Take2 weeks ago
Kuss arrived at the Vuelta a España 2026 as a support option, not a GC leader — then Pogačar's 50km solo on Stage 4 reshuffled the race so completely that the 2023 champion now sits fourth overall at 3:44, on the podium by circumstance rather than design.
Pogačar attacked from the Collada de Beixalis with 50km remaining and finished alone, leaving the rest of the GC field — including Kuss, Roglič, and Enric Mas — to cross 2:39 back in the same group. It's Kuss's third Grand Tour this season; he finished 13th at both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in a support role for Jonas Vingegaard. Visma-Lease a Bike entered the race with multiple climbing options and tactical flexibility, which means Kuss's podium position is an opportunity the team can choose to exploit — or not.
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