Flashscore: You’re American, but you have a strong connection to Spain. How have you felt during this training camp that Visma | Lease a Bike has held in the province of Alicante, in La Nucia?
Kuss: "I’m feeling good. We’re just getting started, and there are still two weeks of training left with the team, but it’s always nice to be with the group and get to know the new riders. As the season is about to begin, everything feels positive. I’m looking forward to seeing how the new riders do and how they’re settling into the team. And also to seeing the slightly different goals we have as a team, especially in the Grand Tours, in my case."
What are your goals for 2026?
"The Grand Tours. The plan is to support Jonas (Vingegaard) as much as possible there, first at the Giro, and then we’ll see. After racing in Italy, we’ll decide whether I do the Tour or take part in the Vuelta."
If you decide to come to the Vuelta, what would need to happen for a repeat of what happened in 2023?
"Well, I only have good memories from that year. I felt good on every stage, I was able to recover between days and I think that’s the most important thing. Staying healthy in every race and recovering well. And yes, it’s about enjoying it, enjoying every stage to get the most out of yourself and arriving the next day feeling pretty fresh."
Do you think this year the Vuelta will return to normal after the 2025 edition, which was marked by numerous off-the-bike incidents that hurt cycling?
"Yes, I hope so. Because in the end, what happened at the Vuelta was that we were just pieces in a political game. It was sad to see the Vuelta affected by that. Because in the end, nobody was talking about cycling, which was a shame. But I think this year things will go well, everything will be more or less normal, and we won’t have to worry about what happened last year."
Q: Do you dream of winning it a second time someday?
"Yes, definitely. I’d love to, but I know it’s very difficult. There are a lot of strong rivals, as always, and it’s a really tough route."
You come from a country like the United States, which doesn’t have - or at least didn’t have - a big cycling tradition apart from Lance Armstrong and, back in the day, Andrew Hampsten. How did your passion for cycling begin?
"I’m from a town that’s pretty into cycling and mountain sports. So for me, all those kinds of sports were very accessible. I grew up doing a lot of mountain biking. But I didn’t get on a road bike until years later, when I went to university. But it’s true that over there, there isn’t the same culture as in Spain, where you watch the Tour de France or the Vuelta on TV every day. The culture isn’t the same, which makes it harder for Americans to have idols in this sport.
So, you didn’t have any road cycling role models as a kid?
"No, I followed some mountain bikers from my town, but that’s it. I wasn’t really into following a particular cyclist or having idols like Armstrong or any other rider."
Your Spanish is excellent. When did you first come into contact with our country?
"When I moved to Spain and started my professional career. That was in 2018, yes."
You won the Vuelta in 2023, a historic year for Visma as the Dutch team swept the entire podium (Vingegaard was second in Madrid and Roglic third) and also won all three Grand Tours (the Dane took the Tour and the Slovenian the Giro). What makes the Vuelta special and different from other races?
"For me, it’s the geography of Spain. The landscape means there are really interesting, challenging, and tough roads, and there are always lots of climbs and mountain areas. So in a Vuelta a Espana, you’re often riding through the mountains, and for me, as a climber, that’s a big plus.
"And also the fans - I think they’re really special. They have a lot of respect for the riders, they’re very close to us, and for me, that gives the Vuelta a special feeling and warmth. There’s always a great atmosphere, and that allows the riders to race in a very relaxed way, but still enjoy it at the same time."
