Teams & Riders Sepp Kuss is the next Sepp Kuss thread

[Rob5091]

Kuss got in some gravel racing which is good for him (as gravel is on the menu at the Tour - mmm, crunchy!) but what about Vingegaard? Are Visma going to recon stage 9 during the Spring with Vingegaard?

 

[tobydawq]

“Everyone has to look for a headline but people who just read a headline, they think that I’m being…that I don’t have my head on my shoulders,” he suggested.

“But then if I say that I just want to help then people say I don’t have ambition... but if I say I want to try for myself then people say I only won the Vuelta because of a race situation.

"That’s true, but I also have to shoot for something myself. It’s just a matter of if you’re good or not, then it’s less complicated than it’s made out to be. But I’ve no illusions of things that I’m not capable of.”

I think he makes a lot of sense with this.

 

[Cassirer]

“Everyone has to look for a headline but people who just read a headline, they think that I’m being…that I don’t have my head on my shoulders,” he suggested.

“But then if I say that I just want to help then people say I don’t have ambition... but if I say I want to try for myself then people say I only won the Vuelta because of a race situation.

"That’s true, but I also have to shoot for something myself. It’s just a matter of if you’re good or not, then it’s less complicated than it’s made out to be. But I’ve no illusions of things that I’m not capable of.”

I think he makes a lot of sense with this.

Yeah, kinda, although I don't like this "if I do that people say this if I do this people say that". Yes, different people say different things, sometimes the same people say different things. You're a star so people will have opinions about what you do and those opinions will differ, nothing to see here.

 

[tobydawq]

Yeah, kinda, although I don't like this "if I do that people say this if I do this people say that". Yes, different people say different things, sometimes the same people say different things. You're a star so people will have opinions about what you do and those opinions will differ, nothing to see here.

I do actually like that. I think he does realise it's not the same people, but I still think it's fair to put into words that he cannot do anything right. Him being a star or not. He is still a person.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I do actually like that. I think he does realise it's not the same people, but I still think it's fair to put into words that he cannot do anything right. Him being a star or not. He is still a person.

And it doesn't sound like he's going to use it as an excuse to stop talking to the media from now on.

 

[Bolder]

That someone would have to be Visma, since he just signed a contract extension. I think everyone knows Kuss should be capable of a top-5 in the Tour, I'm not sure that would really increase his market value.

As for winning the whole thing, well, a lot of stars would have to align for that to happen. It's not impossible, but in the Tour you're not likely to get a situation like in the Vuelta, where Quickstep just weren't strong enough to prevent Kuss from getting in the break with a few strong teammates. And then he'd have to win purely on his own strength.

I think he should stay with Visma, but we know that contracts can be broken for the right price.

I don't think think he's a Tour winner so long as Vingegaard, Pogacar and Roglic are in form, but I'm not sure he isn't significantly better than Remco in the high mountains.

I just have no idea where he stands, all things being equal, in relation to the tier 2 contenders like Almeida, Vlasov, Yates, Mas, Carapaz; and a lot of the up and comers like Rodriguez, Ayusoand Cian are still unproven in the Tour. A year ago I would have said Kuss is not remotely a GC hopeful at all, so part of the fun this year is seeing what his upside could be...

 

[Extinction]

That is usually true, except he was expected and succeeded in dropping everyone; then comfortably riding up to his "leader's" wheel to maintain protection day after day. He undoubtedly discovered all of this breaking point thresholds and established new levels. Performing that way he knows his recovery as well as any of the top contenders.
The problem is always maintaining position during interstitial stages that aren't supposed to be that important where he can't lag back out of harm's way. He'd have to be in the kill zone that takes out the occasional contender.
He seems to be able to stay in the right place on fast finishes when he's not expected to be there so he may have some surprises for those that want to pigeonhole his skills as purely domestique. You don't rider US crits or kermesses without learning pack placement.
Having said all of that it's still optimistic speculation. The added media and pack pressure are another thing altogether. He's genial, approachable after his Vuelta. If you want to win a GT those fan demands take time and become less fun when you're really tired. Like every day tired.

There is theory and there is practice. Let's see.

 

[theyoungest]

Yeah, kinda, although I don't like this "if I do that people say this if I do this people say that". Yes, different people say different things, sometimes the same people say different things. You're a star so people will have opinions about what you do and those opinions will differ, nothing to see here.

I don't think he's complaining, but if what he's saying is being misrepresented in an article, he's allowed to correct that, isn't he? Being a public figure doesn't mean everyone can just write whatever they like and say you said it.

 

[Oldermanish]

There is theory and there is practice. Let's see.

A theory would have even a little quantifying data. That's why it's just optimistic speculation if you are a boostery Sepp Kuss fan. Every rider plan this season will have a "Let's see" qualifier with fields fairly well stacked. Lot's to look forward to.

 

[Extinction]

I think he should stay with Visma, but we know that contracts can be broken for the right price.

I don't think think he's a Tour winner so long as Vingegaard, Pogacar and Roglic are in form, but I'm not sure he isn't significantly better than Remco in the high mountains.

I just have no idea where he stands, all things being equal, in relation to the tier 2 contenders like Almeida, Vlasov, Yates, Mas, Carapaz; and a lot of the up and comers like Rodriguez, Ayusoand Cian are still unproven in the Tour. A year ago I would have said Kuss is not remotely a GC hopeful at all, so part of the fun this year is seeing what his upside could be...

As long as he is with Vingegaard, Kuss won't face top tier competition head-on as leader in a primary GT unless at this Giro, but they are not sending him.

 

[Cassirer]

I don't think he's complaining, but if what he's saying is being misrepresented in an article, he's allowed to correct that, isn't he? Being a public figure doesn't mean everyone can just write whatever they like and say you said it.

