World No.1 Lead-Out Man Michael Mørkøv Talks Sprinting!

Rider Interview: It has been mentioned by many individuals that Michael Mørkøv is one of the best lead-out man within the peloton and if Mark Cavendish thinks so, then it have to be true. Michael is again at Cav’s facet to assist him take his thirty fifth, historical past making Tour de France stage win. PEZ caught up with the flying Dane earlier than he flew to the Tour Colombia.

Time for a great chat with the World’s No.1 lead-out man – Michael Mørkøv

Earlier than we began the interview, Michael needed to know the way Ed Hood was after his stroke final yr. Michael and Ed go method again, other than the numerous interviews, Ed labored with Michael on the ‘6 Days’, operating for him and doing all these jobs {that a} rider wants throughout these quick nights on the indoor boards.

Ed, Michael and the Tour KOM jersey

Ed Hood suffered a critical stroke final February. We don’t count on Ed will make it again into our bunch, so we’ve began a GoFundMe web page to assist Ed together with his future.  Learn the total publish right here – and please think about donating.

** Click on this hyperlink to donate to the GoFundMe web page to assist Ed **

Michael Mørkøv: Ed is my superb good friend. And in addition, I did many interviews with PEZ biking up to now, and that was at all times with Ed. He at all times did it with such such massive respect, he was at all times very well mannered in the direction of me. But it surely was at all times a bit bizarre as a result of I labored actually shut with him within the six days, so for me he was actually a good friend, however as an alternative he stored knowledgeable distance when doing the interviews. In fact I’m actually unhappy to know what has occurred to him and I’ll miss speaking with him as a result of he of all journalists, he’s most likely the one who is aware of me one of the best, who is aware of my background.

Ed interviewing Michael

You will the Tour Columbia with ‘Cav’. What’s the reasoning?
To start with is to arrange the season. So we go there with the concept of doing an altitude coaching camp, as a result of this ought to be a fairly good place to be at altitudes the place we have now a lot of flat roads to coach on, which is necessary for us. After which we additionally bought the possibility to trip the Tour of Colombia, which I feel will hopefully be a pleasant race to get began with and hopefully we are able to take a stage win there and that’s just about why we go.

third place for Mark Cavendish on the Tour Colombia first stage

PEZ: I feel some levels are over 2,000 metres?
Sure, I feel one climb is over 3,000 metres excessive.

PEZ: In order that’s a bit like pressured coaching as properly?
Yeah, however we’re there three weeks earlier than on a coaching camp, getting used to the altitude, it’s gonna set us up properly for the race and particularly for the approaching months. Clearly after that, the UAE Tour is an important race for us, as a result of the UAE Tour is the place all of the sprinters are clashing yearly now. So, , these are very completely different races, however I might say from my viewpoint, that’s the place you’ve gotten one of the best status races as a sprinter and as a dash workforce.

There may be numerous climbing in Colombia

PEZ: Are you able to inform me which races you’ll trip between the UAE Tour and the Tour de France?
The UAE Tour is essential, then we go to Tirreno and hopefully there will probably be some sprints there. After which we have now a few of the flat Classics. We do Milano-Torino, Scheldeprijs, De Panne and that’s the spring, however primarily, it’s UAE and Tirreno which are essential to hopefully get some victories.

Scheldeprijs 2021

PEZ: What’s your final race earlier than the Tour?
We begin once more with the Tour of Hungary in Could, I feel it’s after which we go on altitude coaching camp once more, for 3 weeks.

Coaching with ‘Cav’

PEZ: The place would that be?
In Sierra Nevada. I feel for the time being we’re nonetheless ready for affirmation of the levels, however I feel we’d go Swiss, however from yr to yr it adjustments rather a lot. Typically you’ve gotten Swiss with none sprints or identical with Dauphiné. So sprints are seldom nowadays. These days, there’s many races with none Dash’s, so due to that, as a dash workforce, we have now to pick our programme actually rigorously.

PEZ: If you’re establishing a dash, how does that each one work? Or how does the mechanics of a dash lead-out give you the results you want?
Effectively, it at all times relies upon from race to race. Clearly, I count on Colombia to be like a bit decrease degree form of racing. So most likely there we have to take larger duty than we should do within the UAE Tour as a result of in UAE I count on there will probably be most likely ten very sturdy dash groups. So then it’s extra about like having the tactic on the day which workforce we need to comply with, perhaps we need to take duty ourselves, however that additionally depends upon how Mark is feeling, like, how is the shape? Do we have now the energy to actually take it from the entrance? Or ought to we keep a bit sheltered and are available from the again. So it’s like there’s 1000’s of techniques in a dash.

There’s 1000’s of techniques in a dash

PEZ: UAE Might be very windy and open.
Yeah, UAE is at all times a tough one as a result of we’d be specializing in a dash, on a dash stage, however you can not simply sit again and look forward to a dash since you by no means know due to the cross wind.

