Varied. That is a good way to describe the stage schedule of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Hilly rides are interspersed with mountain stages, but the race also has a time trial and some flat stages. The last two races have an uphill finish. The penultimate stage leads to La Plagne, while the race ends on Sunday 6 June in the ski village of Les Gets.

For Kuss it will be his fourth participation in the Dauphiné. Since he became a professional cyclist in 2018, he has been at the start every year. This is also the case in 2021, where he hopes to show his climber’s legs. “I am really looking forward to the Dauphiné. We have just had a good altitude camp with the team. I felt very good there and I am looking forward to this race. In addition to being a preparation race for the Tour de France, the Critérium du Dauphiné is simply a very tough race. I hope to show myself again, because I have good memories of this race.”

Last year, Kuss managed to win the final stage. The American looks back on that with a good feeling. “That was a very nice victory. I am still proud of that. Also this year I am going for a good performance, but I also know that the competition is strong.”

Sports director Grischa Niermann indicates that Team Jumbo-Visma is starting the Dauphiné with the Tour de France in mind. “We have a part of the Tour team at the start. The Dauphiné is an important part of the preparation as some guys just need race rhythm. We certainly see opportunities in this week. Especially the last weekend will be tough. With Steven and Sepp we have riders at the start who can achieve something in this Dauphiné. With those two we aim for a good classification, but that does not mean that the other riders will not have opportunities.”