“Jonas Vingegaard was sick — coughing a lot, struggling to breathe properly" - Sepp Kuss reveals untold story of Visma's Vuelta 2025 victory

On the day he turned 31, Sepp Kuss delivered yet another reminder of why he's regarded as one of the finest domestiques of his generation. The American climbed to second place atop the legendary Bola del Mundo, finishing just behind his teammate and team leader Jonas Vingegaard, in a performance that also propelled him into seventh overall in the final GC standings.

Kuss has become a constant presence in the Grand Tour triumphs of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, having played key support roles in the victories of both Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic in recent years, even taking La Vuelta himself in 2023. And once again, when it mattered most, he was right where the team needed him.

“It’s a special day,” said Kuss after the stage. “This climb gave me my first Grand Tour win, and it was also where I won a Grand Tour for the first time with Primoz. To now win again here with Jonas — especially after the way he supported me in 2023 — it’s a dream.”

Vingegaard’s dominant ride on the final summit not only sealed the stage win but also put the red jersey beyond doubt. Yet, questions had lingered about the Dane’s form after visible struggles in the second week. “He was sick — coughing a lot, struggling to breathe properly,” Kuss revealed. “To finish a Grand Tour, you need to be at 100%, and he was suffering every day. But in the third week, he turned it around — and today, you saw the result.”

For Kuss, the third week of a Grand Tour is familiar ground for finding his best legs. “It seems I always get a brutal climb on my birthday,” he joked. “First the Angliru, and now Bola del Mundo — great presents.”

Despite losing two riders in the final week, Visma's remaining six put on a tactical and physical masterclass. Kuss was quick to highlight the collective strength that carried the team to yet another Grand Tour victory. “It’s really something special what we’ve done here. Just six of us left this week, but we all worked hard — everyone’s part of this win.”

Away from the racing, the final week of the Vuelta was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused delays and tension, particularly when passing through urban areas. Kuss acknowledged the impact but praised the organisers and police for maintaining safety. “We expected some disruption going through big cities — there was a bit of chaos,” he said. “But I never felt unsafe. The organisers and police did a great job making sure our security was looked after.”

With another top-ten Grand Tour finish and his reputation as an elite mountain support rider further enhanced, Kuss continues to quietly build one of the most respected careers in modern cycling — a birthday performance to remember.