'You have to be humble in the Giro' - Sepp Kuss not taking 'plan B' role for Jonas Vingegaard in Giro d'Italia

Sepp Kuss is set to play a pivotal support role for Jonas Vingegaard and the Visma-Lease a Bike team during the upcoming Giro d’Italia, particularly in the decisive mountain stages. Despite his extensive experience in Grand Tours, including a 2023 Vuelta a España win, Kuss admits the Giro remains somewhat unfamiliar territory, having only competed in the race twice before. He emphasises the unpredictable nature of the Giro, recalling how early race leaders can falter due to illness or changing conditions, and stresses the importance of humility and readiness throughout the three-week event. Kuss and Vingegaard have prepared well for the Giro, completing altitude training on Mount Teide, with both riders coming off strong performances at the Volta a Catalunya. While Kuss acknowledges his limited knowledge of Italian climbs, he is eager to learn and adapt, recognising the race’s unique challenges compared to the Tour de France. He highlights the Giro’s less intense external pressure but notes its unpredictability makes it a more complex challenge, especially given the varied terrain and the timing of key mountain stages. The team’s strategy is clear: Vingegaard is the undisputed leader, with Kuss firmly in a supporting role rather than a “Plan B” option. Kuss points out that having a top contender like Vingegaard brings added responsibility but also elevates the team’s performance. He also reflects on the race’s course layout, noting that early opportunities to gain time exist without the need to conserve energy excessively, although the third week will inevitably be demanding. Kuss identifies stage 7’s Blockhaus climb as a crucial moment for general classification contenders, describing it as a long and challenging ascent that could create significant gaps. He anticipates aggressive racing on this summit finish, with fresh legs among the riders making early moves. While Kuss’s primary focus remains on supporting Vingegaard, he has not dismissed his personal ambition to win a Giro stage, which would complete his collection of Grand Tour mountain stage victories, though he remains pragmatic about this goal given the team’s priorities.