"We wanted to make the race tough" - Sepp Kuss' long-range attack helps Team Visma | Lease a Bike light up Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia

Returning to racing for the first time this year, Sepp Kuss helped Team Visma | Lease a Bike set the Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia ablaze with a long-range attack alongside teammate, Jan Tratnik.

"We wanted to make the race tough there. Especially for the sprinters," admitted the Vuelta a Espana champion in his post-race interview. "It was a good time to attack because the breakaway wasn't too far away. I was paying less attention in the final and was already a bit tired, so that's why I couldn't participate in the decisive attacks."

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team's Ben O'Connor was the eventual winner, thanks to a brilliant solo attack. For Team Visma | Lease a Bike meanwhile, Jan Tratnik was best placed, 58 seconds behind O'Connor in second place.

"Jan was very strong in the final and we can be happy with his second place. I'm tired, it was tough, but so far so good," Kuss reflects with Tratnik himself adding, "This is a great start to the season. Today's long climb was difficult for me, but the shorter climb at the end suited me better. I felt better towards the end. I must say that I am very satisfied with this."