September 22, 2023 – Madrid, Spain
In the afterglow of his stunning victory at the 2023 Vuelta a España, American cyclist Sepp Kuss is using his newfound spotlight to pay homage to one of the sport’s most grueling and underappreciated disciplines: the individual time trial.
Kuss, 29, became the first American to win a Grand Tour in a decade, capturing the red jersey after three intense weeks of racing through the Spanish mountains. While widely regarded as a world-class climber, Kuss surprised many by holding his own in the Vuelta’s decisive time trial stage, where he limited his losses to top GC contenders and solidified his path to victory.
“I’ve always admired the discipline of time trialing,” Kuss said in a post-race press conference. “It’s just you, the bike, and the road — no drafting, no tactics, just pure effort. That stage was a turning point for me. It reminded me why I fell in love with cycling in the first place.”
Though time trials have never been Kuss’ strongest suit, his performance in the 2023 edition — particularly on Stage 10’s technical 25-kilometer course in Valladolid — drew praise from commentators and fans alike. Many noted that his aerodynamic positioning, pacing strategy, and mental resilience all showed significant improvement compared to past seasons.
“Time trials used to be something I feared,” Kuss admitted. “But I’ve learned to respect them. They reveal the truth of where you are physically and mentally. I think that helped shape me into a more complete rider this year.”
Kuss credited his team, Visma–Lease a Bike, and their performance staff for encouraging him to invest more in his time trial preparation over the past year. Specialized equipment, wind tunnel sessions, and coaching from experts like former TT specialist Jos van Emden helped him refine his technique and confidence.
As a tribute, Kuss said he plans to participate in more individual time trials moving forward, including targeting select stages in next year’s Giro d’Italia or Tour de France.
“I want to keep growing as a rider,” he said. “Winning the Vuelta was a dream, but I’m just as excited to see how far I can go in all areas — and that includes mastering the time trial.”
Kuss’ victory also rekindles memories of fellow American Chris Horner’s Vuelta win in 2013, and many in the cycling world see him as a beacon for a new generation of U.S. riders. By embracing every element of the sport — including the unforgiving art of the time trial — Kuss is helping redefine what it means to be a modern Grand Tour champion.
