Cafe Roubaix

Rui Costa: “I can win the Tour de France in a couple of years”

The first Portuguese rider to become world champion, Rui Costa is preparing for his 8^th season as a pro, with the inaugural edition of the Tour of Dubai being his first race of the year. 2014 will be a very important season for Lampre-Merida’s rider, who wants to get as many wins as he can in the prestigious rainbow jersey. Since his win in Firenze, Rui Costa is a very busy man, but with the help of his agent, Jordi Quintana, and Andrea Appiani, Lampre’s press officer, I got to talk to him for a couple of minutes and find out what are his plans for this year.

– Rui, almost four months passed since you have won the rainbow jersey. How are things, what changed during this time?

There have been a lot of changes. The most important change is the number of hours of the days. Maybe you don’t believe me, but I am not sure that days have 24 hours now. I am absolutely sure that days had 24 hours in the past, but now, after the victory in Italy, it seems that the days are shorter and shorter. I have to answer a lot of interviews, I am requested for ads, and of course I need to train hard. So, it is not easy to find the time for everything. But the most important thing is the training! 

– How important do you think your win is for the development of Portuguese cycling?

I can not answer it. I want to be humble and don’t think about this kind of questions. Anyhow, the support of the Portuguese fans is really strong and I really appreciate it. We have a great generation of riders in my country now and we will achieve more victories in the following years, for sure! I wish that my rainbow jersey can be an extra motivation for all the young talents from my country! But it is too early to answer this question. Also, I wish that all the World Tour teams open their doors to Portuguese riders, because we have a great generation. 

– You already had an impressive CV, but now, as world champion, do you expect to be even more difficult to win races, as your opponents will keep a close eye on you?  

Yes, of course! It is more difficult to win races when you are the world champion. Anyhow, with or without the rainbow jersey, nobody is going to give you one stage of the Tour of France, for example. With the rainbow jersey it is not possible to surprise the other riders. But in races as the Tour de France or the Tour de Suisse, you can not win if you are not the strongest. 

– What are the goals for this season with your new team, Lampre-Merida?

It is a new season, a new team, but no new goals. It is true that I will have a different approach to this season. For example, I will have more freedom for the important races than in Movistar. But the calendar will be similar, with Classics (Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne, Liège–Bastogne–Liège), one-week races (París-Nice) and, of course, three-week races (Tour of France).  

– You won the Tour de Suisse in the last two years, but now, as you’ll be targeting the Tour de France, is there a chance to do the Dauphiné instead?  

Of course, I will go to the Criterium of Dauphiné in the future, but for 2014 we spoke with the team and it seems that the best option is to ride the Tour de Suisse again. When you win a race and you have the number one, it makes sense to run again and defend your trophy from the previous year. It is a way to respect the organizers and all the fans that supported you in the past. 

– What do you think of the course of the Tour de France?  

I don’t like to speak all year long about a race that takes place in July. I prefer to focus on the first races of 2014. We will have time to think and speak about the Tour in the future. The Tour is always the hardest race, so it is simple: it will be very hard again. The big change are the cobbles in the first week. But we have a lot of kilometres of ITT and mountains, the heat, the strongest riders in the World. This is the Tour!

– Where do you think there’s still room for improvement and on what will you work during this season? 

I have improved every year, so I hope the same for this season. At this level, you can not focus only on the ITT or the mountains. Normally, I wish to improve my endurance. This is the big key. I am 27 years old and I hope I can keep improving in the next two-three years at least.   

– When it comes to future goals, what other races would you like to win in the following years?

I would like to win the Tour of France and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. But I think all the riders can offer similar answers to this question. I have to take it step by step, as I am not ready to win the Tour of France in 2014. There are other riders with more skills for this race, riders who showed that they can do better than me, at least this season.

Damiano Cunego: “The world title remains my dream”

For the first time in his career, Damiano Cunego decided to start his season in the Tour de San Luis, where he finished in the main pack the inaugural stage. Right before going to Argentina, while waiting to board his plane, I had a short chat with the 2004 Giro d’Italia winner, who is determined to leave behind all the problems he had in 2013 and show that he can still have an impact in the important races, even if he knows it’s going to be more and more difficult, as he will turn 33 this year.

– Damiano, you had just one win last season. What went wrong?

