Realistically, why would anybody even dare attack unless it is with 1k to go and they think Jumbo will let them go?
- Jun 15, 2021
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Who is going to challenge him? Jumbo has won this race unless the entire team catches COVID. I suppose he could crack like Remco did today, but he looks really strong. Johan Bruneel said on his podcast yesterday that Sepp looks stronger now than he did in the Giro or TDF.
Obviously both Roglic and Vinegaard would like to win this race, but "allowing" Kuss to win this for all the work he has done for them in the past GCs is not unfathomable.
- Jun 22, 2009
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Podium. Totally realistic that one of the three will crack or at least have an off day. Even Vingegaard looked like he wasn't having fun the last couple of km today and who knows how he recovers.
- Aug 3, 2015
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GC Sepp was a meme until it wasn't.
Very worthy winner if he wins
Very worthy winner if he wins
He's in incredible form, and while you're correct he hasn't had to ride as designated leader for three weeks he certainly knows what it's like to be at the front late in a GT. He also has about as little pressure on him right now as it is possible to have for someone leading a GT late in the 2nd week; he knows even if he does collapse it's a virtual certainty a teammate will be there to back him up, and with two GT's already in his legs this year no one is going to blame him if he runs out of gas.
That said, he finished looking sharp, relaxed, and happy today and at the moment looks very far away from being in trouble.
GO SEPP!!!!!
- Jun 15, 2021
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If Kuss wins this race, do other teams go after him for their GC? I know he got his lead because QS had a brain fart and let a 40 person breakaway go up the road, but his TT was really impressive considering this might have been the first "flat" TT that he ever went full gas in. Furthermore, it sounds like he never trains the TT. I would assume he could make the most improvement of anyone with some coaching.
I always assumed that he couldn't do a full 3 week race (in large part because he never has tried) ... but what if he does it at this years Vuelta's? Then what? Go back to being a full time domestic again? What if someone comes in and doubles or even triples his salary (I have no idea what he is being paid right now).
I always assumed that he couldn't do a full 3 week race (in large part because he never has tried) ... but what if he does it at this years Vuelta's? Then what? Go back to being a full time domestic again? What if someone comes in and doubles or even triples his salary (I have no idea what he is being paid right now).
- Aug 3, 2015
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Real question is: Is @Libertine Seguros finally changing opinion on this hunk of a man?
I would be surprised if he went off to another team actually. I don't know him personally but I know people who do and it seems he is very happy with his role right now, though who knows how he might feel if he finishes the Vuelta flying? I have no idea what he's getting paid, I imagine straight salary with little to no bonus structure as it's not his job to win races, also imagine he'd be able to negotiate a decent bump from Jumbo if he does win this. He's also going to be 30 next year so might not be interested in a big change at this point in his career?
The fact is he's got it made right now; there are about 3 stages in every GT where he HAS to be there and he's very good at doing that, doesn't have the huge stress and pressure of being the designated leader and all the misery that potentially entails. I'm sure also it's not lost on him that there are many riders who left great teams for leadership roles and fell flat on their faces when they found they didn't have the same support structure, couldn't handle the pressure, etc etc. Fact is along with the big money comes a LOT of pressure.
If someone forced me to guess right now I'd bet all my money he'll stay put, but that's just me.
Edit: Just rereading this, perhaps the fact that he's nearing 30 might actually be the thing that encourages him to move if he's offered a big payday? Going in circles now..
- Feb 20, 2010
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Depends what you mean by that.
I still despise him, but the reasons for it are shifting.
I think that would require professional therapy and perhaps some form of shock treatment.
- Jun 7, 2011
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- Jun 15, 2021
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I know it was really high. It probably has less to do with his ability to win (ie if he had been another teams main GC rider) and more to do that no one thought he would win before Roglic and Vinegaard. Regardless, wish I had put a Benjamin Franklin on it.
He never trains the TT because when he does he gets worse. He has actually focused on his TT a few winters ago but the results were abysmal.
Kuss has more of these quite specific traits. In fact it took Jumbo some time to figure him out, in his first year he was really an enigma. I think this could be a reason for Kuss to stay at Jumbo. They know him and he knows them.
- Jul 7, 2013
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Awesome situation for Kuss. He confirmed today that he's very strong, is holding the red comfortably and now from the rest only his teammates look like possible GC winners.
He could have a change of heart and decide he wants to be a GC rider. Even if he hadn't been lucky to be in the break, he clearly has the condition to follow wheels into the top 5.
It always seemed that what held Kuss back was more mental than physical. It's as if he convinced himself that he couldn't do a good GC, even though plenty of others thought he could. Regardless of what happens in the next week, you can't tell me that he's not capable of getting a podium in a GT. Sure, he's been fortunate to be on the best team, but he's able to keep up with 2 of the best 3 GC riders on the hardest mountain stage of the year without even visibly suffering.
Maybe the best solution is for him to be a protected co-leader at Jumbo in the Giro, then mountain dom in the Tour. I have doubts about going to another team.
- Mar 13, 2009
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Looks like I had it right, Sepp Kuss really is the new Sepp Kuss
- Mar 13, 2009
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it is happening (is Pablo still here?)What a beast!! :surprised:
Sepp for the Vuelta please...
- Mar 11, 2009
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Mr. Kuss, There’s a Dave Brailsford holding on line 1…
- Jun 7, 2011
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100% agree and I think his team will do anything to make it happen. They know their success came with his 100% dedication and your note on low pressure counts alot. My guess is, if Roglic responds if/when Sepp was in trouble it would be after Sepp absolutely encouraged the response. Vingo is the only one given the first free pass to move up in GC and this status quo should prevail; hopefully to Madrid.
I've said Kuss could do it and been told he's "folded" under prior opportunities. He may this time because 3 GTs is what guys did in the 80's because they were paid by the race. Marino Lajaretta did 27 GTs in 12 years; winning none. It's uncharted territory, for sure and competition is much, much deeper.
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