2023 Vuelta a Espana GC update following stage 18: Sepp Kuss looks set for first Grand Tour after surviving last mountainous challenge
Cycling
18 stages and almost all of the mountains down, Sepp Kuss leads the race by 17 seconds from his Jumbo-Visma teammate, Jonas Vingegaard. Surely now, the well-liked American will take a first career Grand Tour success.
After the heavy criticism of Jumbo-Visma's tactics over the past few days, both Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic were noticeably reigned in on stage 18, working in the service of Kuss. Late attacks from Juan Ayuso and Enric Mas were responded to well by Kuss who actually extended the gap to Vingegaard. Despite changes in the time gaps down the line, there was actually no changes in positions within the top 10.
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Vuelta a Espana General Classification following stage 18
1. Sepp Kuss
2. Jonas Vingegaard at 17".
3. Primoz Roglic at 1'08".
4. Juan Ayuso at 4'00".
5. Mikel Landa at 4'19".
6. Enric Mas at 4'30".
7. Cian Uijtdebroeks at 7'37".
8. Aleksandr Vlasov at 8'35".
9. Joao Almeida at 10'20".
10. Santiago Buitrago at 12'20".
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
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🚴♂️ Mas, Landa y Ayuso han probado a Jumbo Visma pero Sepp Kuss ❤️ mantiene el liderato. Disfruta del ÚLTIMO KM de la etapa. ⚡️ Mas, Landa and Ayuso test Jumbo Visma to their limit but Sepp Kuss ❤️ keeps the lead. Enjoy the LAST KM. #LaVuelta23 @CarrefourES #CarrefourConLaVuelta
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