2013 has been a very difficult year for me, because I’ve moved with my family in Switzerland and I had to adapt to the new places of training. Because of that I’ve lost my reference points and I’ve made many mistakes in my preparation. Also, I’m one year older.

– Why did you choose to start this season so early, in the Tour de San Luis?

Because in Argentina the weather is warmer than in Europe right now and I really want to have a good start. I hope my hard winter training will pay off early.

– You won Amstel Gold Race in 2008 and will ride it again this year. What do you think of the new finish?

For me, Amstel Gold Race is one of the best races in the world. I love this Classic and the win from six years ago is one of the most important and beautiful of my career. The new finish is very interesting and I will try to get another win.

– I know you will ride the Giro d’Italia. What goals will you have?

As ever, the Giro is very difficult. I will try to get some good results in the mountains, but I won’t go in the race thinking of the general classification. I will be very interested in the Alpine stages, even if I know is not going to be easy there.

– Do you hope to be at the start of the World Championships in Ponferrada?

The circuit is very hard this year, but in the same time is perfect for me. I really hope to be there and get an important result. This is my biggest dream, to win the World Championships. In 2008, I was very disappointed when I finished second in Varese. Still, I believe with all my heart that I can win the rainbow jersey.

Alexander Kristoff: “2014: Spring Classics and the Tour de France”

If the UCI would still be running the old World Cup system, then Alexander Kristoff would have been in the top 10 at the end of the 2013 season, which says a lot about his consistency in the one-day races. The Katusha rider was 8th in Milan-Sanremo, 4th in the Tour of Flanders, 9th in Paris-Roubaix, and 3rd in the Vattenfall Cyclassics, but he wasn’t impressive only in the Classics, but also in the bunch sprints, scoring six wins and wearing the green jersey in the Tour de France, after he finished second in the inaugural stage. 

The 26 year-old Norwegian will start the 2014 season in the Tour of Qatar, followed by the Tour of Oman, races in which he hopes to tune-up for the first Classics of the season, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, where he will be one of the contenders. As I wanted to know more about Alexander Kristoff’s goals for this year, I contacted Artem Goriachev, Katusha’s press officer, and he helped me get in touch with the talented sprinter of the team for the following interview. 

– Alex, how was 2013? 

I think it was a pretty good season. Maybe the list of victories was not as big as it could have been, but anyway, I consider that everything went well in 2013. I had victories, I took important podium places, so all I can think about now is just how to improve these results and how to get my upcoming season better than the last one. 

– You’ve had six wins and many other good results, especially in one-day races. What are your best memories from 2013? 

Well, every win is important for me, but of course, I can mention some special races for me. My first World Tour victory so far is really important – it was a stage at the Tour de Suisse and I have great feelings about it. I also like all the stages I won last year in the Tour of Norway, it was a special race for me – great rivals, great crowd, great organization. It was really cool to ride there and to win there. I can add my stage victory in my home race Tour des Fjords. My podium at first stage of Tour de France and the green jersey I worn even for one day was a good experience for me too. Of course, I can name the 3^rd place at Vattenfall Cyclassics and the 4^th  place at Ronde van Vlaanderen. It was really nice! 

– Was there a race that left you disappointed? 

Yeah, I can say that about all the races I did not win! But to be serious, I’ve had a great experience in the 2013 season, and all the races where I was close, but did not win, bring me now big motivation for the new season. I’d like to win a stage at Tour de France – this is my dream, I’d like to get at least on the podium of Sanremo, Roubaix or Flanders, where I was really close. I think every year I improve, my team Katusha is great and I have a huge support from the management and my teammates, so everything is going ahead well and I believe in the next years I will get more. 

– So, you dream of winning a Tour de France stage, but I presume that also the Spring Classics will have an important place in your calendar for 2014. 

You’re right, a stage win in the Tour de France is still a dream, as well as the green jersey. And for next year these are my real big aims. But besides, I will take part in the biggest Spring Classics, where I will try to win. In 2013, as I already mentioned, I was good in the Spring, so I hope I will keep improving there. Ronde van Vlaanderen suits me better than Paris–Roubaix, but I think I will have the opportunities to show myself there too. Milan–Sanremo, Gent–Wevelgem, E3 Prijs also, why not? All the Spring Classics, except the Ardennes ones, will be in my plans. 

