TOUR DE FRANCE 2021 STAGE 15 RESULTS – SEPP KUSS SOLOS TO ANDORRAN VICTORY

America's first tour win in 10 years

Defending champion Tadej Pogacar survived a torrid day in the saddle as the Tour de France hit the Pyrenees on Sunday, the Slovenian holding on to the overall lead despite constant pressure from a clique of Ineos riders. The grueling stage 15 itself was won by American Sepp Kuss of the Jumbo Visma team, who broke away on the last of four tough climbs to distance 41-year-old Alejandro Valverde, who was second at the finish line of the tax-haven principality of Andorra. Kuss, a 26-year-old Coloradan, became the first American since Tyler Farrar back in 2011 to win a stage on the Tour de France, and girlfriend was present to witness the feat.

“My girlfriend and her family were on the final climb cheering me on. I’m lost for words,” said climb specialist Kuss, whose family has roots in Slovenia.

“It was a hard day in the break, but I know this ride well from training and knew where I could get a break,” he said.

Pogacar is perhaps the big winner on the day after he was isolated on the windy slopes of the third climb, but kept his calm and, crucially, pace as his closest rivals took turns to attack him.

Ineos have said they plan to grind him down in a bid to maneuver their own rider, Richard Carapaz, into contention for the yellow jersey. The Ecuadorian currently lies fourth, 5:33 behind Pogacar.

While Monday is a well-deserved rest day, Sunday’s first Pyrenean stage was the first of four challenges in this secluded mountain range where the 2021 Tour is likely to be decided.

Sepp Kuss (USA – Jumbo – Visma) – Alejandro Valverde (ESP – Movistar Team)

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 15 RESULTS

1	KUSS Sepp	Team Jumbo-Visma	5:12:06
2	VALVERDE Alejandro	Movistar Team	0:23
3	POELS Wout	Bahrain – Victorious	1:15
4	IZAGIRRE Ion	Astana – Premier Tech	1:15
5	GUERREIRO Ruben	EF Education – Nippo	1:15
6	QUINTANA Nairo	Team Arkéa Samsic	1:15
7	GAUDU David	Groupama – FDJ	1:15
8	MARTIN Dan	Israel Start-Up Nation	1:22
9	BONNAMOUR Franck	B&B Hotels p/b KTM	1:22
10	PARET-PEINTRE Aurélien	AG2R Citroën Team	1:22

OVERALL STANDINGS

1	POGAČAR Tadej	UAE-Team Emirates	62:07:18
2	URÁN Rigoberto	EF Education – Nippo	5:18
3	VINGEGAARD Jonas	Team Jumbo-Visma	5:32
4	CARAPAZ Richard	INEOS Grenadiers	5:33
5	O’CONNOR Ben	AG2R Citroën Team	5:58
6	KELDERMAN Wilco	BORA – hansgrohe	6:16
7	LUTSENKO Alexey	Astana – Premier Tech	7:01
8	MAS Enric	Movistar Team	7:11
9	MARTIN Guillaume	Cofidis, Solutions Crédits	7:58
10	BILBAO Pello	Bahrain – Victorious	10:59

RBA/AFP Photos: Bettini