"I struggled for quite a long time but now I'm finally back" - Sepp Kuss seems ready to defend his Vuelta title

Sepp Kuss has won the third stage of the Vuelta a Burgos. The 29-year-old American of Team Visma | Lease a Bike proved the strongest on the Lagunas de Neila and finished off the strong work from his teammates. Thanks to this victory, Kuss also moves up to the overall lead with only today's time trial likely to shake up the GC.

"I am very happy with this performance," Kuss expressed on team website. "It was a tough day, partly because of the heat. On the final climb I was struggling quite a bit, but I wanted to try at least once. When I saw I had created a gap, I went as hard as I could. I'm glad it worked out and I want to thank my teammates for all the work they did."

"I struggled for quite a long time with the after-effects of covid. Fortunately, I am now back on level and the confidence is back. I'm ready to defend my title in the Vuelta," concludes the American who'll have to deliver another big performance today to defend his overall lead in the 18 km individual time trial.

According to sports director Marc Reef, Kuss' victory achieved the first of the three goals set. "Beforehand we had said we wanted to prepare for the Vuelta, ride a good GC and fight for a stage win. The latter has been achieved and with the other two we are well on our way. I expect a very interesting battle in the time trial."