– Is there a particular Classic you would like to win? 

I really like the Ronde van Vlaanderen, this is special race for me and it really suits me. In 2013, I was very close to a final podium, it was a great race, so I want to come there and to be competitive and to get my chance. 

– What would you say are your chances of winning the green jersey? 

To win the green jersey is the Tour de France is very difficult, but never say never. Yes, last year Peter Sagan was unbeatable, nobody could follow him in this fight, but you never know how the race can turn. I will try to win a stage, to get as much points as possible and we will see what will happen after that. Anyway, I will do all that is possible to be at my best and to justify my team’s confidence. 

– I saw that the World Championships are also on your agenda. What do you think of the profile? 

Well, at the moment we can talk about team time trial together with my Katusha Team. I would like to be a part of Katusha at the World Championships. Talking about the road race, of course I’d like to take part in it, but I still have to study the route, to see if it suits my characteristics. Besides, I have to be in strong shape to be competitive there and to get a chance to enter in the roster of the national team.

A chat with Matej Mohoric, the U23 world champion

Last September, after a memorable descent, Matej Mohoric won the U23 world title, one year after he won the rainbow jersey in the Junior race. One of the most gifted young riders out there, the 19 year old Slovenian signed with Cannondale for the next seasons and will make his World Tour debut in a couple of days, at the Tour Down Under. After going to Oz, he will race in Europe, where he will get for the first time in his career the taste of the Ardennes Classics that suit him so well. This week, before traveling to Australia, I caught up with Matej and he talked about the first months with Cannondale and his plans for this season.

– Matej, in September you won the U23 World Championships. How was that win?

It was really amazing that I managed to repeat the success from Valkenburg in Firenze. The emotions when I realized I collected another title were awesome, sensational, more or less the same as last year. It is a wave of adrenalin that goes through your body when you cross the finish line. I am grateful to my teammates and everyone else who stands behind those results.

– How are things going before your debut at the Tour Down Under?

I’m enjoying every single moment of living as a pro now. I have my eyes and ears open. I try to learn as much as I can, I accept every single advice. I know I’m a very unexperienced rider and that I have a lot to learn. 

– On what did you work during the training camp with Cannondale?

We worked a lot on my time trial and we improved my position on the new bicycle. I am also doing more work in the gym than I did in the past season. 

– Did you get to talk to the team about your schedule for 2014?

I will start my season in Australia with Down Under and Herald Sun Tour. I’ll continue in Italy and Swiss with Trofeo Laiguelia and Gran Premio di Lugano. Than I’ll do Paris-Nice and after that the Ardennes Classics: Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. That is the plan, but we might change it if necessary.

– Are there any particular races you would like to ride?

No, I don’t have special wishes for the next season. I want to do one of the Grand Tours in the next seasons. Maybe the Tour de Slovenia as a pro. And the World Championships, of course. Maybe also the Olympics. For 2014, my objectives are mostly to gain experience. I will try to learn as much as possible and get to know the world of professional cycling. 

– In our previous interview, you’ve told me your dream is winning the Giro, but you also showed some impressive qualities in one-day races. Will you also focus on these?

For now I will focus on improving and preparing myself for the new level of training and racing. I have few years to develop myself and than we will see what comes, what type of rider I become.

Dylan Van Baarle: “Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are my biggest dreams”

Garmin-Sharp made no less than nine transfers for 2014 and one of the smartest move was offering a contract to Dylan Van Baarle, who had an impressive 2013 season in the U23 ranks, winning the GC of Olympia’s Tour and Thüringen-Rundfahrt, as well as both national titles (road race and time trial). A cyclist with a huge “engine”, thanks to which he often time trials his way to a win, Van Baarle likes cobbles, short hills, and bad weather and is poised to become one of the best Classics riders in the world.

This year, he will make his debut at the Tour of Dubai, and there’s a good chance he will also ride some Northern Classics. Before his first race with Garmin-Sharp, Dylan made some time for this interview, in which you can find out more about thim.

– Dylan, why Garmin-Sharp, and not Belkin?

Because when Garmin gave me a contract, Belkin wasn’t there. They didn’t had a sponsor at that moment. Also, Garmin gave me so much trust.

– What will be your role in the US team this year?

