“My biggest aspiration is to participate in the Vuelta as the current champion,” Kuss stated during an homage in his hometown, Durango, to Escape Collective when asked about his goals for the upcoming season. “Furthermore, I aim to compete in the Tour and give my best performance, whether as a leader or in support of Jonas Vingegaard.”
“If the Tour route isn’t ideal for my style, I’d be content to act as a domestique,” added the American cyclist. “But we’ll see what the route is like (the Tour de France 2024 route will be revealed this Wednesday), maybe it’s something I can handle. I mean this as a leader? Yes, why not?” He further emphasized that Jonas Vingegaard is at the forefront of the situation and that he should primarily be seen as an alternative in that scenario.
The victory in the 2023 Vuelta gave Kuss a lot of confidence, he said. “Now I know I’m capable of winning a Grand Tour,” the American stated. “That gives me a lot of confidence. I know I can push my body and mind to a level where I can handle the pressure for three weeks.”
Roglic’s departure was better for everyone
In a conversation with Escape Collective, Kuss also discussed Primoz Roglic’s departure to BORA-hansgrohe. He stated that the change is “better for everyone.” “He can now go to a team where he feels welcome and where everyone supports him,” said Kuss, who revealed that he learned a lot from Roglic. “Not so much because he taught me things directly, but by the way he developed as a cyclist and what he learned on his own. If your leader makes a mistake, and you see him correct that mistake in the next race, you also learn from it.”