«Winning the Return – says Kuss, a 29-year-old American – it was a truly special experience, especially when I think about what it meant to me as a rider. Otherwise, I don't think it's changed me much as a person. Of course, when you're successful in sports, you always expect more or focus more. But in a way, that makes things more difficult. On the one hand it's nice to have recognition, but it's always about finding a balance».
Tomorrow Lisbon will host the start of the Vuelta and the outgoing winner He reappeared after a long period of silence at altitude and the victory at the Vuelta a Burgos which gave him a lot of morale. Last year Sepp Kuss was a jovial and generous teammate, capable of interviews of boundless humanity. He accompanied Roglic wins the Giro and immediately after Vingegaard in the third yellow jersey. And when everyone was surprised why he would go also at the Vuelta, he won the Vuelta, moving on to the dimension of the winner of a Grand Tour. All right, the victory may have been left to him by his two illustrious companions, but he was among those who took part in the flight to the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre which allowed him to conquer the record. and in the end the red shirt hanging ideally on the fireplace remains a richly deserved trophy.
Have you ever been to Lisbon?
We had been there on vacation, but this will not be a vacation. It was really nice and in some way it will be nice this time too, because the first three stages will be perfect for getting into the thick of the race. A relatively short time trial (12 kilometers, ed.) and then some easier stages will set the pace and establish a first order in the standings.
Last year at the start you said that the two favourites would be Roglic and Vingegaard: what will it be like now that they're not there?
Primoz will be there, but with another shirt (he smiles thoughtfully, ed.). Last year was a unique circumstance. Being the leaders of the team, surely at the beginning everyone looked at them and I managed to get into that breakaway which turned out to be very decisiveThis year without them will be different. I don't mean there's more pressure, but There is no one else who can help me and I can't count on two of the best stage racers in the world.This will give the ride another feel.
You won the Vuelta a Burgos. Does that mean you're in the shape you hoped for?
Yes, I think my shape is pretty good. I was surprised to go so strong in Burgos, but it's nice when things go well unexpectedly.I hadn't raced in two months, since the Dauphiné. I hadn't won since last year's Vuelta, so that victory definitely gave me a good mental boost. In any case, a Grand Tour is always different. The most important thing is that I feel quite fresh for this VueltaAt this point in the season, the important thing is to be strong and recover well.
In any case, you won in environmental conditions similar to those found in the Vuelta.
I'm very happy about this. When I won in Lagunas de Neila it was a tough day, especially because of the heatI struggled a lot on the final climb, but I wanted to give it a try at least once. When I saw I had a lead, I gave it my all. I'm happy it worked out, and I want to thank my teammates for all their work.
You don't consider yourself the favorite, but how does it feel to start with the number one spot?
Really good. It's an honor to be here again as the defending winner. and I want to do my best to honor that fact, with all that that entails. In short (smiles, ed.), I can't wait. I always enjoy racing the Vuelta. I live in Andorra, so I feel a little Spanish myself. The people along the route are really nice; they chant my name and make me feel appreciated. This is one of the reasons I'm really excited to race the Vuelta. And doing so as the defending champion will be another source of pride.
There's a lot of public skepticism about riders still being sidelined by Covid. Can you tell us why you were forced to skip the Tour because of this?
It was actually really weird. The other times I've got CovidIt was never a problem. Just a few days of discomfort, and then I was able to continue with my life. This time, however, it took me a long time, even just to recover the best efficiency of my lungsI was incredibly fatigued for several weeks, so at that point I couldn't even imagine starting the Tour de France. Luckily, in the end IAll the complications passed and the moment finally came when everything started working again.. And now I feel normal.
Was it difficult to stay focused on the season?
I can certainly say that Skipping the Tour was very disappointing for me, but I wasn't in the right frame of mind or body to think about it as a real possibility.I had to take a lot of antibiotics and that really got me down, so once I got used to having to stay still, I started focusing on what I could do next. And the Vuelta was clearly the main possibility.
Returning to the Vuelta, the UAE Emirates and Red Bull-Bora have very strong teams, do you think you can keep up with them?
True, they have super strong teams, though I think the Vuelta is a different race from the Giro and especially from the Tour. Obviously the team is useful, I don't want to say the opposite, but here there are often final climbs so steep that strategies take a back seat and everything comes down to a comparison between those who have legs and those who don'tBut it's also true that there are many stages where it can be complicated if those very strong teams have more riders available during the key moments of the race. There are always situations where things can be a little less controlled. So, in short, all this means that There will be more riders to keep an eye on and you will have to be smart and strong at the right times.
With Portugal starting, how do you see the balance at home? UAE EmiratesWill Almeida be one of the favourites?
I think so. He's a strong rider in every race he takes part in. At the Tour de France he was super strong alongside PogacarAnd I think that this year at the Vuelta, precisely because it starts here in Portugal, he'll have extra motivation. So I don't know how their team is organized, but I think Joao will be a big favorite.
What's your relationship with Roglic like and what will it be like racing against him?
We have a good relationship. Of course, we are opponents now and I think that whatever race he enters, Primoz is always a great rival and one of the main favoritesSo I'm sure everyone will look up to him. I admit, especially at the beginning, it'll be strange. When you're used to being on the same team with someone for so long (the two were teammates from 2018 to 2023, ed.), finding him as an opponent will not be immediate.
Many use the Vuelta as preparation for the World Championships, which will be tough: do you think it will be the same for you?
I would say no. My wife is due to give birth in those days. and I think it's best for me to be at home.
You mentioned some really tough climbs. Do you see any in particular?
I think that il Black Cuito, arrival of the fifteenth stage, is the most fearsome. But also il White Picon It's really hard, exposed and very steepAnd above all, it will be the arrival of the twentieth stage, we will all be very tired.
The start with a time trial
He doesn't say more. Partly because if you're born a gregarious character, you struggle to act like a star. And partly because Kuss has long understood that leaving the burden of the race to others is the best way to take advantage of any potential lapses. and insert itself like the small wedge that with two right blows splits even the largest trunk.
It starts tomorrow in Lisbon, with The first rider will start at 16,23pm from Praca do Imperio and will arrive in Oeiras after 12 kilometres.Coastal road, a couple of dips and possibly the risk of wind. Visma-Lease a Bike they don't say it, but They aim high with Wout Van Aert, bronze in ParisWith the threat of Tarling wanting to make amends for the puncture and the Olympic disappointment.
