TURIN – Looking ahead to return to raising our arms like in the past. The 2024 Tour de France is already on Dylan Groenewegen's mind., the sprinter on which the Team Jayco-AlUla will aim for at least another two seasons, hoping to see him darting forward like he did last year, but not as well in the season that is about to end.
The final whistle for the 2022 Grande Boucle came on stage three in Denmark and, looking ahead to the next yellow route, This time too, 3 could be the perfect number to scratch the asphalt, with a quick arrival in the heart of Turin. Right in the Piedmontese capital, we met the thirty-year-old Dutchman, after he had carried out the ritual visits to the Institute of Riba Rehabilitation – Cidimu Group.
What is your budget for 2023?
The season overall went well, although maybe I would have expected a few more victoriesIn particular, I was aiming for a stage at the Tour, which I've come close to on several occasions, but getting close isn't enough, so I'll try again next year.
So, is the Grande Boucle an obsession for you?
The Tour de France is the primary objective, but I will start with the AlUla Tour first (until this year, the Saudi Tour, ed.), which for obvious reasons is a very important race for our team. I want to be in top form right from the start, but then I'll try to be at my best for July 1st.
Who will be your trusted men?
Usually, by my side, I always have Luka MezgecThen there's Elmar Reinders, who's doing a great job, while I haven't been able to count on Amund Jansen this year, but I'm sure he's working hard to get back to racing strong, and I can't wait to race with him again, because I'm sure he'll be able to help me a lot in the race. Luke Durbridge's contribution will also be invaluable.
How has the life of sprinters in the Grand Tours changed compared to Cipollini's days when the sprinters' trains ruled the roost?
Cycling is constantly evolving and now, instead of having 6 or 7 people available, the sprinter has at most 3 or 4 who can support him. Even in the season just ended, our team was divided 50 and 50 between those who supported Simon yates for the general classification and who me for the stages. But I'm not complaining, because everyone races like this now.
Do you think there have been fewer opportunities for sprinters in the Grand Tours?
No, I don't think so. At most, there are tougher stages or the peloton accelerates on the climbs, which makes the race tougher. Cycling evolves every year, and as far as sprints go, at the last Tour, many tried, but the only one who found the perfect balance was Philipsen.
Going back a bit, can you tell us what the relationship is between you and Fabio Jakobsen after what happened at the 2020 Tour of Poland?
Fabio and I have never been friends and we aren't even now.He is a great sprinter and I consider him as such, nothing more.
Can you tell us about your return to the saddle after what happened and all the criticism you received?
Has been a very long and difficult period without racing, because first Covid arrived and then the disqualification for what happened in Poland. I trained and then kept busy with my family. Many people asked me if I missed racing, but the reality is that I was very busy with my wife's pregnancy and then with the birth of my firstborn Mayson., who was also a bit hasty to come out into the open. At that time, he was my priority and cycling came second.
Do you feel like you were before again now?
Yes, immediately I made a mistake by going straight to the Giro d'Italia, because I wasn't ready yet After a long time inactive. Fortunately, thanks also to his farewell to Jumbo and his arrival at this team, I found fun in what I do and felt welcomed into the family.
When you're not cycling, do you like to do any other sports?
I spend a lot of time in the gym. Then, in winter, I like to go running.
What will it be like to challenge Cavendish for the last time at the 2024 Tour?
You can say any race and he almost certainly won it. He is perhaps the best sprinter of all time and I am 100 percent sure of the fact that Mark he has what it takes to beat Merckx's recordHe'll need a bit of luck, because he's lost a bit of his speed compared to his golden years, but I don't know anyone as shrewd in the final stages.
Will we ever see you in any classics?
We have many riders in the team who can win them, like Ewan or Bling (Michael Matthews, ed.), while I feel more like a sprinter for the Grand Tours.
How many tattoos do you have?
I have three, each with a very specific meaning. Two on my right arm, which I'm very fond of: one is a lion protecting his cub, that is me with Mayson, who is now 3 years old. While the other is a woman with a watch, representing the time and patience I put into it during the long forced break to get back to my previous level.
