"Remco seems to be head and shoulders above the rest" - Sepp Kuss prepares to protect Primoz Roglic against tough rival at Giro d'Italia

Sepp Kuss has only raced the UAE Tour and Volta a Catalunya this year, as he looks to have a calm start ahead of the Grand Tour season. He's riding both Giro d'Italia and Tour de France this summer, and at the Corsa Rosa he will be Primoz Roglic's main domestique against Remco Evenepoel.

“Returning to the Giro is very exciting. When I learned from the team that they needed me, it was a bit unexpected at first," Kuss said in an interview with Velonews. "But, when you think about it, it's a unique opportunity to have a fantastic race, a very tough race, in which we have big ambitions. And after three years in which I have always done Tours and Vueltas, it's nice to change things".

The American has been a key helper within Jumbo-Visma for the last few years, cementing his spot away from leading the team, but proving a very important rider for the team's ambitions in the mountains. He's already been part of Roglic's team on several victories at the Vuelta a Espana, and here he should have a big role once again, specially in the final week.

“Showing up with Primož, we know we have a rider who will fight for the win, I think this will bring out the best in all of us who will be there to support him," he continued. "Especially when we know we will face a strong rider like Remco. Remco is a great rival. But there are always other riders who can surprise you. You can't exclude anyone. From the races he has done so far, Remco seems to be head and shoulders above the rest. For sure, he will be a great, great opponent."

Alongside him, Jan Tratnik and Tobias Foss should also be present. Wilco Kelderman was also initially planned to ride the Giro however his injuries meant the team needed another weapon, which provided an opportunity for Kuss. He's ridden it in the past in 2019, the last time Roglic was present in Italy and finished third in the overall classification.

“I already felt pretty good, but I hadn't yet done that hard training that I was going to do before the Tour. So now, with the Giro, I had to accelerate a bit training. I feel good, and it's motivating when you can go to a race and know you're well prepared. Mentally, I want to be able to go to a race and know I can give it my all.”

Kuss will likely race the Tour de France however that isn't set in stone, a presence in the Vuelta a Espana is also possible. "I always like doing the Vuelta, I always feel like I go good there. This year there is a lot of time between one Grand Tour and another. On paper, anything is possible. I just have to take one race at a time," he concluded.