Sepp Kuss: I like the Grand Tours, but I have a lot to work on to become a contender
The US rider has proven himself as one of the best climbers in the world, but could he be a GC leader?


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Sepp Kuss emerged from 2020 as one of the star support riders currently racing at the highest level.
After a breakthrough season in 2019, when he won his first Grand Tour stage at the Vuelta a España and helped Primož Roglič to overall victory, Kuss became an even more vital cog in the Jumbo-Visma machine last season.
The US rider lined up in all of the team’s major targets for the year - the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España - and proved himself to be one of the strongest climbers on all three races.
Kuss’ performances in 2020 raised the inevitable question of general classification leadership, and whether the 26-year-old will one day be a Grand Tour contender himself.
Speaking from the recent Jumbo-Visma training camp in Spain Kuss, from Colorado, said: “Obviously, I like the Grand Tours but if I'm realistic, I still have a lot to work on to be able to contend for the Grand Tours.
“I think it's step-by-step and see how things go in week-long races and see if I enjoy that, that kind of mindset or pressure in those races.”
Kuss, who joined Jumbo in 2018 after starting his career with Rally Cycling in the US, consistently featured in summit finals during the Tour de France and was a regular top-10 stage finisher in the Vuelta last year, finishing 15th and 16th respectively in the two Grand Tours.
He also added a stage victory from the Critérium du Dauphiné to his palmarès in 2020.
On his development as a rider since joining the Dutch WorldTour team, Kuss said: “In a lot of ways, I feel different. I think I've obviously learned a lot.
“But through that I've gotten more confidence in myself and just the confidence that knowing that I can be there with some of the best riders a lot of the time - that's something I never really envisioned when I started.
“I'm still figuring out what kind of rider I am. But for me, it's also exciting because I never had any predisposed idea, at least when I started my career, of what I wanted to do in this sport.
“I've definitely matured a lot along the way.”
Kuss hopes to race the Volta a Catalunya as leader, before returning to domestique duties at the Tour and the Vuelta.
>>> Tour de France broadcaster NBC Sports shutting down at the end of the year
On spending the winter in Europe for the first time, Kuss said: “Every year I'm more comfortable living in Europe.
“I spent the winter with my girlfriend and her family, so I still had that family aspect but of course I miss my parents and my friends back home.
“I think they also understand that more and more my life is based in Europe and that's also a part of being a professional cyclist.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Jumbo-Visma's Nathan Van Hooydonck retires from cycling due to heart problems
The Belgian left hospital on Wednesday after being involved in a car crash last week
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ask a cycling coach: ‘Why is cycling bad for bone density?’
We delve into the health downsides of picking a ‘non-weight bearing’ sport
By Alex Welburn Published
-
Jumbo-Visma's Nathan Van Hooydonck retires from cycling due to heart problems
The Belgian left hospital on Wednesday after being involved in a car crash last week
By Adam Becket Published
-
How much did Sepp Kuss and Jumbo-Visma win at the Vuelta a España 2023?
Turns out locking out the podium for much of the race gets you quite a few Euros
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard: 'I am 100% sure that myself, Sepp Kuss and Primož Roglič are not taking anything'
Jumbo-Visma will become the first team to win all three of cycling's Grand Tours in the same season
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Could Primož Roglič really leave Jumbo-Visma?
Rumours have been building that the Slovenian could be depart the Grand Tour conquerors
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Jumbo-Visma rebuffs motor doping accusations at Vuelta a España
Dutch squad say it is just focusing on winning the race, not "delusions"
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘It will be a matter of legs’ - Wout van Aert in confident mindset ahead of Tour of Britain finale
Belgian says attack was the best form of defence for Jumbo-Visma after race explodes in Gloucestershire
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert leaves Tour de France, with wife Sarah due to give birth 'imminently'
Jumbo-Visma rider says that decision to head home, with four stages still to come, is not a dilemma
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Without bad luck, we will win the Tour de France': Jonas Vingegaard and Jumbo-Visma prepare for victory
A dominant performance on Wednesday's stage 17 left Jonas Vingegaard seven minutes in front of his nearest rival
By Adam Becket Published