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Meet the Americans competing at the 2024 Tour de France
By Carrie McDonald , USA TODAY,
11 hours ago
A general classification win may be out of reach for the American riders in the Tour de France, but ending a three-year stage win drought is well within their grasp.
Sepp Kuss, 29, was the last American to win a stage when he took Stage 15 of the 2021 Tour de France. The Durango, Colorado native is the best rider the country has seen in a decade. Last year, Kuss finished as the top American in 12th place at the Tour de France and won the 2023 Vuelta a España to become the first American Grand Tour winner since Chris Horner won the same race in 2013. However, although slated to be Jonas Vingegaard’s top support rider for the 2024 Tour de France, Kuss withdrew from this year’s edition after testing positive for COVID-19 in the lead-up to the race.
So, who is left in this year's race to give the United States a shot at glory — at least for one stage. Here's a look at the three Americans competing at the 2024 Tour de France.
Matteo Jorgenson (UCI WorldTeam Visma-Lease a Bike)
Team Visma's US rider Matteo Jorgenson celebrates with the best young rider's white jersey on the podium after the eighth and last stage of the 76th edition of the Criterium du Dauphine cycling race near Thorens-Glieres, French Alps, on June 9, 2024. THOMAS SAMSON, AFP via Getty Images
Jorgenson, 25, is having a breakthrough season with an overall victory at Paris-Nice 2024 and a second-place finish at the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine.
Jorgenson is a strong contender in this year's race for the white jersey, which recognizes the best young rider under 26. A versatile rider, Jorgenson — alongside Kuss — is poised to be USA's best hope for a future Tour de France general classification winner. But for now, he will take over from Kuss to play the chief support role for teammate Jonas Vingegaard, who won the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France.
This year will be Jorgenson’s third Tour de France. The Idaho-raised cyclist finished 20th in the general classification standings in 2022 and had to withdraw in 2023 due to injuries sustained in a crash along the route.
Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost)
A standout mountain biker during his young adulthood in California, 27-year-old Powless transitioned to the road and turned professional in 2018.
Powless made history in 2020 as the first Native American to compete in the Tour de France. Since then, he has continued to improve and is coming off his strongest season yet with overall victories at the 2023 Grand Prix La Marseillaise and Étoile de Bessèges.
Team EF Education's US rider Neilson Powless (R) looks on before competing in the first stage of the 76th edition of the Criterium du Dauphine cycling race, central France, on June 2, 2024. THOMAS SAMSON, AFP via Getty Images
In Kuss’ absence, Powless is the top American prospect for pulling off a stage win as he is known for his success with breakaways and aptitude at climbing. Last year, Powless led the King of the Mountain classification for the first half of the Tour but was ultimately edged out by Italy’s Giulio Ciccone. This year, he’ll be looking to finally secure the polka-dotted jersey by the end of the Grand Boucle .
Sean Quinn
Team EF Education's US rider Sean Quinn (R) cycles in a lead breakaway in the final ascent of Plateau des Glieres, in the eighth and last stage of the 76th edition of the Criterium du Dauphine cycling race near Thorens-Glieres, French Alps, on June 9, 2024. THOMAS SAMSON, AFP via Getty Images
Hailing from Los Angeles, Quinn is a 24-year-old, up-and-coming cyclist riding in his first Tour de France to support Richard Carapaz, team leader of EF Education-EasyPost. Hot off a victory at the U.S. National Road Race Championships in May, Quinn is a strong all-around rider who excels at climbing and can produce strong sprinting kicks. Quinn will certainly be one to watch as he develops in the coming years.
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