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It would be a surprise. No, it would be a thrill. But it is possible. Will Sepp Kuss (28, USA) win the Vuelta? After a week and four mountain climbs, the American leads the general classification – ahead of all the top favorites. “I never thought. I enjoy it because it doesn’t happen every day,” he says.
Kuss has never even worn the leader’s jersey at a Grand Tour. That was never his goal. Despite his enormous climbing ability, he likes to be there for others. Hardly anyone in the pack enjoys the role of noble helper so much. Mother Sabina told the Durango Herald, the newspaper in his hometown of Colorado, “He likes companionship and doesn’t like just having to win.”
Kiss herself agrees. Although he works just as hard on himself as his Jumbo Visma teammates Primoz Roglic (33, Slo) and Jonas Vingegaard (26, Dä), he shies away from the pressure of having to deliver every day. This focus requires an extra portion of energy that not everyone has, Kuss once explained. He could also have said, “I don’t have them.” Kuss is the only driver to have participated in all Grand Tours (Giro, Tour and Vuelta) this year.
Kiss a little drunk
Now the wind has turned. Kuss, whose great-grandparents once immigrated to the United States from Slovenia, leads the Vuelta. He still hasn’t made up his mind. He recently treated himself on stage to a few hearty sips of cava. He thoroughly enjoyed the sparkling wine, “even though I was pretty drunk afterwards,” Kuss revealed with a laugh.
One thing is certain: the decision to put cycling on the map as a youngster was worth it for Kuss, who lives in Andorra with his girlfriend Noemi Ferré. In fact, he was destined for cross-country skiing – father Dolph was part of the US coaching team at the 1964 and 1972 Olympics and mother Sabina was a pro.
Bissegger: ‘It’s too early’
Despite his leadership, Kuss is still regarded as a Vuelta maverick. “I would like to keep the Maillot Rojo,” he says. To add right away: “It gets complicated.” The reason: his weakness in time trials. On Tuesday the fight against the clock is more than 25.8 flat kilometers. Thurgau’s Stefan Bissegger (24) wants to shine. About kissing he says: “Maybe he can win the tour. It’s too early to say that.”
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
