Sepp Kuss to Miss Tour de France Due to COVID-19 Recovery

Spanish Vuelta champion Sepp Kuss will not participate in the Tour de France as he hasn't fully recovered from a COVID-19 infection. Kuss, who was to support Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma-Lease a Bike, fell ill during the Criterium Du Dauphine. Bart Lemmen will replace him in the squad.

Sepp Kuss, the reigning Spanish Vuelta champion, has been ruled out of the upcoming Tour de France due to an insufficient recovery from a COVID-19 infection, according to a statement from his team on Tuesday.

The American cyclist, originally set to assist Team Visma-Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard, contracted the illness during the Criterium Du Dauphine warmup race and has not regained full fitness. His absence is a significant blow to Vingegaard, the two-time reigning champion, who relies on Kuss for his mountainous prowess.

Bart Lemmen, who signed with Team Visma-Lease a Bike in January, will step in for Kuss. The Tour de France commences this Saturday from Florence, Italy.