For a top WorldTour climber like Sepp Kuss, every approach ultimately leads to the Tour de France, but even after three successes for himself and his team, the Jumbo-Visma climber prefers to switch things up during the long preparation period leading up to July

This year, the team is looking forward to the first of the three races in the next few weeks.

This year, the Jumbo-Visma mountain specialist has opted to return to the 2021 program, starting with the 2023 UAE Tour, followed by the Volta a Catalunya and Tour de Romandie. The spring program is significantly less extensive than the months of 2022, which began with a one-day race in Von Ardèche, France, followed by Strade Bianche, Tirreno Adriatico, Ituria Basque, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Kuss, who took on two important UAE Challenges for climbers in 2021 - 11th in Jebel Hafit and 7th in Jebel Jais - is aware that Hafit will again be a test on Sunday. But in any case, he knows that even in February, it is important to take time to prepare for the summer.

"I think I'll be able to schedule more or less what works best for me by getting a lot of rest between races," Kuss told Cycling News at the start of stage 5 of the UAE Tour.

"Last year I did a lot of racing in the spring, and while I need to race, that doesn't necessarily help me get in shape. So it's about finding the right balance."

Regarding the situation in the UAE, and despite his crash in the first stage, Kuss said, "So far, so good."

"I really like the hot climate like here, the warmer the better for me.

"It's not the hardest race compared to Ruta del Sol or Valenciana, but it might be too hard for me this time of year. It's more about getting back into a good rhythm, getting back into the feeling of racing. I haven't raced for a while, so that's good."

As far as form is concerned, Jebel Jaisse is long, steady, and not ideal. Unless there is a group attack, the peloton tends to climb virtually as one group, as happened on Wednesday. But the Jebel Hafeit is another story, says Kuss, "a more proper climb."

"The other day Jebel Jais was so windy that it was almost a group sprint. But Jebel Hafit is a more proper climb, and it might end up being a sprint.

The Volta a Catalunya is where Kuss steps up and says he "feels motivated for it."

"Catalunya is my home race" - he and his family are based in neighboring Andorra during their stay in Europe - "I like it. Catalunya is my home race" - his family lives in neighboring Andorra while he is in Europe. I still have a long way to go for the Tour and the Vuelta."

Kuss's decision to repeat the Grand Tour twice in a row has not yet been finalized. The Vuelta will not be 100% confirmed until after the Tour. However, unlike the first half of this year, he is eager to re-run the same GT combination as the past three years.

"You never know what will happen with the Vuelta and the Tour. We'll have to see what happens."

In any case, a 10km climb of the Jebel Hafit awaits on Sunday.