"I love these steep climbs" - Sepp Kuss at his very best but unable to help Vingegaard against Almeida attack

Steep climbs are Sepp Kuss' racing grounds and today at the Alto de l'Angliru. he showed his very best level. On the climb where two years ago he was attacked but virtually sealed his overall win at the Vuelta a Espana, he was close to Jonas Vingegaard, but could not stop Visma's defeat against João Almeida.

"I always look forward to this day, even though I'm always a little scared. I love these steep climbs; they get me excited," Kuss joked in an interview with Eurosport. "Luckily, I had excellent legs, although Dylan [van Baarle] and Wilco [Kelderman] rode such an incredible pace in the first three hours that I wondered if I would survive". 

Visma worked throughout the day as Vingegaard aimed at the stage win, one he wanted to dedicate to his family, but in the key climbs the Dutch team did not have to hit the wind. This was because, mostly, UAE Team Emirates - XRG took control of the peloton and set the Alto de l'Angliru up at João Almeida's liking.

When the pace really tightened up and the group got reduced, Kuss was there on the wheel of Jonas Vinggaard. "It was a great effort, before the pace picked up even more in the finale. Jonas looked good".

With 4 kilometers to go he had to let go of the front duo, but continued to ride closeby, following Jai Hindley who began his attack on the podium. "He didn't surprise me; Hindley is a fantastic rider, especially on climbs like this. It was an honor to be on his wheel".

Kuss arrived at the summit of the climb in fourth place, and his own performance saw him rise to the Top10, whilst Matteo Jorgenson was ridden out of it. GC won't be a priority, but Visma can be relieved that the American is motivated and having his best legs back. "My GC is looking better too. I lost a minute almost every day in the first week, but now the steeper climbs are coming in this Vuelta."