Sepp Kuss does not intend on racing for yellow jersey at Tour de France: "In the Tour it is much more nervous"

Sepp Kuss has just ended a Vuelta a Espana that was psychologically hard, as by default he had to take the win over the two riders he was set to help out win the race. The title is now in his palmarès however, but he does not ambition to add a Tour de France title for the time being.

“That will be different. But above all, I should not impose too many expectations on myself and keep going, as I have always done in the past," Kuss told Wielerflits, telling the responsibilities of fighting for an overall classification. “Riding in a race where you can lose everything. Normally I have nothing to lose, because I focus on my work and want to do it well. From that point of view you have nothing to lose, but being focused every day and getting the most out of every stage is not easy mentally.”

More than being a great climber, being a Grand Tour specialist involves many more skills and focus. The American benefited from a Vuelta that was very well suited to the pure climbers, and managed to keep it together on the flat or hilly days where something could go out of Jumbo-Visma's control more easily.

“Before the Angliru we were not sure that we would be the three strongest riders in the race. Until that moment we mainly raced against the competition, but then there were three of us," he said of the day that perhaps marked the race the most, in terms of drama. "That surprised us all. You cannot plan that in advance, because we did not expect that situation. We therefore wanted clarity in this new situation."

“You can always have those aspirations. But I realize that the Vuelta is very different from the Tour," he clears out, pointing out that he does not intend on fighting for a yellow jersey at the time being. “Then I'm talking about the dynamics of the race. The Vuelta is the perfect race. In the Tour it is much more nervous."

"There the transition stages are harder and the climbs are less steep. So that race is really different for me. Normally yes, but I also like to be played as a joker. That is also motivating for me, to work for a leader in this way and also to be able to race. I have certainly not lost the pleasure of serving.”