Sepp Kuss Helps Anchor Visma’s Tour de France Support Squad

**Sepp Kuss** will ride as a climbing lieutenant for Visma‑Lease a Bike’s eight‑man Tour de France squad, announced on **4 July** ahead of the race’s start in Barcelona. The American brings nine Grand Tour starts to a line‑up built around defending champion **Jonas Vingegaard**, reinforcing the team’s mountain strategy and protecting the leader on key climbs.

Visma‑Lease a Bike confirmed a roster that mixes experience with fresh talent. **Jonas Vingegaard** remains the protected rider, while **Sepp Kuss** and all‑rounder **Matteo Jorgenson** form the climbing core. The squad also includes **Bruno Armirail**, the French time‑trial champion, **Edoardo Affini**, a strong TT specialist, and debutant **Per Strand Hagenes**. Italian **Davide Piganzoli** replaces the injured **Wout van Aert**, adding youthful vigor after a strong Giro showing.

Kuss’s nine Tour appearances give Visma a reliable mountain workhorse. He previously rode the Giro‑Tour double with the squad, proving he can sustain high tempo on long ascents and chase breakaways. His presence lets Vingegaard focus on the overall classification while Kuss handles the early moves on the Pyrenees and Alps. The American’s experience also supports younger riders like Piganzoli, who will learn the demands of a three‑week race.

With Vingegaard targeting a historic Giro‑Tour double, the team needs a solid engine in the high mountains. Kuss and Jorgenson together have a proven record of pacing Vingegaard through decisive stages. The addition of Armirail and Affini strengthens the team’s ability to control flat sections and the opening team time trial. If Vingegaard can stay protected on climbs, the squad’s depth could neutralize attacks from rivals such as **Tadej Pogačar**.

Visma‑Lease a Bike will fine‑tune its tactics during the final training camps in the Pyrenees. Kuss is expected to lead the mountain reconnaissance rides, mapping out key points for Vingegaard’s attacks. The team’s media day on **4 July** gave a glimpse of the chemistry among the riders, with Kuss emphasizing his readiness to “give everything” for the leader. The first stage, a team time trial, will test the cohesion of the eight‑man group before the peloton hits the first mountain stage.

The lineup signals a clear strategy: protect Vingegaard, dominate the climbs, and use the experienced core of **Sepp Kuss** to control the race tempo. As the Tour approaches, all eyes will be on how this blend of veterans and newcomers performs on the world’s biggest road race.