Jumbo-Visma harnesses the 'mojo' of superman Kuss: "Sepp doesn't need to pretend, his aura speaks for itself"

Kuss has been a part of Jumbo-Visma since 2018, and at that time, many believed he would develop into a strong GC rider. In his debut season with the Dutch team, he secured victory in three stages and the overall classification of the Tour of Utah. A year later, he claimed a stage win in the Vuelta, his first major tour, which Roglic ultimately won. However, over the subsequent years, Kuss gradually settled into his current role: that of a valuable climbing specialist, primarily focused on the grand tours.

Since 2019, he has consistently participated in two grand tours, and this year he's even tackling three. This isn't surprising, as Jumbo-Visma has enjoyed a series of victories: after Roglic's triumph in the 2019 Vuelta, the team secured wins in the Tour of Spain with Roglic in 2020 and 2021, and the Slovakian rider also clinched the Giro this year. Additionally, Vingegaard claimed top honors at the Tour de France in both 2022 and 2023. Kuss has been an essential component in all these triumphs.

Thus, Roglic's humorous remark during the press conference was essentially a statement of fact: having Kuss in the lineup equates to a grand tour victory. "Sepp is one of the world's best climbers. He holds immense importance for us. If you scrutinize the statistics, you'll notice that Sepp has been a part of all the grand tours we've won," affirmed Vingegaard, who was seated beside Roglic. Now that both Vingegaard and Roglic are contending in Spain, Kuss takes on a pivotal role.

In a conversation with IDLProCycling.com, performance coach Matheij Heijboer - also responsible for the team's lap strategy - elaborated on why Kuss plays such a pivotal role in their grand tour efforts. "Sepp often emerges as a decisive force uphill. He can push himself so hard that only the strongest riders can keep up. In that regard, his reliability is unparalleled, and finding a rider with those qualities in the peloton is a rare find. Most riders with such abilities want to win every race and demand everything."

The significant distinction lies in Kuss's approach; he doesn't harbor such aspirations. As Dylan van Baarle put it to this website, "He's the only one who willingly sits in the service role." Heijboer underlines that this is a collective decision. "Sepp feels incredibly content in the role he plays, which involves supporting our leaders without harboring personal ambitions. This selflessness sets him apart as a unique rider and a truly indispensable asset within our roster."

However, finding more individuals in the world who willingly set aside their personal chances for a leader is not uncommon. In Kuss's case, it's distinct, as Heijboer explains. "To be honest, there are only about five riders like Sepp globally, and typically four of those five are in leadership roles. In that regard, he's an extraordinarily unique cyclist, and we truly grant him the freedom to detach from the team's obligations in stages where he doesn't need to fulfill a role. It's about safely navigating those stages, avoiding stress, and conserving energy for the crucial moments. He demonstrated this approach in the Giro and Tour, and hopefully he'll do the same in the Vuelta."

Beyond his on-bike performance, Kuss also plays an integral role "in the dressing room." "He brings a sense of tranquility to the team; he's genuinely composed and easygoing," Van Baarle noted. Attila Valter, riding alongside Kuss for the first time in the Vuelta, was quickly impressed during their initial days together. "He brings a sense of joy. Sepp always has a smile on his face, and while I strive for the same, it can be challenging. Not for Sepp – he's authentically himself. If you're feeling a bit down, Sepp is there to uplift your spirits. His positive energy benefits the team, and even though I haven't raced with him much, in the short time we've spent together, you can sense that he's an exceptional person. He's the ultimate team player, and I'm glad he's getting recognition for his accomplishments this year. In this Vuelta, he's bound to deliver something remarkable once again."