Teams & Riders Sepp Kuss is the next Sepp Kuss thread

[IndianCyclist]

At this point he has been the best mountain domestique over the last 5 years

 

[Red Lobster]

Sepp Kuss is worth his weight in gold (actually a bit more, since he isn't that heavy). And this is what he likes to do, he doesn't want to be a team leader. He nearly always delivers on the big days, and the other days he's just happily cruising along. I don't think I've ever seen such a perfect mountain domestique.

Agreed and I respect that he has found a niche in which he thrives (and is surely paid well). That said, while I would not like to see Kuss take on GC leadership, it would be exciting to see him free of team responsibilities and ride for stage wins - I believe he would do pretty well in that role.

 

[Bolder]

I wonder what this man would’ve been like in the Sky Train.

Wout Poels?

 

[Juan Pelota]

Anyone else think Sepp would have a great shot at the podium if he could ride for himself?

 

[SHAD0W93]

Anyone else think Sepp would have a great shot at the podium if he could ride for himself?

If he can be consistent, yes.

 

[perico]

Anyone else think Sepp would have a great shot at the podium if he could ride for himself?

On a route like this years TDF, he could win if his form held over 3 weeks and he was mentally sharp the entire race.

Edit: that’s not to say he would win, just that on a course like this with him in this form for the entire 3 weeks, I wouldn’t be shocked if he did. I don’t think it will ever happen though and I don’t think he wants that kind of pressure

 

[Hugh Januss]

Anyone else think Sepp would have a great shot at the podium if he could ride for himself?

He really seems to prefer breaking peoples legs (and spirits) more than the pressure that comes with counting every second. The wide smile on his face as he drifts across the finish line at the back of the group of losers that he earlier pulled Vingegaard or Roglic clear of says it all.

 

[Nick2413]

Has he ever ridden any 1 week races for GC? He’s a phenomenal mountain domestique but has been MIA on important stages at times. His TT is also a liability even on route like this.

 

[SafeBet]

If he can be consistent, yes.

So the answer is no?

 

[SHAD0W93]

So the answer is no?

If you’re a glass half empty kinda guy, yes. But Geriant put it all together so you never know.

 

[Red Rick]

The question for Kuss is if he can get a low top 10 as a side effect of being the best climbing domestique in the business.

 

[DNP-Old]

Has he ever ridden any 1 week races for GC? He’s a phenomenal mountain domestique but has been MIA on important stages at times. His TT is also a liability even on route like this.

He has actually, more than once. This year in UAE, for instance. Kuss is just up there with being one of the biggest enigmas of his time. He could drop Pogacar today, and drop next to Jakobsen tomorrow, although his inconsistenties seem to have faded in recent years.

What does interest me though is how he always, always looks invincible when riding for himself, but then suddenly gets dropped. The man closed the gap to Yates and Remco on Jebel Hafeet while whistling his favourite song, five seconds later he gets passed by Bouchard.

 

[Red Rick]

Lol watching a replay amd he even tried to follow Hindley and Rodriguez but blew up

 

[Bolder]

The question for Kuss is if he can get a low top 10 as a side effect of being the best climbing domestique in the business.

Difficult. Yes, he can so long as he keeps pedaling after his escort duties are done. But he would also have to be in the leading group on mid mountain and ambush stages. The problem is any extra energy spent decreases his ability to go thermonuclear in the service of the team's leader. See your post above for an illustration of an unnecessary expenditure of energy...

 

[Potomac]

When he was riding for Roglic it seemed like he was allowed to attack and maybe get the stage win. I think they said Roglic wanted him to attack to shake things up.

Could Sep podium in a GT if he was the lead guy? Maybe a top ten but not a podium. Time trialing being a big factor.
I would LOVE it if he was given the chance, though.

 

[Red Rick]

Kuss was 33rd in the bunch sprint today, not losing any time.

May top 10 this. Or win after miracle breakaway

 

[Red Rick]

GC Kuss is still on. Instaed of riding and going down to 10 watts to avoid falling over, he just keeps dangling in the back of the TV image, coming back when nobody attacks.

 

[Bolder]

GC Kuss is still on. Instaed of riding and going down to 10 watts to avoid falling over, he just keeps dangling in the back of the TV image, coming back when nobody attacks.

That's his superpower. It's really quite interesting in that he doesn't actually ride himself into the ground as a domestique, but saves a little bit just in case...

 

[Red Rick]

That's his superpower. It's really quite interesting in that he doesn't actually ride himself into the ground as a domestique, but saves a little bit just in case...

Kuss can only do mega blow up if he goes for his own chances.

 

[Red Rick]

Kuss is apparently planning to do the Vuelta after this

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Adam Hansen used to do it, so why not?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Kuss is apparently planning to do the Vuelta after this

I'd been wondering about who they would send to be Roglic' man. I thought they'd send Valter or something.

 

[Lequack]

Best mountain helper since Froome?

 

[Red Rick]

Best mountain helper since Froome?

Froome only did it once.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Crazy if Kuss gets his first GT top 10 this year.