“There’s not one rider who’s super dominant... it’ll be exciting” - GC Kuss senses opportunity in Tadej Pogacar’s absence to reclaim Vuelta crown
CyclingSunday, 30 August 2026 at 15:00
Sepp Kuss begins Stage 9 of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana, the first mountain stage since Tadej Pogacar’s race-ending crash, sitting fourth overall and suddenly facing a realistic route back towards the red jersey he won three years ago.
Pogacar’s withdrawal on Stage 8 removed a leader who had already built a 3:50 advantage and won three stages during the opening week. Enric Mas inherited red, but the remaining contenders are divided by margins that can be overturned during a single difficult ascent.
Kuss trails Mas by 2:15, with Primoz Roglic second at one minute and Felix Gall another 11 seconds behind. Oscar Onley sits only one second behind the American, while Richard Carapaz is seven seconds further back, leaving six riders within 2:22 of the new race leader.
For a rider whose team combined his GC campaign with powerful sprint ambitions during the opening week, the complexion of the race has changed dramatically. Kuss is no longer pursuing the podium behind an apparently unassailable favourite. The 2023 winner is part of an open contest for overall victory.
Kuss ready to continue after Stage 8 crash
Kuss was among the riders brought down in the same incident that ended Pogacar’s race. Ben Tulett also fell, while Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates – XRG teammates stopped around their leader as medical personnel attended to him.
Although Kuss escaped serious injury and completed the stage with the main field, his ability to recover overnight remained important before almost 5,000 metres of climbing on the road to Alto de Aitana. “We’ll see how I feel today, but I’m happy that I could get on the bike without any problem,” Kuss said before Stage 9.
The crash was one of several during an exceptionally difficult afternoon. Pogacar suffered a concussion, displaced left clavicle fracture and stable C7 cervical fracture, leaving UAE without the rider around whom their Vuelta had been built.
Kuss acknowledged how quickly a team must reset after losing a leader capable of winning the race. “It’s difficult to change the mindset when you lose the leader who can win the race,” he explained. “The whole team raises its level to support that leader, but at the same time you quickly change the focus and realise that you’re all in good shape and you can make something out of that race.”
UAE surrendered any residual GC positions by waiting for Pogacar and eventually crossing the line together almost 12 minutes behind the peloton. Their focus now turns towards aggressive racing and stage victories, removing the team that had controlled much of the opening week from responsibility at the head of the field.
“There’s not one rider who is super dominant”
That responsibility initially belongs to Movistar, with Mas defending the red jersey for the first time. Unlike Pogacar, however, the Spaniard does not possess a multi-minute buffer or an obvious physical advantage over every challenger.
“It’s a really open race,” Kuss assessed. “There’s not one rider who is super dominant. I think it’ll be exciting.”
Kuss expects every team with an overall contender to search for opportunities, but identified Decathlon CMA CGM Team as the most likely source of sustained pressure. Gall begins Stage 9 only 11 seconds behind Roglic and has already shown some of the strongest climbing form in the race.
“Movistar have the jersey, but Decathlon look super strong,” Kuss said. “I would expect them to do something, maybe not today but later. Every team will do what they can to take time.”
The American’s own approach remains deliberately understated. “I feel good and I’m enjoying the race so far. That’s the main thing.”
That enjoyment now comes with considerably greater stakes. Kuss starts the six-climb Stage 9 within one attack of the podium and 2:15 from reclaiming red, with the 22-kilometre ascent of Alto de Aitana providing the first examination of the Vuelta’s completely rewritten hierarchy.
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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- It's incredibly optimistic to think that Tadej can ride the World's this year, but I just can't see that happening, given the severity of the injuries. Perhaps he could make the start of Lombardia at best, but I think that we'll be seeing a new winner at that race this year.
santiagobenites30-08-2026 - He may very well treat them like that. I wouldn't know. He is not an idiot though. He is hardly likely to get Pogacar - his star world class rider, best ever road race cyclist, back racing for short term gain is he?Cyclingsbestfan30-08-2026
- Awaken, you!
Rafionain-Glas30-08-2026 - There is no way to make cycling races safe. From idiot race organizers to rider actions. Idiot fans. Its a shamecaptmike30-08-2026
- the guy with a vested interest in his client being up and at races. seems reliable and unbiased hey hahawrsty30-08-2026
- Thing is, Gianetti is the kind to treat his riders as gladiatorsRafionain-Glas30-08-2026
- Absolutely advice that makes sense. although for the wrong reason .I am not worried about the the C7 bone fracture itself, since it is not dislocated and should normally heal within 8-10 weeks, and when completely healed the fractured location is usually stronger than before or at least as strong. Bone health among bikers are not as good as most other atlethes due the restricted cost and low body mass. Complete healing can be secured by CT- scan and/or other imaging devices. My concern is rather, that Tadej for sure, has signs and symptoms of a Whiplash Associated Disorder in the severe category with neck pain and vertebra fracture. In other words he has had a concussion of the cervical spine in addition to concussion of the the brain. Thus to avoid longterm or even life long consequences of these concussions, the time horizon for safe rehabilitation is quite long, and premature come back will be a hazard for Tadejs lifetime health. Stop talking about a speedy comeback in this case, hope is not a strategy. Pro riders risk their health and life every day on the road to entertain us. They should not be treated as gladiators who can be returned to the Colosseum as soon as possible. Fortunately the prognosis for Tadej is good but he needs time.Jakob30-08-2026
- True, I'm a citizen of the USA but not an American if my parents and grandparents are Slovenian. It's also called "birthright citizenship" This rule is also known as "right of the soil." It applies no matter what citizenship your parents hold. So if a husband and wife from China get a baby during their stay in the US, the baby becomes an American citizen, but he's realy Chineese. Ad acta.PogiSloFans30-08-2026
- Highly doubt Rogla will take the win, I think his time is done. But if I’m wrong, all respect to Rogla. In an entirely biased opinion, I am rooting for Mas.anonymouscyclist30-08-2026
- His shoulder looked awful, the immediate and sheer bruising is a worry. I can see this being the end of his season, at a minimum. I hope he recovers okay.anonymouscyclist30-08-2026
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