I’m a Classics rider, so they want me to develop into a good Classics rider. In 2014 I will try to become much stronger and gain experience in the Classics, where hopefully I can do my work for Nick Nuyens, Johan Vansummeren and Sebastian Langeveld. The experience from the big races will be very important for the future.

– What’s your racing schedule for the first months?

First I will do the Tour of Dubai. Afterwards, the team will announce what will be the next races.

– Charles Wegelius said you can be a great Classics rider in the future. Do you agree or do you see yourself capable of becoming an all-rounder, with results also in week-long stage races?

I agree with him. But I can also do my thing in stage races like the Eneco Tour. We will see what this year brings me and then we can say what kind of rider I am.

– Speaking of this, what races do you dream of winning?

My biggest dream is to win the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. I like very much these races since I was little.

– In 2013 you had an excellent first half of the season, but afterwards you didn’t get any more wins. What happened?

Nothing particular happened, I was just preparing myself for the Worlds. Besides that, my opponents keeped a constant eye on me in every race and in this conditions is not easy to get so many wins.

– In Firenze you came with the first chasing group in the road race and finished 23rd the time trial. How were these two experiences?

On the day of the time trail I was not on my best. You must have a very good day to be on the podium. In the road race I don’t think I could have done better.

– You had many great wins in the last years, as a U23 rider. Which of these would you rate as the most important or beautiful?

The most important was Thuringen Rundfahrt. As for the most beautiful, I have to say the National road race, but also Olympia’s Tour stands high on my list.

– For two seasons now, you’re being hailed as one of the most promising Dutch riders. Does this bring an extra pressure, knowing that people expect results as soon as possible?

Not at this moment. Maybe it was a good decision that I signed with Garmin-Sharp. Now I can perform a little bit in the shadow of Sebastian Langeveld in the Classics.

From Picardy to America: Clément Chevrier

He took up cycling when he was only seven, inspired by his father, but also by Laurent Jalabert, who was one of the best French riders of those years. His name is Clément Chevrier, a cyclist who showed his huge talent since 2010, when he won a stage and finished 5th overall in Tre Bresciana. His results as a Junior convinced Chambéry CF – the official development team of AG2R – to sign him and during the last two years spent there Clément continued to improve.

The best results of his career so far came in 2013: riding for Chambéry and the national team, the young French rider finished second in the Tour des Pays des Savoie (where he also won the “queen stage”) and the Giro della Valle d’Aosta, before riding in the Tour de l’Ain, a 2.1 race in which he impressed once again, by coming home in 16th place, almost opt minutes behind his good friend Romain Bardet, who won the overall.

In the last part of the season, the disappointment of not signing with AG2R was soon forgotten after Clément transferred to Bissell, the US team managed by Axel Merckx. There, he wants to develop further and add some more wins to his CV, but also to make the final step to a World Tour team in 2015.

– Clément, let’s talk in the beginning about the 2013 season. You’ve missed a GC win in the Tour des Pays de Savoie and the Giro della Valle d’Aosta for less than a minute. After these races, did you see the glass half-full or half-empty?  

Half-full, definitely! Really, I was happy for these results, because I discovered myself step by step after each stage and each race. Nevertheless, I think I could have had a better result in the GC of the Tour des Pays de Savoie. Lots of things changed the race, as was the train which stopped my group before the last climb in the second stage.

– One of your most impressive results was the win at the top of La Toussuire. How did you feel then?

That was a great day, because it was the most difficult stage and I won it in front of my family and my friends. I prepared myself specially for this stage during my training camp in May. There is a lot of work behind this win.

– Then, in the Summer, you were a solid 16th in the Tour de l’Ain, ahead of many pro riders.

It was my first race with the national team and I had to find my place in the group. Moreover, this race had to be a preparation for the Tour de l’Avenir. Now I can say that I was in the best condition for l’Ain. During the race I was very happy, because it was my first pro race and I rode with cyclists that I watched only on TV! I had also some friends in the peloton and Romain Bardet, the final winner, helped me get a good result by anticipating the race and telling me where I should stay in the peloton. I’ve learned a lot during the Tour de l’Ain and after this result I was very confident for the Tour de l’Avenir. I realised at that moment that I had the level to ride in the professional peloton.

