"He’s a fantastic individual, though he certainly has his own unique approach to matters," remarked Sepp Kuss about the surprising retirement announcement made by Simon Yates, a decision that aligns perfectly with Yates' character.
Sepp Kuss, who previously clinched victory at the Vuelta a España, expressed his sentiments regarding his former teammate Simon Yates from the Visma-Lease a Bike team. He noted that Yates’ sudden choice to retire was both shocking and entirely in line with what one would expect from him.
At the beginning of January, just prior to the team's media day, Yates, the 2025 Giro d'Italia champion, made headlines by declaring that he was stepping away from professional cycling immediately. This unexpected news took many by surprise, yet Kuss emphasized that it was not out of character for the 33-year-old British cyclist.
In a thorough discussion with the Spanish publication AS, Kuss, who is also a pivotal mountain rider for the squad, acknowledged that while Yates’ exit caught everyone off guard, it was still consistent with his personality traits.
Meanwhile, Kuss has his own ambitions, aiming to complete his set of stage wins in Grand Tours, with a particular focus on winning the Giro d'Italia outright alongside his teammate Jonas Vingegaard. The Tour de France and Vuelta a España are also on his radar as potential races to conquer.
In other reflections, Kuss praised his teammate Wout van Aert for his resilience after facing numerous challenges. "He always returns stronger, and he serves as a model for all cyclists," he stated. Additionally, Kuss acknowledged the formidable strength of their rivals, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and expressed admiration for Tadej Pogačar, whose performances he described as both intimidating and inspiring. "No matter where the race takes place, they always bring an exceptional talent to the forefront," he commented. Regarding Pogačar, Kuss shared, "You experience a whirlwind of emotions. These are the athletes continuously striving for improvement, which can be daunting yet also invigorating."
Considering his chances of replicating his overall success at the Vuelta, Kuss remarked that it is indeed "possible," but he cautioned that each passing year presents tougher competition, as rival teams continue to enhance their capabilities. "It heavily relies on circumstances; we must maintain our belief and seize opportunities as they arise," he added.
Under contract until the end of 2027, Kuss was queried about the possibility of leaving his longtime professional team to take on a leadership role elsewhere. He shared that he performs best when expectations and pressures are not overwhelming. "I’ve sensed interest from other teams at times," the 31-year-old explained, "but considering my style as a rider and as a person, I believe I can secure a Grand Tour victory without being the main leader. In fact, my success in Spain proved just that, as I won without being in the limelight."
Alasdair Fotheringham, a seasoned cycling journalist since 1991, has provided coverage for every Tour de France since 1992, with a few exceptions, as well as a variety of other cycling events, including the Olympic Games in 2008 and the now-defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. Alongside his work for Cyclingnews, he has contributed articles to prominent outlets such as The Independent, The Guardian, ProCycling, The Express, and Reuters.
