Visma-Lease a Bike will try to defend the Vuelta a Espana title and will bring Wout Van Aert, Sepp Kuss, and also Cian Uijtdebroeks to the start line in Lisbon on Saturday.
Vuelta a Espana 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.”
“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.”
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, 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.”
“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 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.”
Sports director Niermann is also looking forward to the Vuelta a Espana 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.”
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.