– I know you had some high expectations for the Tour de l’Avenir, but you finished 19th overall. What happened?

I wasn’t in a good physical condition at the Tour de l’Avenir. I was better during l’Ain. I think this was because I had a very busy schedule since June, with Savoie, Val d’Aosta, training camps, and I started the Avenir tired. My program wasn’t perfect, but it was a good experience and now I can prepare myself better thanks to this failure.

– In September, you came 11th in the road race at the World Championships. Were you satisfied with this result or do you believe you could have done better?

Personally, I’m satisfied, because I gave the best of myself. But when it comes to the team, we were a little disappointed, because we wanted to win, and on that day our tactic wasn’t good, whereas the conditions for the team were perfect. The problem was that we started the fight too early during the race.

– Speaking of the World Championships, what do you think of the Ponferrada course?

I got to see the circuit. I think there are no big difficulties, as in Florence last year, but it will be very demanding. With more than 3000 vertical metres of climbing, the U23 race will be very difficult, and the climbers will appreciate that. However, the final is in a descent that comes after the last climb, and it doesn’t allow a solo finish, being more suitable for a sprint from a small peloton. It’s kind of similar to Florence last year, when everyone came behind Matej Mahoric, who was very strong.

– Coming back to 2013, there were some rumours in the Summer about you going pro with AG2R. What happened in the end? 

I’m a little disappointed, because when we begin riding for Chambéry CF we want to go pro in the World Tour team at the end of our formation. But in the actual context, I’m very happy for my choice to go to Bissell, because I think that’s a good team for me, for my progress. In my case, I don’t think I have for the moment what it takes to be pro in the World Tour, but I hope Bissell will be a good springboard for it.

– How did you get in touch with Bissell and what made you transfer there? 

I’ve sent my CV two days before the World Championships to Axel Merckx hoping to get a positive answer. It was just after the road race when Nathan Brown talked with me and said that Axel was interested in me. Just one day later, I received a call from Axel Merckx. I have contacted one team only. Just Bissell, because I think that for my future, the work of Axel to develop the young riders as me is the best in the world before going to a World Tour team. I really think that it’s the best choice for me. Moreover, I follow this team since 2009 and I dreamed one day to be able to ride for Axel.

– It will be a new experience with the style of racing from there and also the high altitude mountains. 

Yes, it’s totally new for me. I’m looking forward to discover the races, the high altitude, the American life, the culture, the team mates. It will be a nice experience!

– What would you like to improve with the help of Bissell?

I want to improve in general, but most specifically in the mountains and stage races. I want to gain a lot of experience and learn many things thanks to the race calendar that I will have, the training camps, the experience of the staff and of my team mates. Then, after this season I hope to race in the World Tour. This my my final goal with Bissell. For it, during the season, I must show on the bike that I have the abilities. Also, I would like to improve my English, because I’m studying again Business and it’s very important to speak this language.

– Do you know your programme? Are there any races you would really like to do?

No, I don’t know my programme for the moment, but I would like to race and be in a good condition for the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour of California and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge with Bissell. In addition to these races, I would like to ride with my national team the Tour des Pays de Savoie and Tour de l’Avenir.

– What will be your goals for 2014?

In the first part of the season I will try to get a good result in the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23, as I like the Classics and this race is very nice, but very difficult too. After it, I want to be in my best condition for the Tour of California. The level is very high, so I can’t say I have a concrete goal, but I want to give the best of myself for the team. It’s the same thing for Colorado. If I can ride with my national team I would like perform in the Pays de Savoie, l’Avenir and at the World Championships, of course, if I’ll be there.

– One of your dreams is winning the Giro di Lombardia one day. What is it that you like so much about this Classic? 

It’s a beautiful race: the roads, the climbs, the tifosi. I like riding in Italy. It’s a different culture and the atmosphere is special. Besides that, the race is very difficult and it suits my climbing abilities. I like a lot the classics and I have a big attraction for Liège-Bastogne-Liège. It is so difficult and mythic too!

– And besides that? In what other races you would like to leave your mark over the years?

For 2014, I would like to shine in the Tour de l’Avenir, because it’s the “queen race” in the U23 category. Otherwise, Milan-Sanremo makes me dream, but it’s not suited to my characteristics. And, as all the climbers, I dream of the Tour de France and winning a big mountain stage!

