to sweep all three Grand Tours in a single season. On Stage 6, he won after attacking from a breakaway group of 40 riders, moving him into second place in the General Classification, eight seconds behind Lenny Martinez who was also in the day's breakaway.{{cite web |title=Vuelta a Espana: Sepp Kuss wins stage six, Lenny Martinez takes lead & Jumbo-Visma make move |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/66675713 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=7 September 2023 |date=31 August 2023 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907191853/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/66675713 |url-status=live }} Two days later, Kuss moved into the overall lead of the race after finishing a minute ahead of Martinez.{{cite news |title=Vuelta a España: Roglic wins stage eight and Kuss claims red jersey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/sep/02/vuelta-a-espana-roglic-wins-stage-eight-and-kuss-claims-red-jersey |work=The Guardian |date=2 September 2023 |access-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907191853/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/sep/02/vuelta-a-espana-roglic-wins-stage-eight-and-kuss-claims-red-jersey |url-status=live }} He successfully defended his lead for the remainder of the race, despite losing some time to Vingegaard. He became the first cyclist to both ride all three Grand Tours and win one in the same season since Gastone Nencini in 1957. Also for the first time in history, the same team has won all three grand tours in the same season.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230917-kuss-crowned-vuelta-champion-as-jumbo-visma-make-history |title=Kuss crowned Vuelta champion as Jumbo-Visma make history |author= |date=17 September 2023 |website=france24.com |access-date=17 September 2023 |archive-date=September 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918032421/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230917-kuss-crowned-vuelta-champion-as-jumbo-visma-make-history |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/sep/17/sepp-kuss-vuelta-a-espana-kaden-groves-cycling|title=Sepp Kuss wins Vuelta a España with Kaden Groves taking sprint finish|date=17 September 2023|work=Guardian|accessdate=18 September 2023}}

In 2024, Kuss was originally named in the team list for the 2024 Tour de France, but was scratched before the race began due to a Covid infection.{{cite web | url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sepp-kuss-ruled-out-of-tour-de-france-after-covid-19-infection-at-dauphine/ | title=Sepp Kuss ruled out of Tour de France after COVID-19 infection at Dauphiné | date=June 25, 2024 }}

Despite this interruption to his preparation, Kuss rode well in his next race, the 2024 Vuelta a Burgos, winning on a mountain-top finish on stage 3 and then defending to take the overall win by 5 seconds.{{cite web|url=https://www.teamvismaleaseabike.com/race-report/winningtogether/kuss-takes-home-overall-win-at-vuelta-a-burgos/|title=Kuss takes home overall win at Vuelta a Burgos|website=Team Visma Lease-a-bike|date=9 August 2024|access-date=29 September 2024}} Kuss started the 2024 Vuelta a España, but was unable to defend his title and finished the race in 14th place.{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/theres-no-excuses-sepp-kuss-unsparing-in-assessment-of-vuelta-a-espana-defence/|title='There’s no excuses' – Sepp Kuss unsparing in assessment of Vuelta a España defence|website=CyclingNews|date=9 September 2024|access-date=29 September 2024}}

Kuss is of Slovenian and Italian descent, with his great-grandparents immigrating from Europe to Colorado in the 1800s.{{cite web |last1=Shinn |first1=Peggy |title=Meet Sepp Kuss, The American Cyclist Helping This Year's Tour de France Leader |url=https://www.teamusa.org/News/2020/September/16/Meet-Sepp-Kuss-The-American-Cyclist-Helping-This-Years-Tour-de-France-Leader |website=teamusa.org |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008082631/https://www.teamusa.org/News/2020/September/16/Meet-Sepp-Kuss-The-American-Cyclist-Helping-This-Years-Tour-de-France-Leader |archive-date=8 October 2020 |date=16 September 2020}}

In 2022, Kuss married Noemí Ferré Fernández, a Spanish former professional cyclist. They live in Andorra, a popular location for cyclists due to its famous climbs.{{cite web |last1=Rook |first1=Anne-Marije |title=Sepp Kuss: 'I can fight for the Grand Tours. I can be with the best guys' |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/home-hopes-and-high-mountains-go-inside-sepp-kusss-world-as-the-vuelta-champion-gives-an-all-access-interview |publisher=Cycling Weekly |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=8 February 2024}} In 2024, Kuss and Fernández had their first child, a daughter named Martina.{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Kieran |title=Autumn joy for Sepp Kuss as American ace welcomes baby daughter Martina |url=https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/autumn-joy-for-sepp-kuss-as-american-ace-welcomes-baby-daughter-martina |website=cyclinguptodate.com |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=15 October 2024}}

Kuss speaks German in addition to English.

{{div col|colwidth=50em}}

;2014

: National Collegiate Championships

::1st 20px Cross-country

::1st 20px Short track

;2015

: 1st 20px Cross-country, National Collegiate Championships

{{div col end}}

Sources:{{cite web |title=Sepp Kuss |url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/sepp-kuss |website=procyclingstats.com |access-date=15 April 2025}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

;2016

: 1st Stage 2 Redlands Bicycle Classic

: 6th Overall Tour de Beauce

::1st Stage 2

;2017

: 2nd Overall Tour of Alberta

: 6th Overall Colorado Classic

: 8th Overall Tour of the Gila

: 9th Overall Tour of Utah

;2018 (4 pro wins)

: 1st 20px Overall Tour of Utah

::1st 20px Mountains classification

::1st Stages 2, 5 & 6

;2019 (1)

: 1st Stage 15 Vuelta a España

: 5th Japan Cup

;2020 (1)

: 8th Overall Tour de la Provence

: 10th Overall Critérium du Dauphiné

::1st Stage 5

: Vuelta a España

::Held File:Jersey blue polkadot.svg after Stage 1

;2021 (1)

: 1st Stage 15 Tour de France

: 8th Overall Vuelta a España

::Held File:Jersey blue polkadot.svg after Stages 1 & 2

;2022

: 1st Stage 1 (TTT) Vuelta a España

: 3rd Faun-Ardèche Classic

;2023 (2)

: 1st {{cjersey|red}} Overall Vuelta a España

::1st Stage 6

: 5th Overall UAE Tour

;2024 (2)

: 1st {{cjersey|purple}} Overall Vuelta a Burgos

::1st Stage 3

: 1st 20px Mountains classification, Tour of the Basque Country

: 6th Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior

: 8th Overall Volta ao Algarve

{{divcolend}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website|https://seppkuss.cc/}}
• {{Sports links}}

{{Team Jumbo–Visma (men's team) riders}}

{{Vuelta a España general classification winners}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kuss, Sepp}}

Category:1994 births

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:American Tour de France stage winners

Category:American Vuelta a España stage winners

Category:American male cyclists

Category:American people of Slovenian descent

Category:Colorado Buffaloes athletes

Category:Cyclists from Colorado

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Durango, Colorado

Category:University of Colorado Boulder alumni

Category:Vuelta a España winners