ANALYSIS: What Went Wrong for Sepp Kuss in La Vuelta 2024?

This time last year, Sepp Kuss was on top of the world. The American rider had just achieved the pinnacle of his cycling career by winning the 2023 Vuelta a Espana. It was a historic moment, not only for Kuss but also for his team, Jumbo-Visma. With Kuss's victory, the Dutch squad completed a clean sweep of the Grand Tours in 2023.

Kuss played a pivotal role throughout the season, first by helping Primoz Roglic secure victory at the Giro d’Italia, then by aiding Jonas Vingegaard in his successful defence of the Tour de France title, before finally getting his chance as a GC (General Classification) leader and triumphing in Spain. It was a dream season for both Kuss and Jumbo-Visma, marking the American as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

However, the 2024 season has been a different story altogether for both Kuss and his team. As the defending champion of La Vuelta, expectations were high for Kuss, but what unfolded over the three weeks in Spain was a far cry from the success he enjoyed the previous year. Kuss's struggles in this year's Vuelta mirrored Jumbo-Visma’s disappointing season, as both the rider and the team failed to live up to the lofty standards they had set in 2023.

A Season of Setbacks

Kuss’s season began with optimism, but it quickly became clear it would not go as smoothly as in 2023. Kuss was once again expected to play a key support role for Vingegaard at the Tour de France, but the American’s plans were derailed when he tested positive for COVID-19 after the Criterium du Dauphine in June. This untimely diagnosis ruled him out of the Tour de France, a significant blow to both Kuss and Visma. Without Kuss, Vingegaard faced the daunting challenge of battling Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates in the high mountains without his trusted lieutenant. The absence of Kuss was felt acutely during the Tour's most demanding stages, where Vingegaard often found himself isolated, struggling to match the relentless pace set by Pogacar and his team.

The loss of Kuss at the Tour was a double-edged sword. Not only did it weaken Visma’s chances in France, but it also cast doubt over Kuss’s form heading into La Vuelta. After recovering from COVID-19, Kuss returned to racing at the Volta a Burgos, the traditional warm-up race for the Vuelta. His victory there offered some hope that he might recapture the magic of 2023. However, as the Vuelta progressed, it became clear that Kuss was not at his best.

A Vuelta to Forget

From the outset of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, Kuss struggled to find his rhythm. Unlike the previous year, where he had been a consistent force in the mountains, Kuss was dropped on most of the major climbs during the first two weeks of the race. His performances were uncharacteristically lacklustre, and he found himself slipping further and further down the GC standings. By the time the race reached its final week, Kuss was already well out of contention, sitting more than 20 minutes behind the race leader, Primoz Roglic of Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe, who would go on to win his fourth Vuelta title.

Kuss’s eventual 14th-place finish was a stark contrast to his dominant display in 2023. While he showed glimpses of his old self—most notably with an impressive pull on the flat to set up Wout van Aert’s victory on stage 7—it was clear that Kuss was not in the same form as he had been the previous year. The American climber, known for his ability to thrive in the high mountains, seemed to lack the sharpness and endurance that had defined his 2023 campaign.

The disappointment was not lost on Visma, with the team’s sports director, Grischa Niermann, admitting that Kuss had not been at the level they had hoped for at this year’s Vuelta. Niermann’s candid assessment underscored the sense of frustration within the team, particularly as Roglic—who had left Jumbo-Visma at the end of 2023—claimed the red jersey that Kuss had worn so proudly a year earlier.

The irony was palpable: one of the reasons for Roglic’s departure from Jumbo-Visma was the team orders that had prevented him from attacking Kuss during the 2023 Vuelta, yet here he was, winning the race as Kuss and his former team struggled.

The Mental Toll of Leadership

Kuss’s struggles in 2024 may also be attributed to the mental and emotional toll of being a team leader at a Grand Tour. Earlier this year, Kuss admitted in an interview that he did not want to experience the pressure of being a team leader at a Grand Tour again. This perhaps indicates that the stress and team politics that come with the role had taken a toll on him, and he preferred his previous role as a super-domestique, where he could ride without the weight of expectations on his shoulders. This admission highlighted the psychological challenges that come with leading a team in a Grand Tour, challenges that Kuss were introduced to in 2023.

Unfortunately, Kuss struggled to match the performances of the previous year. Whether it was the lingering effects of COVID-19, the mental fatigue from last year’s gruelling season, or a combination of factors, Kuss was not able to deliver the same level of performance that had made him a Grand Tour champion. It must also be said that Visma’s team this year was considerably weaker than it was at last year’s Vuelta, where Kuss was on paper the third ‘strongest’ rider behind Vingegaard and Roglic, both of whom played some role in supporting his red jersey victory.

What’s Next for Sepp Kuss?

As the 2024 season draws to a close, Kuss will undoubtedly be reflecting on what has been a challenging season. The American remains one of the best climbers in the peloton, and he still has plenty of time to add to his impressive palmarès. However, the setbacks of this season will serve as a reminder of the challenges that come with the highs of professional cycling. The expectations placed on a Grand Tour champion are immense, and the pressure to perform at that level consistently can be overwhelming.

Looking ahead to 2025, Kuss will likely focus on rebuilding his confidence and form. A return to his role as a super-domestique could be on the cards, where he can once again be the reliable and formidable climbing support for Visma’s GC hopes. However, it would be unwise to count Kuss out as a potential leader in the future. If he can regain the form that made him the 2023 Vuelta champion, there’s no reason why Kuss couldn’t contend for another Grand Tour title.

For now, though, Kuss and Visma will need to regroup and learn from the lessons of this season. The disappointment of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana will undoubtedly sting, but it will also serve as motivation for the challenges that lie ahead. Kuss’s journey in professional cycling has been anything but linear, and while this year may have been a setback, it’s unlikely to be the end of his story. With the right preparation and a bit of luck, Sepp Kuss could very well find himself back on top in the near future.