'Just go for it and don't look back' - Sepp Kuss completes trio of Grand Tour stage victories on Giro d'Italia queen stage

Sepp Kuss secured a landmark victory on stage 19 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia, conquering the demanding queen stage to the summit of Piani di Pezzè in Alleghe. This triumph marked a significant milestone in the American rider’s career, as it completed his collection of stage wins across all three Grand Tours. With the support and blessing of his Visma-Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard, Kuss was able to pursue his own success on a day tailored to his climbing strengths. The stage featured a brutal sequence of climbs, including Passo Duran, Coi, Forcella Staulanza, Passo Giau, and Passo Falzarego, culminating in the steep final ascent to Alleghe. Kuss joined a breakaway comprising several general classification contenders and other strong climbers, where tactical dynamics played a crucial role. Despite initially trailing the leader Giulio Ciccone, Kuss launched a decisive attack on the final climb, overcoming the gap and riding solo to the finish line. His calculated gamble paid off as he managed to hold off chasing rivals, demonstrating both physical resilience and race intelligence. Kuss reflected on the emotional significance of the victory, acknowledging the pressure he felt to secure a Giro stage win, which had eluded him until now. He praised the support from Vingegaard and the team, highlighting the mutual respect and camaraderie within Visma-Lease a Bike. “Just go for it and don’t look back” became his mantra on the steep final climb, encapsulating his determined approach. The win was also a poignant moment shared with his mother, who had travelled to witness the queen stage in person. This achievement not only cements Kuss’s reputation as a formidable climber and a rare Grand Tour stage winner but also underscores his evolution from a super domestique to a rider capable of seizing his own opportunities. As Visma-Lease a Bike continues to dominate Grand Tours with Vingegaard, Kuss’s breakthrough adds a new dimension to the team’s strategic options. Looking ahead, this victory could signal a shift in Kuss’s role, offering him more freedom to chase individual glory in future races.