After his breakthrough total victory on the Vuelta a España, Sepp Kuss is perhaps anticipated to be on the lookout for extra Grand Tour wins sooner or later, possibly even on the Tour de France. However the American and his Jumbo-Visma workforce are taking a cautious view of the longer term with Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič already established as Tour workforce leaders.
Kuss anticipates being in his traditional position subsequent summer season even after establishing himself as a Grand Tour champion.
“I can nonetheless be that very same rider behind the peloton, however there can be extra expectations from the skin world,” Kuss mentioned in an interview with Wielerflits, including that he is not eager to place extra expectations on himself.
But Kuss did one thing no different rider has completed in historical past this summer season: He was part of the profitable workforce on the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France then went on to win the general Vuelta a España. It confirmed not solely that he may very well be good on the finish of 1 Grand Tour, however he excelled even after two different demanding ones.
It was a stark distinction from earlier Grand Excursions the place Kuss invariably had one unhealthy day within the final week. In 2021, he misplaced over 5 minutes to Roglič within the remaining time trial. This yr, he gave up lower than a minute to most of his rivals and held onto his crimson jersey.
The Vuelta was a step ahead in studying the mentality of a Grand Tour winner however the Tour de France can be a a lot completely different affair, even when his followers would love nothing greater than seeing him within the maillot jaune.
“You may all the time have these aspirations,” Kuss mentioned of potential Tour de France desires. “However I understand that the Vuelta could be very completely different from the Tour.
“Usually I’ve nothing to lose as a result of I give attention to my work and need to do it properly. From that standpoint you don’t have anything to lose, however being centered each day and getting probably the most out of each stage is just not simple mentally.
“The Vuelta is the right race. It’s way more nervous within the Tour. The transition levels there are tougher and the climbs are much less steep. In order that race is absolutely completely different for me,” Kuss mentioned.
Almost definitely Kuss will return to being a super-domestique for Vingegaard and/or Roglič however with a slight change. “I additionally wish to be performed as a joker. That can also be motivating for me, to work for a pacesetter this manner and in addition to have the ability to race.”
Sport Director Merijn Zeeman mentioned Kuss can win one other Grand Tour however within the brief time period, “nothing will change for Sepp”.
“Sepp is aware of that he can win a Grand Tour at Jumbo-Visma, way more so than being the one chief some place else.”
Zeeman says the workforce know that Kuss would not essentially need to be the only chief of the workforce for a race just like the Tour de France.
“That is not his character. He loves it this manner. And he also can get pleasure from intensely when Jonas wins the Tour or Primož wins the Giro. He’s simply as pleased with that as he’s of profitable.”