Michael Valgren Andersen: “I don’t like to be second”

Many teams were interested in signing Michael Valgren Andersen, one of the biggest prospects in Danish cycling, after his excellent 2013, a year in which he won the U23 Liège–Bastogne–Liège (for the second year in a row), the Flèche du Sud and a stage in the Tour de l’Avenir – the first Dane in four years to do so – after a great breakaway.

Not surprising at all, Michael finally chose Tinkoff-Saxo, the only Danish team in the World Tour, where he wants to develop and become a Classics and stage races contender for the future. More on this in the following interview, the last one of 2013 on Cafe Roubaix.

– Michael, how was the first training camp with Tinkoff-Saxo? 

Well, I have been on two training camps with the team before, but that was as an invited rider. So this time was different. You start to feel like a member of the team, the other riders are more likely to talk to you and take care of you. It was a great experience to be with the team. I really enjoyed the training camp, there was good mood and I really look forward to be a part of this team.

– What made you come to Tinkoff-Saxo, despite having offers from other World Tour teams? 

For me it was very easy to choose Tinkoff-Saxo. Bjarne Riis was the factor, I had a really good talk to him and I felt that he has an idea with me for the future. And I am Danish, so Tinkoff-Saxo has always been my favorite team in the world. This is a dream come true.

– What will be your programme in 2014? Do you know a couple of the races you will do? 

I will start early, in the Tour Down Under, instead of Michael Rogers. So that will be very exciting for me to start in such a big race. I really hope I can deliver what they expect from me, because then I am going to do Liège–Bastogne–Liège and that would be so big for me, as I love that race.

– With what hopes and expectations will you start the season? 

I expect it to be very hard. I do not expect to go out and make a big result right away, but I really look forward to start and see what’s the level in the World Tour races. I hope to learn a lot in the first year, I’m going to see what the “old” ones on the team will do and learn from them.

– You won the U23 Liège–Bastogne–Liège two times, the Flèche du Sud and a stage in the Tour de l’Avenir. Which of these wins was the most important for you? 

It is a tough question. I really like all my wins, and especially the GC in Flèche du Sud, because I would like to be good in small stage races in the future. But Liège–Bastogne–Liège is the most important one. It was a big win for me, because it was for the second year in a row and that shows stability, and not luck. It’s a special feeling when you cross the finish line in Liège–Bastogne–Liège alone and think “the pro riders are also doing this race”, and you know it is a big race because of the name. That’s why it is the biggest win for me.

– Do you dream of winning Liège–Bastogne–Liège also as a pro in a couple of years and thus becoming the first rider to win in the Espoirs and Pro ranks? Or do you have other goals?

Of course I dream of winning Liège–Bastogne–Liège in the big league. It is a big and beautiful race, which deserves a lot of respect. You have to be strong and clever to win the race. But deeply inside I would really like to be a complet rider in the future who can climb, time trial and be good in stage races. That really fascinates me! I don’t know what’s my thing, Bjarne and Steven de Jongh (my trainer) will find out. But I really like the Grand Tours, so maybe one day, who knows?

– What are your strenghts as a rider?

I am stubborn and I have a big engine. I do not like to be second, so I fight to be the best. I have a really good flow with the cadence, and I am on top of the gear.

– At the other end, where do you still have to make some improvements? 

I have to show more stability in training and especially after training. Hereby I mean what I eat and how much sleep I get. I just have to be more professional.

Gianni Savio: “We have huge ambitions for 2014”

2013 was a mixed season for Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela: the Italian team had 13 wins, but non of these was in the Giro, its main goal. On the other hand, Androni made sure of receiving of a wild card for the 2014 Corsa Rosa, thanks to the results it had in the Coppa Italia throughout the year. For next season, Androni transferred no less than eight riders, and despite some of them being very young and at their debut as pros, manager Gianni Savio hopes to see them score more wins than the total his Pro Continental team had in the previous year.

– Mister Savio, what were the best moments of the year for Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela?

