Sepp Kuss is most likely happy in Jumbo-Visma. Nevertheless, following his win at the Vuelta a Espana, he's asked about his personal ambitions and possible move out of the Dutch team, which he does not discard.
"No not at all. I understand that it might have been strange from the outside. No other team competed more for the podium places," Kuss told De Telefraaf regarding the situation that developed at the Vuelta a Espana, where he briefly had to defend himself against his teammates in the mountains. "In some situations, Jonas and Primoz have put aside their competitive desires," he assured, as from stage 18 onward the decision was taken.
Kuss was the only rider to race only at World Tour level in 2023 and was one of the very few who raced all three Grand Tours. Not only that but he played a key role in all of them and headlined the final one - a more spectacular season could not have been predicted.
Hence he's shown his capacity to win a Grand Tour and be an even more important piece for Jumbo-Visma. He's asked about a possible ambition to win the Tour de France but "that's not something I'm personally concerned with. I have not forgotten his (Jonas Vingegaard's, ed.) gesture. I want to help him win the Tour again and I can also maintain my place in the rankings."
Primoz Roglic left the team after the Vuelta after it being made clear that he did not have the freedom he desired, and that wouldn't happen at next year's Tour. Kuss has certainly been contacted by other teams who may try to take advantage of that particular situation in the Dutch team.
"To win the Tour I would simply have to cycle in the best team in the world," Kuss argues however. "I'm going to take a look at it quietly. There are other options where I could have more freedom. At the same time, what I have at Jumbo-Visma is unique. I can go for my own opportunities and play the role of domestique at other times. I get satisfaction from both roles."
.@seppkuss completed all the three Grand Tours at high level this year. Took 50 days to calc 1st / 24 major climbs. Will get this done in coming days. Trying to use realistic CdA based on % of pace-making / drafting. Would assume data points will go pretty smoothly along curve.
