Sepp Kuss got to keep the leader’s red jersey in the Spanish Vuelta as his birthday gift. Celebrating his 29th birthday, the American held on to the overall lead despite finishing behind Jumbo-Visma teammates Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic after a difficult climb on Wednesday.
“When I crossed the finish line, I thought I had lost the jersey. And I wasn’t even sad because I gave it the best I could on the climb,” Kuss said. “When I heard I still had the jersey, I was a bit surprised. Strange feelings today, but not in a bad way. It was a very happy birthday, spending it doing what I enjoy most.”
Roglic picked up his second stage win after he and Vingegaard dropped Kuss near the end of the 124.5-kilometer (77.3-mile) route that finished through the fog atop the Altu de L’Angliru summit in a classic Vuelta ascent.—AFP
