One of the big themes of the upcoming cycling season is Marc's Tour record attempt Cavendish. One is enough, and yet it really seems like the most difficult. He had even decided to give up, but then he changed his mind, also pushed by theAstana who has decided to invest a good part of his season in this project.
In the environment there is a division between those who are sceptical and those who instead think that despite his age, "Cav" has everything to succeed in the enterprise and among these one of the most convinced is Elia Viviani. The Olympian does not rely only on his experience, on the commonality of many seasons competing around the world, but on objective reasoning.
«Thinking about it – Viviani recalls – Cavendish could have won last year too, had he not been forced to retire. It's true, there was Philipsen a cut above everyone else, but it was clear in the last stage that there was the possibility of subverting the hierarchies of the race and Mark, with his experience, could take advantage of the situation in the last week. You don't win the final stage of the Giro d'Italia by chance.».
Knowing him, would you ever have thought you'd still see him as a protagonist?
Initially, I was also skeptical, I thought he would struggle to compete with the new generations, but he proved me wrong. Furthermore, he found a manager like Vinokourov who put everything at his disposal, because He believes in this idea and is working to promote it in every way, from the choice of adventure companions to the entire structure oriented towards the goal.So much so that I'm convinced Cavendish can even win more than one stage at the Tour, extending his record streak.
A season completely focused on the Tour: don't you think that's a risk?
I have some doubts about this, I admit. I thought he would repeat last season, but instead he followed the footsteps of modern cycling where you focus on one goal and work only towards that. As a sprinter, based on how things went, I wouldn't have changed. "Cav" hadn't started the Giro yet, but by racing he gained fitness and was at his best by the third week. There's one factor that makes me think his decision was changed.
What?
The arrival of Greek coach Vasilis AnastopoulosHe knows him well, he led him to win four stages at the Tour, he knows how it's done. Evidently he has built a targeted approach path to make him stand out when it will really be needed..
Is this a different Cavendish than the one you faced years ago?
Of course. He adapted, as all of us of the older generation did. For example, before, we had opportunities in the classics, at least the ones we were most comfortable with. Today, even in flat races, you find sections where there are riders who make the difference and make the race explode.We no longer have the same opportunities. We've had to adapt, focusing heavily on things step by step.
Compared to the past, does experience make up for the physical decline?
It depends. It's clear that you'll lose a few watts; that's the nature of things, and it's up to the rider to compensate. Experience helps in the Grand Tours. At first, everyone is a lion, but then little by little, things change. And you have to be able to deal with yourself. This difference doesn't exist and can't exist in other stage races where the winner is the one with the most watts available; there's no time to shake things up.
Astana has also built a team around him…
A super team I'd say. Bol, Morkov, Ballerini They are top-notch players, combined with someone like Anastopoulos, who has great skill and knows how to best exploit them, are all important factors in achieving their goal. I'm convinced that eventually the record will change hands.
Let's get back to you and the season that's just beginning. What will you do after the holidays?
I will not be at the European track championships due to a specific choice, made by Villa and by the team by mutual agreement. I will leave on January 5th for Australia where I will stay for a month, first to face the road races of the season with an eye to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race I've already won and marked it in red in my calendar. Then I'll be at the start of the Nations Cup track stage. We opted for this program because it best fits the team's needs and mine, in a season that is all geared towards Paris.
So you'll go ahead combining road and track…
Yes, but working hard on the road both for my needs, but also to bring home results for the team. For example, I will be at the UAE Tour which is a race very suitable for fast wheels. My goal for the first half of the year is still the Giro d'Italia, where I want to achieve my best. Much will depend on the team's decisions, which are very strong: if we focus heavily on the overall standings, then the team's focus will be on that. If instead we focus on the stages I will have more possibilitiesThen the spotlight was on Paris for the last month, to make my dream come true.
