Can Sepp Kuss still save his Vuelta a España? Van Aert and Valter consider Yates-style scenario
Cycling
Defending champion Sepp Kuss (Visma | Lease a Bike) has been having a tough time in the 2024 edition of the Vuelta a España. The American lost time to his competitors in multiple stages and, as of the first rest day, was in 14th place in the general classification, 8 minutes and 16 seconds behind red jersey Ben O'Connor. Despite this, the Dutch team still has plenty of hope in this Vuelta, as indicated by the words of Kuss' teammates Wout van Aert and Attila Valter.
Speaking to Marca, Van Aert revealed some of Visma | Lease a Bike's plans. Securing the green jersey seems to be very important for the Dutch team. "I already have two stage wins, and the team is performing well. We’re still aiming for more victories, but I realize that the best chances were last week. The upcoming stages are difficult, so we’ll have to try to win a stage in other ways, like in a breakaway. I myself will try to secure the points jersey, and I hope for more."
However, the focus on the green jersey doesn't mean that the team has forgotten about Kuss' position in the general classification, as Van Aert's interview also reveals. "He (Sepp Kuss, ed.) has already lost time, but he’ll only be able to make up for it with a move like Adam Yates (who won after a long breakaway in stage 9, ed.). He is here for a good classification result, and we’re going to fight for that," promised the strong Belgian rider, originally from Herentals.
"Kuss will have to pull off a stunt like Yates"
The Hungarian champion Attila Valter, teammate of Van Aert and Kuss, was also asked about what this Vuelta still has to offer him and his team. "The goal is to help Van Aert secure the green points jersey and then help Kuss achieve a good general classification. He climbs well, but he will probably have to pull off a stunt like Yates or Carapaz to really get close. A top 10 is definitely within reach," the hopeful Hungarian cautiously looked ahead.
Read also
Il Lombardia 2024
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Can Decathlon AG2R's big budget strike back against the 'Big Four' this spring?
The world turned upside down: UAE's new prodigy wants to gain weight to become the Swiss Pogacar
Team DSM-firmenich PostNL women under review: A strong trident, but now slightly blunter
Red Bull spreads its wings further in cycling: Cancellara secures brand for Tudor Pro Cycling
Latest Cycling News
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Can Decathlon AG2R's big budget strike back against the 'Big Four' this spring?
The world turned upside down: UAE's new prodigy wants to gain weight to become the Swiss Pogacar
Team DSM-firmenich PostNL women under review: A strong trident, but now slightly blunter
Red Bull spreads its wings further in cycling: Cancellara secures brand for Tudor Pro Cycling
Popular Cycling News
🎥 Armstrong hits back at Jake Paul: "I’ve gotten so many questions about this little b*tch Jake Paul"
Meanwhile in the peloton | Beautiful footage of Visma training camp, Cavendish receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Cycling kits 2025: New sponsors, new colors for Picnic-PostNL, Jayco-AlUla, and UAE
Aerts calls himself a 'Neo-pro' and looks ahead to facing "those two rascals," Wout van Aert and Mathieu Van der Poel: "Not delusional to think I'll beat them"
Vingegaard will race in Paris-Nice, featuring team time trial on car racing circuit and tough final weekend
Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024