BARCELONA (AFP) – The gruelling Vuelta a Espana begins today with Sepp Kuss aiming to defend his crown while veteran Primoz Roglic hopes to secure a joint-record fourth victory in the Spanish race.
With star trio Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel not competing this year, several other cyclists are eyeing the chance to claim a Grand Tour triumph.
American rider Kuss has endured a tough season after competing in all three Grand Tours last year.
Kuss withdrew from the Tour de France in June after struggling with COVID-related fitness issues, but won the Vuelta a Burgos last week to gear up for his Spanish tour defence.
“I quickly got over the disappointment of missing the Tour, but it was definitely a letdown… luckily, I was able to focus on the Vuelta afterwards,” said Kuss, who lives in Andorra and enjoys some ‘home’ support.
“I definitely don’t see myself as the top favourite for the overall victory. I’m ready to lead the team in the Vuelta, but I don’t feel any pressure.
“Hopefully, I can grow into the race and quickly find a good rhythm.”
Wout Van Aert is also riding for Visma in the Vuelta for the first time, aiming to claim stage wins as well as supporting teammate Kuss.
While Kuss started last year’s Vuelta set to play second fiddle to Visma team-mates Vingegard and Roglic, now of German team Bora-Hansgrohe, the 29-year-old took the lead in stage eight never relinquished it.
It completed a remarkable treble of Grand Tour wins for the Dutch team after Roglic won last year’s Giro d’Italia and Vingegaard was crowned Tour de France champion.
This year Pogacar’s Giro and Tour triumphs mean UAE Team Emirates can replicate that success if they emerge victorious in Spain.
