With the second gold medal of Evenepoel in Paris The road Olympics have ended and the track Olympics are now opening. The WorldTour circus has restarted its engines and is heading towards the return, third Grand Tour of the season after the wonders of Pogacar at the Giro e at the TourThe Slovenian was pulled by both sleeves to race in Spain too, but he wisely stayed away from the temptation of the hat-trick, putting a smile on the face of Javier Guillen, the organizer of the Vuelta. In reality he had never believed it, even if dreams cost nothing and if they come true they change your life..
We reach Guillen on a relaxing morning at two weeks before the start of the Vuelta, which this year starts from Lisbon and for three days it will hit the roads of Portugal, before tackling those of southern Spain, and then moving up to the North: Galicia, Asturias and the Basque Country, before the grand finale in Madrid.
What is the organizer of the Vuelta doing two weeks before the start?
They are more than anything else internal coordination tasks, to make sure everything is ready, especially for Lisbon, where we'll be starting. Everyone is working 100 percent for the Vuelta right now. The holidays of the few who were able to take them are over, and what we need is for everything to be in order, and my job is to make sure that's the case, so that no problems arise.
Is the path defined and ready?
All set. We have located it perfectly and for some time now. the points on which some intervention may be necessary, for any problems that may arise during this period. But for now, everything is fine.
Just looking at the route, what kind of Vuelta can we expect?
A Vuelta for climbers, like every year, but a little more open. At this time, we can't point to a clear favorite. I think there won't be a dominator like in the other two Grand Tours And I think this too will lead us to a race where anything is possible right to the end. Which is what we organizers would like to have every year.
Having trouble finding a reference name?
It's obvious that if it came Primois Roglic, on which we are counting in principle, then the winner of three Vueltas would be in the running and I think he would start with a certain advantage. But it's also true that seeing teams like Movistar or the same UAE Emirates, the race is certainly very open. Another rider who for me will have many options in this Vuelta is carapaz, which I think will arrive in great shape.
What did you think when people talked about Pogacar at the Vuelta?
I think it would be extraordinary news for us and for him to win it I imagine it would be a dream. But it's clear that Tadej Pogacar did not deceive anyone, from the first moment he said that his schedule it was to do Giro and TourWe all saw the great level he showed in both and it is obvious that certain results, in addition to immense joy, produce mental fatigue and physical tiredness. It would have been extraordinary news for us.Even more so, now that he has the Giro and the Tour, only the Vuelta remains to join the club of those who have won the Big Three. We knew he wouldn't come, it wasn't a surprise.
In Italy, after Nibali, we haven't found any more Grand Tour-worthy riders. Could this year's Vuelta be an opportunity for Spanish riders?
I hope so, because what happens in Spain is a bit like in Italy. We have such a great tradition of riders and winners, that when we don't see new ones, we feel like we're going through a droughtI think there are some good Spaniards this year who performed well in the Tour de France, like Enric Mas and Mikel Landa. I also think there are a rider like Carlos Rodriguez who, if he came to the Vuelta, would have a great chance of achieving a good overall classification. And obviously, as of today the quartet of the best would be completed by Juan Ayuso. At the moment I don't have confirmation that it will come, but I think that between Enric Mas, Mikel Landa and Carlos Rodríguez we would have many options to fight until the end.
As an organizer, which of these works best as an image?
I don't know, I have to be cautious because I can't show preferencesI think everyone has their own style. I think Ayuso is a very aggressive rider, who fights hard and uses a language that the fans really like. Rodriguez is a rider with a lot of class And I think he has extraordinary intelligence in competition. We could say he's a little calmer and more collected than Juan when it comes to expressing himself.
What about Enric Mas?
Enric Mas is more experienced. In the end, the years spent in the group have given him a certain advantage when it comes to reading the racesAnd then, of course, we can't forget Mikel Landa, a rider everyone likes. Because he's a mountain man, a rider who goes on the attack. He's a rider who gives his all when he fights. Ultimately, everyone has their own personality, and as a fan, I'd love for them to fight for the podium. As an organizer, I can't say much more.
How do you expect to be welcomed in Lisbon?
Incredible. We find a very well-prepared, very modern, aesthetically beautiful city, which balances modernity and tradition beautifully. Portugal feels like home. We start from abroad, but we don't stop feeling at home thanks to the collaboration received from all the institutionsWe accepted the challenge and approached the project with great responsibility, because Portugal can be a door worth keeping open. Creating a good bond would open up a wide range of paths for usWe can discuss new proposals without having to relocate or travel great distances, as is the case when we leave from other countries. And this is important in Spain because, like Italy, we are in Southern Europe. We are the southernmost country and this means that our borders are also far from other countries, not like in Central Europe.
Do you think heat will be a theme in the Vuelta?
It always has been. The truth is, heat is something we need to be aware of. Cycling has always had to deal with the heat, because it takes place mainly in summerIt's true that we're going to places where we might encounter high temperatures, like Extremadura or Andalusia, but I don't think we'll find anything different than in other years. Ultimately, the heat is best fought with hydration, and unless the temperatures are unprecedented, I don't think it will influence the development of the race from an organizational point of view. It could certainly be more tiring for riders. Some will do better in the heat, others will regret the cold. It's a circumstance that affects the sport, but I don't think it can prevent the stages from taking place..
Speaking of departures from abroad: there's a lot of talk about the 2025 departure from Turin...
I'd love for this possibility to become a reality, we're working on it. I've never hidden the fact that we have relationships with the Piedmont Region, but I want to be cautious and announce it officially when there is somethingIt's clear that cycling evokes cycling. Spain is a cycling country, Italy is probably the cycling country par excellence. And we want to be with those who speak our same language and above all we are happy when we can do it in such a beautiful country.With so much tradition, so much history, and so many ties to Spain. But Let me be a little cautious about what we still have to announce.I think it will be soon, but I can't say more than that at this time.
