"You experience more disappointments than victories" - Jonas Vingegaard to retire? Sepp Kuss dismisses speculation
CyclingWednesday, 22 July 2026 at 11:30
Jonas Vingegaard finds himself at a career crossroads after suffering a Tour de France-ending crash on Sunday. The Visma | Lease a Bike leader broke his collarbone as the Dutch team's Tour dreams came crashing down to earth and their plans were torn up drastically.
As the peloton approached the Plateau de Solaison on Sunday's stage 15, Vingegaard crashed in a roundabout corner as he lost his front wheel and hit the ground hard. It became clear immediately that his race was over as he was put in an ambulance, with the team later confirming he suffered a broken collarbone.
With Visma controlling the race at the time, it's a case of what could have been for Sepp Kuss and the team as they wonder what's next as they venture into the final week of the race without their leader. Kuss said the team is trying to stay optimistic despite missing Vingegaard.
“It’s disappointing, because our part of the race was only going to start on that stage,” the American told Cyclism’Actu after his time trial on Stage 16.
“It happened right before the final climb. We’re all thinking about how it could have been. But we still have a good group, and we’ve made the adjustment. We miss Jonas, but we’re looking ahead to the coming days—it’s going to be fun.”
Kuss doesn't agree with Vingegaard retirement
What are his opinions on commentary around what's next for Vingegaard? Kuss doesn't believe this setback will define the Danish rider's career. For the American, disappointment is part and parcel of the sport.
"You get used to disappointments, it's part of the sport," Kuss said.
"Jonas was disappointed, of course, but he was in good spirits. He knows it could be worse; he’s had worse crashes. He’ll be back next year, and he’s already looking forward to it. It’s all about that mental shift - something you get used to as a cyclist. As a rider, you experience more disappointments than victories.”
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Looking ahead, Kuss sees opportunity in the breakaway. Specifically, high mountain stages on stages 19 and 20, but he knows UAE Team Emirates - XRG's plans as well as the general classification ambitions from teams these days.
He added: “I hope to be in the breakaway during the tougher mountain stages. I’ll try to enjoy those moments at the front of the Tour - those moments are special in their own right. As for Stages 19 and 20: it depends on what UAE decides to do. We’ll try something every day.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Usual suspectsMistermaumau22-07-2026
- So what happens to your mini Pog DT then?Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- Too many problems to solve over at MandisU to focus on cycling.Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- That’s kind of BS MM! You should inform yourself before spewing crap out. Maybe it wasn’t at the time yours was but they can’t do everyone simultaneously. The fact you got chosen is kind of proof the criteria aren’t as suspicious as some make out since neither you nor your team are particularly dangerous in any racing aspect. 150+ other riders also haven’t had 5am sessions, why pick out a single rider?Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- E20,900 so far...... some teams haven't earned that in prize money yet, maybe need to list the UCI Fines in the total prize fundsslappers6622-07-2026
- Cool story bro, love your work. 😘
Andrew22-07-2026 - I’ll take my tongue out my cheek for the next few comments.Andrew22-07-2026
- Evanapoel is certainly on a high. Stage 18 is going to be interesting.Cyclingsbestfan22-07-2026
- Or he could go to UAE and develop there, but I am a fan of UAE and Pogi so my view is biased. Pogi would be his good mentor, and Seixas could take over in 2030, when Pogi retires, after winning TdF 9X. :))mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales22-07-2026
- I always know what you're thinkng. I also know what your twin brother, frieder3, is thinking. Oh you poor souls, I pity both of you. You should both eat fatty fish salmon, for omega-3s, and blueberries for antioxidants. They do wonders :))mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales22-07-2026
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