The 77th Annual La Vuelta a España will begin this Friday, in Utrecht with a team time trial. This pancake-flat stage will kick off three-days in the Netherlands before circumventing the peloton make their way around Spain before the finale in Madrid. 

Three Americans will be lining up at the start this year alongside their prospective teams. Their numbers may be lacking in contrast with other countries, but the trio of compatriots are all vital members of their teams. 

Sepp Kuss

Jumbo – Visma’s Sepp Kuss returns as a super domestique for Primoz Roglič, after a strong showing at the Tour de France as part of the winning team in support of the Danish Champion Jonas Vingegaard. Often referred to as the strongest workhorse in the mountains, Kuss was Vingegaard’s lone defender after the team had lost both Roglič and Steven Kruijswijk on their way to Paris. 

While Kuss has yet to have the opportunity in a GC role in the WorldTour, he is certainly capable should the team find them in unfortunate circumstances with Roglič. Kuss made his debut at La Vuelta in 2018; he would win a stage the following year. In 2020, the Colorado native finished 16th on GC, cutting that in half with an 8th place GC finish in 2021, a month after notching his first Tour de France stage win beating the likes of Wout Poels and Alejandro Valverde. He will return to the role as Roglič mountain domestique in Spain, ready to defend his road captain on their journey to a hopeful fourth title. 

Brandon McNulty

Brandon McNulty will be making his Vuelta debut this week, supporting João Almeida for UAE Team Emirates. McNulty was often seen as the last domestique pacing Tadej Pogačar up summit finishes on his way to the win in Paris in 2020 and 2021. Last month, he finished third in the Best Young Rider classification at the Tour, behind Pogačar and Tom Pidcock (INEOS). He was third on one of the decisive summit finishes at the Tour, also behind Pogačar. 

Although he is the same age as Almeida, the Portuguese earned the captain’s role since spending 15 days in the Maglia Rosa during his Giro d’Italia debut in 2020. McNulty shines in the mountains, but has also proven to be solid in the time trail – a strength that should favor the team and him personally with two time trials on tap. 

Lawson Craddock

Lawson Craddock returns to La Vuelta in support of GC favorite Simon Yates. Team BikeExchange - Jayco brings a strong squad, comprised of 3 Grand Tour debutants and mostly sprinters and time trialists. Craddock has performed well at the Vuelta in the past, coming close to winning a stage in 2021. He is also known to fight for breakaways, and will be one to watch on punch stages when the GC battle is taking a pause. 

Cycling fans will remember Craddock best from his inspiring last place finish at the 2018 Tour de France. The Houston native crashed heavily in the opening stage, fracturing his shoulder blade, but managed to fight through the pain over cobblestone roads, the Alps and the Pyrenees. The 2-time US National Time Trial Champion is a fan favorite and is sure to fight hard for his team.

Watch daily coverage from the 77th edition of La Vuelta a España live on FloBikes beginning this Friday!