From sociable to champion

Sepp Kuss came to the Vuelta as a group participant and left as the winner of a big one. His victory was just beginning to be forged in the chores when he sneaked away Javawire. And it was consolidated when it showed its rival, but above all its two leaders Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic, who could be responsible for the red jersey until Madrid. Kuss’ main opponents were inside. Until after Angliru He said “enough.” That was the day Sepp went from herd fighter to leader… And from leader to champion.

Kuss’ first win at a majorat 29 years old, is the best example of this absolute dominance of the Jumbo. This Vuelta will not be remembered as either the closest or the most exciting, but it will go down in the cycling books for its historic exploits. First of all, the American’s victory is the culmination of his team’s unprecedented plenary session the big three of 2023: Sepp (Vuelta), Vingegaard (Tour) and Roglic (Giro). These three same protagonists took the lead in that order the three places on the podium in Madrid, a photo that has not been repeated since the Kas in 1966. And a third fact: Kuss wins the Vuelta after competing in all three races this year. Gastone Nencini did something similar in 1957, but won the Giro, chronologically the second race. Sepp did it in the third. It has more value.

The Jumbo Festival grew out Downfall of main competitor Remco Evenepoel, Which in this Vuelta raises many doubts about his ability to overcome the big climbs with the best, but also the image of an untamed, rebellious, non-conformist cyclist… Evenepoel could have gone home, but he decided to put on his show for the rest of the race. Remco leaves the Spanish round with three stage wins, the mountain jersey, the Super Combat award and second place in the regularity… And with several more attempts in favor of the show, including the one he led this Sunday the last round of Madrid.

As a matter of fact, Evenepoel caused a blockade of six cyclists on the Paseo del Pradoa sextet of massive scooters and hunters, with Filippo Ganna, Rui Costa, Lennard Kämna, Nico Denz and Kaden Groves himself, who didn’t want to take advantage of his options in the final sprint because if Remco won, he would endanger the green jersey that the Australian was wearing. The group kept the pace high. and his own Groves took the win after returning from Evenepoel, with the breath of the train already on their necks, mixed with the refugees. The Alpecin sprinter added this his third victory at the 2023 Vuelta, the same as the Belgian Soudal. Two stars of the race, side by side. Until the last day.

Groves in the green jersey and Evenepoel in the blue polka dot jersey rose last podium in Madrid, where it shone with its own light a former sociable champion: Sepp Kuss.

General ranking

Pos Cyclist	equipment	Time
1 Kaden Groves	ADC	2h:24:13
2 Filippo Ganna	IGD	+00:00
3 Nico Denz	BOH	+00:00
4 Hugo Page	ICW	+00:00
5 Ivan Cortina	MOV	+00:00
6 Rui Costa	ICW	+00:00
7 Marijn van den Berg	EFE	+00:00
8th Remco Evenepoel	SOQ	+00:00
9 Dries van Gestel	TEN	+00:00
10 Lennard Kamna	BOH	+00:00

Pos Cyclist	equipment	Time
1 Sepp kiss	TJV	76h:48:21
2 Jonas Vingegaard	TJV	+00:17
3 Primoz Roglic	TJV	+01:08
4 Juan Ayuso	UAD	+03:18
5 Mikel Landa	TBV	+03:37
6 Enric Mas	MOV	+04:14
7 Alexander Vlasov	BOH	+07:53
8th Cian Uijtdebroeks	BOH	+08:00
9 Joao Almeida	UAD	+10:08
10 Santiago Buitrago	TBV	+11:38

See full classification