Rigoberto Urán could have cracked quite a lot of jokes within the EF Schooling-EasyPost press convention earlier than O Gran Camiño, however it was additionally crystal clear that each he and teammate Richard Carapaz are taking their subsequent racing problem, which begins Thursday in A Coruña, very severely certainly.
Each Carapaz and Urán have been within the thick of the motion within the just lately accomplished Tour Colombia, ending second and fourth total, with Carapaz’ solo victory on the Queen Stage on the Alto del Vino summit end arguably some of the memorable of his profession up to now.
The duo recognised nonetheless, that O Gran Camiño would increase the bar significantly, with three phases on twisting slender roads – “up and down all day, that is Galicia” as Urán succinctly put it – and really presumably in a lot harder climate situations.
That is not even mentioning the a lot deeper area, they can even cross swords with different prime rivals of the calibre of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease A Bike) and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), together with key Tour Colombia rival, Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers)
Anticipating what may very well be a really moist and wild 4 days in Galicia, Urán jokingly advised a small group of reporters, together with Cyclingnews, with a smile “I do not just like the rain and chilly, I just like the wind, however solely on the seaside when it is actually sizzling and it could possibly cool you down.
“Severely although, after all, it is tough, coming throughout from Colombia the place the climate’s very totally different, however we do know that the primary few days of the season are at all times like this. We’re prepared for it.
“There are many prime riders right here, and it is not prefer it was, the large names need to win proper from the beginning of the season. That makes it extra difficult.
“However we have got a really highly effective workforce, not simply me and Richard however Neilson [Powless], for instance, and I am having fun with each race I do, as a result of” – having introduced his retirement this season after the Tour Colombia – “these are the final races of my profession.”
“I need to do in addition to doable, all of the races are vital, and I hope to assist the workforce out as a lot as I can.”
It was an indication of how good morale was collectively within the EF Schooling-EasyPost camp that their press convention had quite a lot of lighter moments, corresponding to when Urán was requested whether or not he thought he might win outright, he replied, “Oh, however that man’s driving, is not he – what’s his title, Vingegaard?”
As for whether or not O Gran Camiño could be his final race in Spain, he sparked laughter once more by jokingly with a good-humoured grin, “Properly, I will be doing the Volta a Catalunya, however perhaps that is not Spain…”
Good-humoured references to Tour de France winners and Catalunya’s longstanding pro-independence bids, Urán was clearly motivated by an opportunity to participate in a brand new race so near the top of his profession, whereas Carapaz was eager to seek out his personal possibilities as properly.
“I’ve come right here straight after a number of days in Ecuador after Colombia,” Carapaz mentioned, “And I really feel advantageous, hitting my prime stage. The rivals are totally different and more durable, however it’s a great check for me, now I am beginning the 12 months.”
“My victory within the Alto del Vino was very good, however it’d be nice if I might repeat that right here.”
Carapaz will then go on working in direction of the Tour, but additionally Strade Bianche, the GP Indurain or all three Ardennes Classics, with the concept of testing himself out in one-day races earlier than the Olympics Video games. (Cue but extra humour, when Carapaz, the 2020 Olympic street champion, identified that it had not but been formally determined if he could be chosen, Urán gently however pointedly insisted he would: or as Urán put it, claro que lo harás, guebón! – after all, you may be doing it, you slacker!)
On a extra critical be aware and concerning Thursday’s time trial, Carapaz advised Cyclingnews later, “It may be a little bit of a lottery as a result of the climate goes to be such a giant issue, and whether or not you might be unfortunate or fortunate with the rain and wind and so forth.”
“However we have got to look over it already and it is a very good time trial, fairly technical, a good way to work as a check, significantly as there are some actual prime specialists right here.”
“It will have an vital impact on the general final result, however it’s Sunday and that remaining ascent that’ll actually resolve who wins the race.”
In an indication, although, that the larger objectives are maybe nonetheless a way down the street, Carapaz was unwilling to state precisely what he hoped to attain in his debut in Galicia, an space the place he is solely ever raced within the Vuelta. “I did not even come right here as an novice [when racing with the Movistar feeder team, Lizarte],” he identified.
“I am not going to place a selected goal on the general, we’ll see what sort of type I’ve obtained, what the numbers are like and analyse them. That is extra vital than a selected outcome as a result of it will give me a reference level for the remainder of the season.”
Supply hyperlink
Your posts always provide me with a new perspective and encourage me to look at things differently Thank you for broadening my horizons