Defending champion Kuss and stage hunter Van Aert lead Team Visma | Lease a Bike in Vuelta

Team Visma | Lease a Bike hopes to make an impact in Portugal and Spain with Van Aert, Kuss, and also Cian Uijtdebroeks. The latter two are aiming for the best possible position in the general classification. Van Aert will focus primarily on winning stages while also supporting the GC riders in the race, which runs from Saturday, August 17th to Sunday, September 8th.

First Vuelta for Van Aert

This year, the Vuelta a España is a new challenge for Van Aert. Although he has ridden the Tour de France multiple times in his career, the Belgian has never participated in another Grand Tour. “I’m really excited for the Vuelta,” Van Aert says. “During the Tour, I really found my good legs towards the end, which allowed me to achieve a good result at the Olympics as well. I certainly don’t feel burnt out. Of course, it remains to be seen how my body will react to riding two Grand Tours in a year, simply because I’ve never done it before. But I am confident that I can handle this Vuelta well, especially since in other years, I often came out of the Tour much more exhausted.”

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Van Aert makes no secret of his hunger for success. “I want to use this good feeling to win again. I’m really craving it. Let’s start by aiming for one stage win. Hopefully, that will lead to a successful three weeks. There are good opportunities in the first few days already. Maybe the red jersey could be an option then. My personal goal is to go for stage wins. Additionally, I want to be valuable to Sepp and Cian.”

“I want to use this good feeling to win again”

Wout van Aert

GC Kuss

Kuss, the overall winner of the 2023 edition, can’t wait to return to the Vuelta. After being forced to miss the Tour de France due to a COVID-19 infection, Kuss found renewed confidence with a stage win and overall victory in the Vuelta a Burgos. “It was a very satisfying feeling to win in Burgos. I hadn’t raced for a long time. This was a nice confirmation,” Kuss says. “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.”

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Kuss realizes that the Vuelta will be a very different challenge. “The win in Burgos definitely gave me confidence, but I was most happy just to be back on the bike and racing with the guys. I know the Vuelta will be a completely different story, with a different course and different competition. A lot can happen in a three-week race, but I’m glad that I feel good both physically and mentally. I took it easy for a few days after the COVID-19 infection but was able to train well afterward.”

“The people along the route make me feel appreciated.”

Sepp Kuss

Despite a good rehearsal, Kuss finds it difficult to set specific expectations for the upcoming Vuelta. “I find it hard to make firm predictions about this Vuelta. I’m starting with a different preparation compared to other years. Above all, I want to enjoy the coming weeks. I definitely don’t see myself as the top favorite 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.”

Living in Andorra, Kuss has a special bond with the Vuelta and the Spanish fans. “I always enjoy racing the Vuelta. The people along the route are very friendly; they chant my name and make me feel appreciated. This is one of the reasons I’m really excited to race the Vuelta in the coming weeks. I will ride as a proud defending champion.”

Free role for Uijtdebroeks

Sports director Niermann is also looking forward to the Vuelta a España with confidence. “We have a well-balanced team that can aim for both stage wins and a good general classification,” Niermann says. “Sepp has already proven to be one of the best climbers in the peloton and he is the defending champion here. Cian is a great talent who finished in the top ten of the general classification last year. Wout, in turn, brings unparalleled versatility to the team. He will focus on winning stages and is very eager to do so.”

“The races are coming thick and fast for Wout this summer, but that was discussed and planned,” says the German. “It was Wout’s explicit wish to race the Vuelta after the Tour. Wout is highly motivated to prove himself again this year because he’s a rider who wants to win races. As a team, we’ll do everything we can to help him win a stage in this Vuelta. He deserves it.”

“Cian is extremely motivated, but he’s still very young”

Grischa Niermann

Niermann also elaborates on the ambitions for the general classification. “Sepp is the defending champion, but not the top favorite to win this Vuelta. Cian rode a strong first part of the Giro but unfortunately had to withdraw due to illness. He could have competed for a top-five finish. He quickly refocused on the Vuelta and is extremely motivated, but he’s still very young. Therefore, there’s not too much pressure on him: he’ll have a free role. If, for example, Sepp suddenly takes the lead, it could be that Cian will take on a more supportive role. We are confident that it will be a great Vuelta for Team Visma | Lease a Bike.”

In addition to Van Aert, Kuss, and Uijtdebroeks, Edoardo Affini, Dylan van Baarle, Steven Kruijswijk, Attila Valter, and Robert Gesink will also participate in the Vuelta. For Gesink, it will be a particularly special edition, as it will be the last Grand Tour of his long career.

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Subjects

Cycling – World Tour men

Wout van Aert
Sepp Kuss
Grischa Niermann