PEZ: There may be going to be numerous sprinters within the Tour de France this yr, would you be watching anybody specifically within the last kilometres?
Usually I might by no means watch a sprinter specifically, I might at all times watch his workforce. These days, it’s not like there’s one sprinter who’s the person to beat, it’s extra just like the groups. We’ve seen up to now, for a lot of races, like Alpecin they usually have a really sturdy line-up. Clearly you probably have Van der Poel there to lead-out Jasper Philipsen, it’s a must to be very cautious about that as a result of he’s such a robust rider. The identical with Jumbo-Visma (Visma | Lease a Bike), Okay, within the Tour it is likely to be completely different, but when they’ve guys like Van Aert, if he’s sprinting or if he’s main out Kooij or somebody, it’s a unique sport. I count on DSM subsequent yr with Fabio may even do a correct practice. So it’s additionally like doing races, you’re studying the capability of every workforce and the way they method the finishes. It’s an terrible lot of homework.

Wvelgem’20

PEZ: So do you suppose that as a result of there are much less dash levels/races and there appears to be extra sprinters than ever, however much less alternatives. So it’s tougher now than it has ever been to win levels?
For certain. I may even say that these days there may be perhaps extra sprinters, however extra sprinters on the identical degree, extra sprinter’s groups on the identical degree. So let’s say within the Tour de France and particularly within the UAE Tour, there’s many groups who can do a very good lead-out, many sprinters who’ve extra lead-out guys. Lead out guys up to now, let’s say 10 or 15 years in the past, typically there was one or two groups main out and different sprinters would form of comply with and have a dash, however now there’s at all times numerous groups who can actually take pictures and there are extra battles and way more can go flawed and typically you’ll be able to simply be utterly boxed in. Worse conditions, like in Paris-Good or the Tour de France the place the street could be blocked with 60K to go and should you’re not in your place, you by no means make the arrival. Like we had that in a stage final yr within the Tour; principally blocked within the final 30K’s and we by no means bought to contest it.

Espresso time with ‘Cav’ and Michael

PEZ: The entire workforce is for Cav?
Yeah, yeah certain. All for Cav. Sure, in fact I feel for certain on the Tour, additionally we have now Lutsenko who’s additionally going for levels and doubtless a number of different guys, however positively on the times for a Dash will probably be for Cav and I see him already having like good energy, I’m actually in a position to see he has fine condition at this second and I’ve enormous confidence in him. Like in him as a sprinter, we all know he’s most likely one of the best dash on the market, regardless of his age and since he’s such an clever sprinter it’s like the important thing behind him. I’ll say the arrogance of being part of the tremendous sturdy workforce round him, I’m very assured that we are going to line him up and ship him to victories.

PEZ: Sprinters are recognized to be… not fragile, however issues need to be excellent for them.
The factor is, on this workforce has performed him numerous good. As a result of this workforce actually embraced him coming right here, they gave him the total help with out being on his neck. So, , he and we have now numerous freedom simply to give attention to what we’re greatest at, and attempt to win races, which is such an amazing alternative, as a result of clearly, , in lots of different groups, you’ll have to struggle in your spot towards different sprinters, perhaps even towards the GC guys; like, what number of help riders can you’ve gotten within the Tour, what number of can that man have (GC or dash staff) and you then the entire spring it’s a must to show your self to get a great workforce. So all of that’s not right here and I’m actually impressed in regards to the environment within the workforce.

Tour de France 2021 stage 4

PEZ: However the workforce is a strong dash workforce, it’s not like, you’ve bought anyone going for GC, or going for the KOM, it’s a sprinter’s workforce, which there hasn’t actually been for years.
No, the factor is, particularly within the Tour de France there may be at all times a compromise. You’d by no means go together with a full dash workforce, okay, at Fast-Step we truly did it. However yeah, that’s additionally the benefit.

Mørkøv and Bennett 2020 Tour de France

PEZ: What in regards to the ‘6 Days’? Are they completed? Aside from Gent. It’s so unhappy.
I might be the final one to name it off, as a result of I actually have such an enormous coronary heart for the six days and I actually miss it, . Particularly now, I’m sharing the room with Mark, some nights, we simply begin speaking in regards to the six days up to now and the way a lot we loved it. Him and I had been sitting there as beginner riders watching the professionals, finally we grew to become professional ourself and the enjoyment to get a contract with the skilled six days. The entire sport across the six days was simply superb. For me, it’s fairly properly vanished, isn’t it? We all know we have now nonetheless an amazing six days in Gent, Rotterdam remains to be holding up, they’re doing an amazing job. However , that entire World of six day racing, to come back again to Ed, he was along with Angus, my soigneur for years, and so they had been like a part of the circus shifting round.

A little bit of enjoyable in Copenhagen 2018

As a rider, everytime you would be a part of a six day you’d be coming to individuals you knew, virtually like a observe household. There was numerous historical past in it. So now we have now occasions, you’ll be able to name them six days, however , many of those conventional issues have gone. You don’t have the identical mechanic anymore, you don’t have that soigneur, it’s simply completely different. Now it has grow to be extra like simply racing, which can be superb, I admire racing, however six days was simply one thing completely different, it was simply leisure. For me, and a pleasant facet factor to the World Cups and one-day occasions and World Championships. Some locations do a 3 days, however that is additionally extra like simply racing, you don’t have that issue of the music and every thing else. Ten-fifteen years in the past, you’d have that group of six day riders who had been shifting round, you can say that perhaps these guys wouldn’t win World Championships, but it surely was such a distinct segment for them. So they might be one of the best, like artists on a observe. These days, while you put up a discipline for any race, you received’t have these superb six day riders anymore, they might trip round with closed eyes, they don’t exist anymore. Now it’s extra like simply pure efficiency.

