"I would love to keep the red jersey and even win the race" - Sepp Kuss gets new motivation to defend Vuelta a Espana lead after time-trial

Sepp Kuss was not overly satisfied with yesterday's Vuelta a Espana time-trial, but it was just about the best scenario he could've hoped for. The American has lost less time than expected and maintains over a minute of lead over Remco Evenepoel, and has gotten new motivation to defend it.

“I have to believe in myself, I would love to keep the red jersey and even win the race and just trust my feelings and ride with my instincts. For me, the most important thing is we still have two really strong riders in Jonas and Primož," he said following his performance. Kuss and Primoz Roglic have both given quite open answers when it comes to the red jersey and leadership at Jumbo-Visma, but as the days pass it's evident that the 28-year old is a key part of their plan.

A plan that was unexpected. After benefiting from a breakaway on stage 6, Kuss continues to maintain a lead and despite being on his third Grand Tour of the year, he continues to ride at his best level. Not having to work for the team currently, it sees Jumbo-Visma with three leaders, but "I don't feel any pressure on my shoulders," he says. 

"I just feel a lot of positivity from the team, that they’re happy to see me in this moment, and that’s the most important thing at this point... I’m not a guy that needs to ask for so much. I just lay low and do my thing. For me, it works better that way. I just need to be more confident in myself and believe in myself more," he continues, now stating outright that he'd love to keep the red jersey, a goal more viable after sustaining small losses to the competition after a great time-trial performance - one in which, for example, he lost only 11 seconds to Jonas Vingegaard.

The gaps are not too big to Evenepoel, but Kuss maintains the lead and Jumbo-Visma have a lot of tactical leverage. Into the high mountain stages which are to begin soon, this will be very important as the team is expected to be vastly superior to Soudal - Quick-Step. "We have to play our cards with the three of us because Soudal may be a bit weak in the mountains. If we can isolate Remco, we can do something with that," Kuss knows.

"So much can happen in the mountains. In the first half of a Grand Tour, it's always a game of seconds. But then, in one stage, you can blow up. I feel really good, Primoz and Jonas are looking good as well, giving me a lot of help and helping boost my morale. In the team, our mood is really good.”