We had many good moments during this season, because we honoured all the races, starting in January with the Tour of San Luis, where Mattia Gavazzi won a stage, then in April, with Alessandro Malaguti in the Route Adélie de Vitré. Also, even if we didn’t won a stage, we were protagonists in the Giro, where our team had a record: 1680 kilometres spent in the breakaway. After the Giro, another important win was that of Marco Frapporti in stage four of the Route du Sud, followed by the overall triumph of Carlos Ochoa in the Vuelta a Venezuela, where we also scored two stage wins. Finally, in September, we won the Gran Premio Industria & Commercio di Prato with Gianfranco Zilioli.

– Were you disappointed not to win the Coppa Italia?

We were second at the end of the season, but that only because there was a stratospheric, an extraordinary Diego Ulissi who won three of the last four races. Still, we are happy, because thanks to that result we received a wild card for the next Giro d’Italia.

– Which of Androni’s riders surprised you this season?

I have to say Gianfranco Zilioli. He is a young rider, very talented and was very impressive with his win in the Gran Premio Industria & Commercio di Prato, where we must not forget he was racing as a stagiaire.

– Let’s talk about the transfers for next season.

We have many very good young riders, and I’m very happy. These riders are Gianfranco Zilioli, Andrea Zordan, the U23 Italian champion, and Yonder Gondoy, who won the U23 time trial title in Venezuela. People noticed him in the World Championships, where he was in the breakaway for more than 100 kilometres, despite being the youngest rider in the race, just 20 years old. There is a big chance for Zordan and Zilioli to ride the Giro next season, but first we must see their condition.

– And how about the transfers of Johnny Hoogerland and Kenny Van Hummel? Do you hope they will bring you wild cards for the Ardennes?

We wanted to broaden our horizons, our philosophy, and to adapt to the reform of international cycling, that’s why we signed them. You know that there will be some changes, and we must be prepared to go in races from Northern Europe. We have faith in Van Hummel for the sprints, while Hoogerland brings a good image for the team, as he is very aggressive, very combative in races. Androni and Hoogerland share the same mentality. And yes, we hope to be in some of the Ardennes Classics, as we have huge ambitions for 2014.

– Are you still interested in signing Franco Pellizotti?

I want him, but that doesn’t mean there will be a new contract, but an extension of the previous one. The things should be clearer this week, but I want him in the team for next season.

– Speaking of 2014, who can be the surprise of Androni?

Besides Andrea Zordan and Gianfranco Zilioli, I would have to say Diego Rosa. He can be one of the captains of the team in the Giro, not a “domestique”, as was the case in 2013. Anyway, all these riders are combative and I’m sure they can shine next season.

– What are the chances for Androni te be a World Tour team in the following years?

I am in negotiations with the Venezuelan Government and I’ll have an important meeting at the beginning of next year. Artemio Leonett, the president of the Federation, is very interested, as is Alejandra Benitez, the Minister for Sport. They are willing to invest, and I hope we will have a World Tour team for 2016, which is an Olympic year. Things are looking good so far: you know we have that project developed for young Venezuelan riders, thanks to which we discovered Yonder Godoy and Carlos Gimenez, who has the potential of becoming a Grand Tour contender in the future. For now, he will ride for Maltinti, a U23 team, and he will join us in 2015. I want to discover other young riders in the future, so it’s very important to have a World Tour structure.

Bob Jungels: “I want to improve my climbing skills”

As a U23 rider, Bob Jungels won Paris-Roubaix, Flèche du Sud, Le Triptyque des Monts et Châteaux and the National Championships, and people were already saying he can be one of the best riders in the peloton in the years to come. Then, in 2013, he became a pro with RadioShack-Leopard and didn’t fail to impress, scoring four wins and showing that he can also climb very well, not only time trial, in races like Critérium International or Clasica San Sebastian.

Now, Bob Jungels is preparing for the new season and his expectations are high, especially when it comes to stage races. Thanks to Tim Vanderjeugd, the press officer of Trek Factory Racing, I got in touch with Bob before the holidays and got to know more from him about his schedule and goals for 2014, a year in which he will get many opportunities to shine.

– Bob, you got a win in one of your first races as a pro. How was that feeling? What were you thinking when crossing the line first in the GP Nobili?

My first victory was of course exceptional for me, it was a big surprise and of course I was super happy with it! I couldn’t really believe that I won after such a long breakaway, but the feeling on the line was amazing. I’ll remember that day for a long time!

– Another important moment for you this year was riding Paris-Roubaix. How was it, do you want to come back in the future or forget about it?

