Sepp Kuss Wins Vuelta a España

Sepp Kuss won the 2023 Vuelta a España, becoming the fourth US rider to officially win one of cycling's three-week grand tours.

What happened?

He completed all three grand tours: the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta, totaling 6,225 grueling miles of bike racing. Sepp Kuss served as the key helper, or domestique, for Jumbo-Visma teammate Primoz Roglic when Roglic won the 2023 Giro in May.

Why it matters for Sepp Kuss

His historic victory is a testament to his physical achievements, which his father, Dolph, describes as "mind-boggling". Dolph, 93, is a living connection to the primordial days of the American ski industry and partly responsible for transforming Durango into a mecca for outdoor sports.

What comes next?

Sepp Kuss's win was not without drama, as a bitter inter-squad rivalry at Jumbo-Visma nearly tore the team apart in the final few stages. And he looked like he was having a lot of fun the whole time, according to his mother, Sabina. Sepp Kuss's family, including his parents Sabina and Dolph, were not initially fans of cycling but have since learned everything about the sport. But even Dolph, with his vast experience coaching hundreds of athletes, seems dumbfounded by his son's achievement. Sepp Kuss's victory parade was held in his honor in Durango, Colorado, where he grew up. The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the hallway as we walk past paintings of wooded mountains and snowy landscapes at the Kuss family home. Sepp Kuss appears at the door wearing a pair of fuzzy slippers and a warm grin, welcoming visitors to his family's home.