Sepp Kuss will start the Spanish Vuelta with the spotlight firmly on him as he attempts to retain his title. Kuss, who won last year’s race over Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard, is now in a leading role for Team Visma-Lease a Bike. Roglic has moved to Team Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe, and Vingegaard, preparing for the birth of his child, will sit out the Vuelta.
“I want to honour the race being with the No. 1,” Kuss said on Thursday. “Last year there were quite unique circumstances. This year, without two main riders like Jonas and Primoz, I wouldn’t say there’s more pressure, but you feel there is no backup and you have to be more focused during the whole race.”
Kuss arrives in good form after winning the Burgos Vuelta last week. The American did not participate in the Tour de France due to COVID-19.
Big-name absences
This year’s Vuelta will see notable absences. Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar, who also claimed victory in the Giro d’Italia this year, will not be racing. Remco Evenepoel, the third-place finisher at the Tour de France, is also missing from the lineup. He has prioritised the Paris Olympics, where he secured two gold medals for Belgium in the individual time trial and the road race.
Lisbon start
The Vuelta will commence in Lisbon, with the first three stages taking place in Portugal. The race will span three weeks and feature eight mountain stages and two individual time-trial stages. Only one stage will be flat.
“La Vuelta 24 will be full of spectacular views, and we wanted to make the most of a monumental city like Lisbon,” race director Javier Guillén said.
The 2024 edition introduces several new safety measures, including a yellow card system to address poor behaviour from riders, motorbikes, and sports directors, according to the organisers.