Paris-Roubaix was one of the best experiences for my this year. We had obviously a lot of pressure with Fabian as leader and in the end everything went well! I won’t forget about it, but I think I’ll focus more on the Ardennes Classics in the next years, I think these races suit me better and I will maybe have more chances to get a good result as in Flanders or Roubaix. But I won’t close that door for the future.

– In September you’ve raced at the World Championships. Tell me, how did you live that experience?

The Worlds have been a mixed experience for me, I was really excited about it and I was happy to be part of the team time trial team. The individual time trial was a bit disappointing for me as I did not really recovered from the TTT and the road race has been really hard due to the conditions. I crashed two times and was forced to give up the race. I really don’t like pulling out of races, especially if it’s the Worlds, so the disappointment was big, but I’m already looking forward to next year’s Worlds.

– You’ve had a total of four wins this year. Which of these was the best one?

The victory in Nobili and the fifth stage in the Tour of Luxembourg have been the “best” ones. Every victory is of course nice, but I think the way I won these two races made them special. Also, I’m very happy for progressing a lot on my tactical level and on my general skills in the races.

– After this year, in which direction are you heading to: one-day races or stage races?

I will focus more on the stage races and the hard one-day races, such as the Ardennes Classics or the Clasica San Sebastian.

– And what objectives do you have for 2014?

I would like to get more experience in World Tour stage races, like Paris-Nice, and why not, in a Grand Tour. To be competitive in the Grand Tours, I need to improve my climbing skills, I think that will be the main focus, but of course I’d like to improve also my time trial.

– Do you know your programme for the first months of the season?

Yes, I will start in the Tour of Dubai and then I’ll go to the Tour Méditerranée, Paris-Nice, Critérium International, Tour of Basque Country, Ardennes Classics, Tour of California and Tour of Luxembourg.

Tony Gallopin: “The World Championships are on my mind”

After two seasons with RadioShack-Leopard, Tony Gallopin decided it was time for a change, so in the Summer he signed a contract with Lotto-Belisol. After enjoying the biggest victory of his career at the Clasica San Sebastian, the French rider will focus on the one-day races in 2014, at least in the first half of the season, where he will try to leave his mark on the Spring Classics. Of course, the Classics will not be the only goals of Tony Gallopin, who hopes to shine in a couple of stage races, but also in Ponferrada, where the 87^th edition of the World Championships will take place.

– Tony, how is the training camp?

It’s good, is almost over now, the weather was fine and another important thing is that I got to know all my teammates by now. I did normal trainings, without working on anything particular, and I’m very happy that the team is so well organized.

– What made you sign with Lotto-Belisol?

I’ve developed personal ambitions. It was difficult to continue with RadioShack-Leopard, because Fabian Cancellara was the big leader for the Classics. There were also leaders for the stage races, so I’ve decided to come here for a new experience, for opportunities and for the mentality Lotto has as a Belgian team.

– Did you get to talk with the manager of the team, will you be the leader in some races?

Of course, I will be the leader for the Spring Classics, but I won’t have all the team for me. I’ll be protected, but not like a big leader.

– Do you know your programme for the first months of the year?

I will start in France with the Grand Prix La Marseillaise and the Etoile de Bessèges, then I will go in the Tour of Oman and before the Classics I will race in Paris-Nice. Afterwards, I’ll do all the cobbled Classics, except Paris-Roubaix. Then I’ll be back for the Ardennes Classics.

– So, the Classics will be more important next year than stage races.

Yes, that’s the plan for the first part of the season.

– Do you have any hopes for the Tour de France, especially that some stages should suit you?

First of all, we have one of the best sprinters in the world, so we’ll have to work for him. Also, we have a rider for the general classification. Then, if I’ll get some freedom and have an opportunity, I will try to make the most of it.

– What did you lack in 2013 and you feel you have to improve for next season?

I need to progress in the Classics, to become a little bit stronger and to be up there with the best. Also, in the second part of the season I would like to progress in the mountains and maybe lose some weight, so that I can get some good results in the Criterium du Dauphiné.

– Will the World Championships from Ponferrada be one of your goals for 2014?

The road race is already in my mind. I saw the profile and I really like it. It’s true, I need to ride there in order to get a better picture, but it’s a good course for me.