Not only Vincenzo Nibali, theAstana Qazaqstan This year saw another great return, that of Miguel Angel Lopez. And the Colombian, for everyone Superman, he is no small rider. Now he is one of the strongest climbers in the group, capable of almost reaching the podium at Tour and to get on that of the Line of Business and Return.
We talk about this return which happened, perhaps a little quietly, with Joseph Martinelli, the “sports director of sports directors” at Astana.
“Martin”, the prodigal son has returned home…
The truth is that Miguel didn't want to leave. It was an economic decision, because we had a limited budget for 2021, and by removing him, we "helped" ourselves. But, I repeat, there was no intention of letting him go. It is no coincidence that Miguel initially signed a one-year contract with Movistar, then during the Tour de France he further extended it by a season.
Until that scene at the Vuelta, with the roadside phone call caught on TV…
That was their case in Movistar, but when Vinokourov he understood that there was a chance to take it back and left immediately since the balance there had been broken. I don't know if it could have been remedied, but Vino seized the opportunity: a phone call with Giovanni Lombardi (Lopez's attorney, ed.) and in no time it was done.
After this period of time away from you, has he changed?
I have to say yes. I saw him very motivated. Before he left Astana, he was a bit unsure of himself at our place.He had joined our group as a young Colombian, one of many discovered almost by chance. Vinokourov and I went to see him at the Tour de l'Avenir, which he later won. I told Vinokourov to “park him” in some continental championship, but luckily he immediately wanted him with the professionals. Being very young, he was pampered, revered… When he wanted to go home to Colombia we told him: go. Instead, by changing environment he grew. I don't know if he or the team was good, but it's certainly bigger than when he left.
In short, this experience at Movistar did him good…
I always tell my riders: spending many years in a team is nice, it means you're happy, but It is also useful to gain experience outside your own backyard.
And has he improved even more physically?
Miguel has always had the numbers. He's been on an escalation journey, constantly improving, then at a certain point he stabilized. This year, I expect the best from him. In December, when I gave him his plans, I told him right away that he would be the captain at the Giro d'ItaliaBut I also told him that we want him to win something first. We want him to not only think about the Giro. He must arrive at the Giro d'Italia with something in his pocket. And I have to say he got off to a good start. He attacked in Murcia, and these days he's doing well at the Ruta del Sol (he finished third overall, ed.). He finished some stages with cramps, which means he pushed, he gave it his all.
He got the message…
He understood that we want the result "without ifs and buts." At the Giro he will have a team at his disposal. He must arrive at the races in the right condition to fight, to win. It's no longer the time to grow, to stay calm, to go to the Giro to win a stage. No, he's 28 years old and the time has come for him to prove whether he is fish or fowl.
And how do you think Lopez took it? How did he react to this responsibility?
I think he reacted well. As I said before, he seems more responsible. We have people like Nibali on the team, Moscon, From the cross, but it's also up to him to pull himself out of the fire. Sometimes it'll be his own business to get out of difficult times. I think he understands that... He knows we won't settle, he knows he has to win.
Are you saying this because you saw how he behaved in retreat?
I say this because he's now the right age and has all the potential to do his best. Before, there was always something that limited him. He really has the numbers.
When you say “something that limited him,” do you mean a few too many falls, a hole in the pack, some distractions?
Exactly, the mistakes that those who win today don't make. Races are not won by chance and nothing is left to chanceIf we look closely, in the last three years anyone who has sat on the saddle in a race has done so to compete, not to prepare as was done in the past.
Martino, you're going to see some stages of the Giro. Maybe you told him some anecdotes with him. Panta on the Fedaia?
It's increasingly difficult to do reconnaissance, we're always on the move, between hills, retreats, races. There's no time. Del Fedaia I didn't tell him anything, for now we have some goals and we'll think about the Giro at the right time.
What program will Lopez do?
His first part of the season reaches up to the Tirreno-Adriatico. Then he will go home to Colombia and come back for the Tour of the Alps.
But in general, without so much of a time trial, does it seem like a suitable Giro for him?
You have to be careful, of course. There are stages in Hungary that look easy on paper, but, as you know, danger is always around the corner. Some people want to attack, everyone is fresh... I've been in cycling for many years and beyond the technology, I see for myself that everyone is going strong. Today, a rider who drops out means he's finished his job, because he has other tasks to do in the following days and is saving himself. He doesn't drop out because he can't cope. If everyone ran at 100%, we'd go even faster.
Is there a key man who will support Lopez?
Harold TejadaHe's a bit of an unfinished product, but he has what it takes to be a strong climber. This year is also important for him to truly understand who he is. So far, he seems to be doing better. He's Colombian like Lopez, so maybe being close to him will be a motivation for him too.
And how will Lopez get along with Nibali and the other big names?
No, no… They get along well. Let's not forget that Vincenzo and I already knew each other. They were both at Astana. Lopez is a great guy. It may seem “edgy” from the outside, but it's actually very quiet.
