Sepp Kuss has claimed a crucial victory at the third stage of the Tour of Burgos, offering a significant morale boost for his team, Visma | Lease a Bike. The American rider showcased his exceptional climbing skills by conquering the challenging ascent of Lagunas de Neila, finishing solo at the top. With this win, Kuss not only secured the stage but also took over the leader’s jersey, following sprinter Caleb Ewan’s early exit from the race.
After a series of crashes earlier in the race, the peloton faced a demanding stage filled with tough climbs. Tuesday’s stage had already tested the riders with substantial elevation, but Wednesday’s route proved even more challenging. The riders tackled four significant climbs, including two first-category ascents: the Alto de Rozavientos and the final climb to Lagunas de Neila. With the finish line positioned at over 1,700 meters, the stage was poised to shake up the general classification.
The stage began with an early breakaway featuring four riders: Dutchman Jetse Bol (Burgos-BH), Kazakh rider Nicolas Vinokourov (Astana Qazaqstan), German Gomez (Polti-Kometa), and Alex Diaz (Caja Rural). They managed to gain a lead of three and a half minutes over the peloton, but their effort was destined to set the stage for the general classification contenders to shine later in the race.
Jetse Bol proved to be the strongest among the breakaway quartet, holding out the longest on the penultimate climb. However, with 23 kilometers remaining, the breakaway was reeled in, largely due to the relentless pace set by Visma | Lease a Bike, with Dutchman Robert Gesink playing a key role.
As the peloton approached the final climb, the race dynamics shifted. Antonio Tiberi from Bahrain Victorious, struggling with form, was one of the first to drop off. The steep ascent of Lagunas de Neila took its toll on several riders, including the injured Nairo Quintana and Valentin Paret-Peintre, who were forced to abandon.
INEOS Grenadiers attempted to control the climb for their leader Thymen Arensman, but as the gradient steepened, the race exploded. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe also contributed to the pace, but with three kilometers to go, the group had been whittled down to about thirty riders. Arensman unexpectedly fell behind, and it was Cian Uijtdebroeks who launched the first serious attack. Kuss, showing his readiness for the upcoming Vuelta a España, stayed close to his teammate and responded to the move.
Victor Lafay and Jefferson Cepeda made their own attempts to shake things up, but it was Kuss who had the final word. In the steepest section of the climb, he unleashed a powerful acceleration that left his rivals struggling to keep up. Only Cepeda managed to stay somewhat close, but Kuss’s climbing prowess was too much for anyone to handle.
As the final kilometer approached, Kuss steadily increased his lead, crossing the finish line solo to claim a well-deserved victory. After a challenging season, this win was a much-needed confidence boost for the American, who will now wear the leader’s jersey heading into the next stage. Jefferson Cepeda secured third place, while Lorenzo Fortunato made a late surge to take second.
The results from this stage not only highlight Kuss’s form ahead of the Vuelta but also set the stage for an exciting battle in the remaining days of the Tour of Burgos. With the leader’s jersey on his shoulders, Kuss and his team will be looking to defend their position and build momentum heading into the final stages of the race.