The ‘6 Days’ household in Copenhagen

PEZ: Do you suppose it’s too specialised?
I don’t know. I feel that’s what I see within the sport. the extent, the overall degree, is simply increased and better, which makes it extra particular, we have now to go for particular occasion, no matter your capability is.

PEZ: Will you go to the Olympic Video games this yr?
Certain. The Olympics are an enormous aim of mine and I’m Olympic champion, so in fact, I wouldn’t simply depart that behind. That was an important level for me, coming to Astana. First time I spoke with Vino (Alexandr Vinokurov, Astana sports activities supervisor), I mentioned to him: “what are the probabilities for me to take part on the observe on the Olympics?” He mentioned “we’re gonna help you 100%.” In order that was a part of my package deal.

PEZ: How lengthy after the Tour de France are the observe occasion on the Olympics?
It’s three weeks, in order that’s all proper. I’m actually pleased that the workforce embraced it and provides me the liberty. I feel that additionally reveals numerous what the workforce is about. Many groups would simply saying no, simply because they will’t deal with various things. However right here, they’re actually relaxed and so they additionally know what do they get from me. If I get my likelihood to do my Olympics, I’ve additionally to sacrifice myself for the workforce earlier than after which after I’ve my very own possibilities.

Again to the Olympic Video games

PEZ: Do you suppose that’s perhaps greater than fashionable method although? Since you’ve bought guys using mountain bike, cyclo-cross, street and observe.
I don’t suppose that’s a contemporary factor, it comes very a lot right down to the riders. I feel it’s as a result of if I’ve the capability or the abilities to di observe biking I’ll do it, and the identical for Van der Poel and these guys, they prefer it and so they can do it.

PEZ: Yeah, there was at all times some guys, like Roger de Vlaeminck and observe riders who had been street sprinters, however there are riders now who discuss using gravel in the course of the season.
Yeah, now there’s a larger flexibility. With observe biking, I used to be at all times fortunate. Okay, I used to be also called a observe rider once I signed for groups, however I at all times had fairly good help. I additionally know many riders who by no means bought to help to do observe. So it’s a bit cut up, it’s typically additionally you’re fortunate perhaps to have a sponsor, who would push so that you can do gravel, observe or mountain bike.

Nationwide champions with Deceuninck

PEZ: How do you’re feeling when individuals like Kittel and Cavendish say you’re one of the best lead-out man within the World?
In fact, I’m at all times flattered to get optimistic response and I get pleasure from my place, however to be trustworthy, I additionally know that you simply’re by no means higher than your final dash, the arrogance is tremendous necessary. The explanation why I got here right here is as a result of I do know Mark has nice confidence in me, trusts me. We’ve seen that previously that him and I labored very well collectively. So it could possibly be that I’m not one of the best lead-out man on the day, however I imagine that for him, I’m one of the best lead-out man, as a result of we have now an excellent relationship and that’s essential.

PEZ: On the Tour de France would you share rooms with Cav?
Yeah, I at all times want to share a room with my sprinter as a result of that provides you one other dimension or one other device to work shut collectively. Typically it’s a bit bizarre if you’re separated out of your sprinter and it’s a must to focus on issues over breakfast or dinner.

Mørkøv and Cavendish on the 2008 Worlds podium

PEZ: What number of extra years will you race? You’re 38 now?
Yeah, that’s a great query. I’m 38, I’ll be 39 in April 2024, so getting nearer, I received’t be doing 5 extra years. However for the time being, I get pleasure from having the liberty to take it yr by yr, so this could possibly be my final yr. If there’s one thing attention-grabbing developing for 2025, let’s say a younger sprinter, a brand new challenge, why not? I’m not settled, , however in fact there must be challenged up the street.

PEZ: You turned professional in 2009, you’ve seen numerous adjustments since then, particularly lately, in the previous few years. The younger guys developing are completely different from while you had been a younger professional, it’s like a unique sport.
A 100% it’s completely different. Yeah, however it’s method past biking, I feel it’s the fashionable World. So what you see with the younger guys coming now, they arrive with enormous confidence and so they know every thing beforehand, they arrive with with much less respect for the fellows who’s already right here earlier than, however I feel that is what you see in all society. So in each group, younger individuals will enter with this nice confidence. Once I was a professional, once I began I used to be virtually afraid that anyone would say to me that I had entered the flawed room, however now the fellows come like they know every thing, the biking is right here for them. It’s completely different. However think about how a lot data they will get now, once I was a child there wasn’t a lot.

A younger Michael Mørkøv with associate Alex Rasmussen profitable the ‘Gent 6’ of 2009

# A giant due to Michael for his time and Vitalii Abramov of the Astana Qazaqstan workforce for arranging the interview. #