Due to a covid infection in the Critérium du Dauphiné, Kuss missed out on participating in the Tour de France. After a new training period, the defending champion of the Vuelta a España is looking optimistically towards the remainder of his season. "I feel good," Kuss says. "It took me a while to recover from my illness, but my preparation for this period went smoothly. Unfortunately, riding the Tour was not possible for me, but the altitude training in Tignes with some teammates did me well."   

"The Vuelta a Burgos is a perfect preparation for the Vuelta a España," he adds. "We ride on similar roads and in the same warm weather conditions. Some challenging stages await in which I want to show myself, but the main goal for me is to gain race rhythm. I hope that I will be able to finish the race with a good feeling and that I can add the final touches towards the Tour of Spain."  

Sports director Marc Reef: "Besides Sepp, Cian Uijtdebroeks also had a rest and training period. They were both able to prepare very well in Tignes. We definitely want to get a fine result, but our main goal is to leave the race with a good feeling. We see the Vuelta a Burgos as the ultimate incentive towards our bigger goal. In addition, young riders like Ben Tulett and Johannes Staune-Mittet will get their chance to show themselves.”  

Team Visma | Lease a Bike's seven-man selection at the Vuelta a Burgos will include Sepp Kuss, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Ben Tulett, Johannes Staune-Mittet, Robert Gesink, Julien Vermote and Edoardo Affini.