[ad_1]
Sepp Kuss has clarified that though the Tour de France is a significant goal on his race programme this 12 months, he’ll assist two-time winner and defending champion Jonas Vingegaard and never journey as a fully-fledged staff chief.
In a current interview, the American acknowledged that he would put together for the Tour de France as a frontrunner, however the 2023 Vuelta a España winner elaborated on these feedback at the beginning of stage 1 of the Volta ao Algarve, including that whereas he was formidable, he was absolutely ready to sacrifice his race for his Danish teammate.
“I simply need to do my finest. Final 12 months I realised that I may very well be up there with the very best guys whereas not considering in any respect in regards to the GC. Now in the event you have a look at groups like UAE, or different groups, they’ve a variety of leaders, and also you at all times want a second man who can go together with a number of playing cards from a strategic standpoint within the first and second week. Within the third week, it’s simply in regards to the legs. It by no means hurts however I’m not delusional. I see the headlines saying ‘Sepp desires to win the Tour’ however everybody desires to win the Tour. Even a sprinter desires to win the Tour however I’m additionally not delusional or under-ambitious,” Kuss advised GCN and Cyclingnews in Portugal.
Learn extra: ‘The gravel is really fun’ – Sepp Kuss shows new verve at Clásica Jaén
The 29-year-old successfully meant that he would purpose to race in the same vein to Adam Yates, who supported Tadej Pogačar in final 12 months’s Tour and ended up with a stage win, a spell in yellow and third general within the race. It’s prudent that Visma-Lease a Bike have a plan B ought to Vingegaard falter via sickness or damage, however when push involves shove it’s the Dane who would be the most protected and supported Visma rider.
“Everybody has to search for a headline however individuals simply learn a headline, after which they suppose I don’t have my head on my shoulders, but when I say that I simply need to assist then individuals say I don’t have ambition and if I say I need to attempt for myself then individuals say I solely received the Vuelta due to a race state of affairs. That’s true however I additionally must shoot for one thing myself. It’s only a matter of in the event you’re good or not, then it’s simpler however I’ve no illusions about what I’m not able to.”
Learn extra: Sepp Kuss: I have to go into the Tour de France knowing I can win
Management on the Vuelta a España later within the 12 months is a much more possible situation for the American. He received final 12 months’s race via a mixture of sturdy legs, a robust staff, and a willingness throughout the Dutch camp to ultimately ease again on the ambitions of each Vingegaard and former teammate Primož Roglič.
“I believe the Vuelta for me is a little more outlined,” Kuss stated when requested about his Vuelta problem for this 12 months.
“It’s higher for me if Jonas is there, for instance, from a strain standpoint, but it surely’s a race that matches extra with my model. It’s a bit much less hectic than the Tour, so it suits a bit higher for me.”
Kuss has began the season in tremendous type, choosing up sixth within the Clásica Jaén one-day race. He’ll mood his personal ambitions on the Volta ao Algarve and work for teammate Jan Tratnik earlier than increase in the direction of the remainder of the spring and early summer time targets. Strade Bianche has been added to his calendar, with a stunning section of stage races crammed into March and April.
“I’m positively glad. The races I’ve finished up to now, together with this one, aren’t essentially those for me but it surely’s at all times good after I can really feel good in several types of race. It’s additionally fairly enjoyable and fewer expectations going into races. I’m simply seeing the way it goes,” he stated.
“For this week, I’m primarily going to assist out Jan. He’s in good condition and he deserves all the assistance, after which I’ll simply get a really feel for the racing. It’ll be good for me to do a time trial, and see the way it goes there. Now I’ll do Strade Bianche, then Catalunya, Basque Nation after which nothing for some time till the Dauphiné after which the Tour and Vuelta. That needs to be it.”
Learn extra: Sepp Kuss: I think it’s better for everybody that Roglič is on a different team
The Volta a Catalunya may very well be Kuss’ first management mission of the 12 months, however a lot will depend upon the type of potential co-leader Cian Uijtdebroeks, who’s targetting the Giro d’Italia in Could.
“It may go both manner. I believe that at Catalunya it will likely be Cian and I. He’s in actually good condition going into the Giro and we simply have to determine the way it goes. We’re not going there as absolutely the favourites however we will each attempt for it. Then on the Tour I’ll assist out Jonas, I received’t lose time on function however I’ll assist him out after which we’ll see for the Vuelta,” he stated.
For extra rider interviews and race updates, go to our racing news web page.
[ad_2]