Four American Cyclists who are riding the 2021 Tour de France
Four American cyclists, Sepp Kuss, Brandon McNutly, Sean Bennett and Nielson Powless are riding the Gran Boucle for four different teams. All have their own unique abilities which have earned them spots in their respective squads
Twenty-three teams will be participating at the 2021 Tour de France, with 184 riders battling it out for the yellow jersey. Of the 184 riders, only four Americans are participating in the 108th edition of the Tour de France, whose Grand Depart is on 26 June from Brest, Brittany in France.
2021 USA Road race champion, Joey Rosskopf (Rally Cycling) weren't invited to race and Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) was not picked by the American team who chose Nielson Powless.
Sepp Kuss (Team Jumbo-Visma)
Out of the four American riders, Sepp Kuss is the biggest name in the US cycling circuit. He is one of the main support riders in Team Jumbo-Visma and has provided strong assist to team’s leader and 2020 Tour de France runners-up, Primož Roglic.
Now well renowned as one of the top road cycling climbers in the world, the 26-year old from Durango is in his fourth season as a pro rider. In 2020, he made his Tour de France debut and completed his third Spanish Vuelta. With his appearance in the 2018 Giro d’Italia, he has now started and finished five Grand Tours.
Sepp Kuss finished fourth during Stage 17 of the 2020 Tour de France, showing the cycling world he is ready to chase more stage wins during the 2021 season.
However, Kuss has the ability to breakaway in rougher terrain and climb ahead of other riders.
As he readies for the 2021 Tour de France, Kuss has become a regular part of the Team Jumbo-Visma squad, proving his loyalty to the team and leader Roglic over and over again.
If Roglic is riding well, Kuss could be up for a stage win and is tipped as a futire GC contender.
Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates)
If there’s one rider who looks capable of becoming America’s next grand tour contender, it’s Brandon McNulty. Riding his first Tour de France this year, the 23-year-old was originally slated to lead his team at the Giro d’Italia, in which he finished 15th overall last year.
After eye-catching performances at Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya – with strong showings against the clock in each – he arrived in the Basque Country and immediately placed runner-up in the opening time trial, second only to Primož Roglic.
After establishing himself in the top three with Roglic and Pogacar, he seized the initiative on stage 4, tactically outmaneuvering Roglic and Jumbo-Visma to take the overall lead, he didn’t just ride into the leader’s jersey, he also rode into UAE Team Emirates’ Tour de France squad.
Although he didn’t manage to win the Tour of the Basque County he impressed his team enough to earn a spot in the 2021 Tour de France line-up.
The 23-year-old US cyclist is excited to be supporting the defending champion, Tadej Pogacar, and expressed that the whole situation is a little crazy for him.
Nielson Powless (Team EF Education-Nippo)
Another talented US cyclist, Nielson Powless, will be a strong contender for the time trial stages.
The 24-year-old impressed in his rookie Tour in 2020, riding into several key breakaways, and will join the likes of Rigoberto Urán and Sergio Higuita as the team hunts for stages and a strong GC placing.
He's the Tour De France’s First Native American pro cyclist from the Oneida Tribe.
Powless will be helping Rigoberto Urán, hot off second place at the Tour de Suisse, make a run for a strong GC position. The team juggled its Tour ambitions following Urán’s strong showing, and will now mix in stage-hunting with a push for the podium.
On a good day, he can also give strong competition with good climbing and will be a key support to leader Rigoberto Urán. But he needs to work on his consistency.
Sean Bennett (Team Qhubeka Assos)
The 25-year-old American rider from El Cerrito, California, is not as famous as the other riders from the States.
However, in the 2018 Tour of Gila, he came 8th overall and also won the young rider award, this will be his first apperance at the Tour de France.
Teammate and Spanish pro Carlos Barbero has been called up as a replacement for Fabio Aru who is out due to bad form.