Of course he is and he's also certainly not wrong about being in some kind of catch 22. Maybe I'm just a tad allergic to public figures complaining that the public dissects what they do. Speculating if a helper turned GT winner might keep his head on his shoulders or be too amibitio(us/nless) is to be expected and so is reporters turning that into overdramatic headlines.
What Sepp said might however be more explaining his conundrum than complaining about it, I admit.

 

[jmdirt]

Sepp is motivated and fit!

 

[Red Rick]

Think it's clear Kuss actually prepared to be good in races before his first GT this year.

 

[CyclistAbi]

It kind of makes sense as it's not really about choice any more. Sepp is now a leader at Visma and it's expected from him to do good at racing.

 

[ManicJack]

It kind of makes sense as it's not really about choice any more. Sepp is now a leader at Visma and it's expected from him to do good at racing.

As a youngster he had the "killer attitude" of a prolific winner, whether it was MTB, Nordic skiing or road racing. Hope to see it return.

 

[Unchained]

Sepp is motivated and fit!

He rode excellent, and as a team they really kept it together, Wout rolled along and didn't get shelled. And 2 days in the race is almost over w second group ( Isaac Del Toro) carrying bags of concrete up the hill, lost 6+ minutes.. And TT skills are going to make another harsh selection.. Hope Kuss can keep it close, Remco is probably seeing red meat right now..

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

He rode excellent, and as a team they really kept it together, Wout rolled along and didn't get shelled. And 2 days in the race is almost over w second group ( Isaac Del Toro) carrying bags of concrete up the hill, lost 6+ minutes.. And TT skills are going to make another harsh selection.. Hope Kuss can keep it close, Remco is probably seeing red meat right now..

Were people expecting him to win here or something? Algarve has two stages where the best can take 10-20 seconds at most on their closest rivals. Then there is a TT where the best will take 1-2 minutes on lesser TT riders. If Kuss ends up on the podium, he'll have done an amazing job. With Küng, Van Aert, Ganna losing more time today, he actually has a shot. Especially if he can build on his Vuelta TT.

 

[theyoungest]

I wondered why he was so good this early in the season, like what's the point, but now I see he's going to race Strade. With his current form he should be a contender.

 

[Extinction]

I wondered why he was so good this early in the season, like what's the point, but now I see he's going to race Strade. With his current form he should be a contender.

I think it's because Kuss wants to approach things as a leader, not mearly a domestique deluxe.

 

[theyoungest]

I think it's because Kuss wants to approach things as a leader, not mearly a domestique deluxe.

Yeah, but even as a leader there didn't seem too much for him to aim for... other than Strade, which wasn't mentioned to be on his program.

 

[Extinction]

Yeah, but even as a leader there didn't seem too much for him to aim for... other than Strade, which wasn't mentioned to be on his program.

It's just about assuming the weight of leadership, which is new territory for him that needs work. So this is the work. In this sense the race does not matter.

 

[Unchained]

Were people expecting him to win here or something? Algarve has two stages where the best can take 10-20 seconds at most on their closest rivals. Then there is a TT where the best will take 1-2 minutes on lesser TT riders. If Kuss ends up on the podium, he'll have done an amazing job. With Küng, Van Aert, Ganna losing more time today, he actually has a shot. Especially if he can build on his Vuelta TT.

You would have to assume that Kuss has dedicated time to improving his TT, and also logical assumption that he has made a few statements to taking on more of a leadership role and that has an improved TT component. Wout and Ganna are quirky, because in my opinion something longer than 4 or 5 days w moderate climbing is outside their skill set up to now. Kung has always been a all around quality rider, like everything about him. I think Kuss is just getting quality race days and don't think that shorter stage races are a strong suit so far, he is riding excellent and nothing that special, but skinny people getting an ST in balls to the wall sprints impresses me personally. I watched today a little and noticed that some of the conti teams were getting gapped few kilometers from the finish when speeds started to wick up. Kuss is not in the lead out obviously but he holds his own for a climbing toothpick

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

You would have to assume that Kuss has dedicated time to improving his TT, and also logical assumption that he has made a few statements to taking on more of a leadership role and that has an improved TT component. Wout and Ganna are quirky, because in my opinion something longer than 4 or 5 days w moderate climbing is outside their skill set up to now. Kung has always been a all around quality rider, like everything about him. I think Kuss is just getting quality race days and don't think that shorter stage races are a strong suit so far, he is riding excellent and nothing that special, but skinny people getting an ST in balls to the wall sprints impresses me personally. I watched today a little and noticed that some of the conti teams were getting gapped few kilometers from the finish when speeds started to wick up. Kuss is not in the lead out obviously but he holds his own for a climbing toothpick

Van Aert finished second behind Pogacar in the '21 Tirreno, ahead of actual GC/climbers. So he is well capable of winning something like Algarve, if he actually went for it.

 

[Cookster15]

Wout and Ganna are quirky, because in my opinion something longer than 4 or 5 days w moderate climbing is outside their skill set up to now.

Moderate climbing? You didn't see WvA's climbing in the 2020 and 2021 TdFs? It was when Wout was driving the GC group on Grand Colombier that Bernal was dropped. In 2021 Wout won the double ascent of Ventoux stage. Wout reminds me of Fabian Chancellara when he won the 2009 Tour de Swiss when he was 28. Wout is 29.

 

[Unchained]

Van Aert finished second behind Pogacar in the '21 Tirreno, ahead of actual GC/climbers. So he is well capable of winning something like Algarve, if he actually went for it.

Yes, Wout has never finished top 10 in any multi week race...not saying he won't, just saying when I think Alps he does not immediately come to mind..He may indeed win Algarve. He is not a contender for any grand tour any time soon.. In my opinion.