Rigoberto Urán could have cracked quite a lot of jokes within the EF Training-EasyPost press convention earlier than O Gran Camiño, but it surely 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 had been within the thick of the motion within the not too long ago accomplished Tour Colombia, ending second and fourth total, with Carapaz’ solo victory on the Queen Stage on the Alto del Vino summit end arguably one of the vital memorable of his profession thus far.
The duo recognised nevertheless, that O Gran Camiño would increase the bar significantly, with three phases on twisting slim 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 may also cross swords with different high 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 might be a really moist and wild 4 days in Galicia, Urán jokingly instructed 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 seashore when it is actually scorching and it could actually cool you down.
“Significantly although, after all, it is tough, coming throughout from Colombia the place the climate’s very completely different, however we do know that the primary few days of the season are all the time like this. We’re prepared for it.
“There are many high riders right here, and it isn’t prefer it was once, 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 staff, 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 necessary, and I hope to assist the staff out as a lot as I can.”
It was an indication of how good morale was collectively within the EF Training-EasyPost camp that their press convention had quite a lot of lighter moments, reminiscent of when Urán was requested whether or not he thought he may win outright, he replied, “Oh, however that man’s driving, is not he – what’s his identify, Vingegaard?”
As for whether or not O Gran Camiño can 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 possibly 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 tip of his profession, whereas Carapaz was eager to seek out his personal probabilities as properly.
“I’ve come right here straight after just a few days in Ecuador after Colombia,” Carapaz stated, “And I really feel effective, hitting my high degree. The rivals are completely different and more durable, but it surely’s a great take a look at for me, now I am beginning the 12 months.”
“My victory within the Alto del Vino was very good, but it surely’d be nice if I may 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 highway champion, identified that it had not but been formally determined if he can be chosen, Urán gently however pointedly insisted he would: or as Urán put it, claro que lo harás, guebón! – after all, you will be doing it, you slacker!)
On a extra critical be aware and concerning Thursday’s time trial, Carapaz instructed Cyclingnews later, “It’ll be a little bit of a lottery as a result of the climate goes to be such an enormous 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 take a look at, significantly as there are some actual high specialists right here.”
“It’s going to have an necessary impact on the general final result, but it surely’s Sunday and that last ascent that’ll actually resolve who wins the race.”
In an indication, although, that the larger objectives are maybe nonetheless a way down the highway, 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 kind I’ve obtained, what the numbers are like and analyse them. That is extra necessary than a selected outcome as a result of it’s going to give me a reference level for the remainder of the season.”
