«It's very hot here too – says Vlasov, fresh from signing with Bora-Hansgrohe – I'm quite fresh thoughAfter the Giro I rested a lot. Then I went to Livigno. The Olympics were the first race after the national championships, so I knew it was going to be a tough day. Too bad it was just I fell in the first stage of the Vuelta a Burgos, because it still hurts a little. The Return It's very hard, so I'll take it step by step."
Destination Bora
The Spanish race which starts today with the Burgos time trial will be the last great Giro of Alexander Vlasov with the shirt ofAstanaRumours about the Russian's departure had already been gathering pace in 2020, when he had unexpectedly changed prosecutor and he seemed to be fully committed to Team Ineos Grenadiers. But the market changes and having released from Sagan's engagement, the Bora Hansgrohe he found the right arguments to convince him.
The Olympic race was the first after the national championships, a very tough test… In the Olympic time trial, 20th place, 3'51" behind Roglic
The Olympic race was the first after the national championships, a very tough test… In the Olympic time trial, 20th place, 3'51" behind Roglic
Future at the Tour
«Aleksandr is certainly one of the greatest talents in stage racing – said Ralf Denk, manager of the German team – and we are very happy that he has decided to join us, despite there being interest from other teams. With him we will definitely aim for the Grand ToursIn the medium term the goal is the Tour de France, but he still has to learn and grow, so that could be easier at the Giro or the Vuelta».
No fear
Easy is an adjective that is difficult to apply next to the Grand Tours, but we understand the meaning of the statement of the German manager, in whose… house they are growing Blacksmith e Aleotti who will inevitably be involved alongside the incoming Russian.
«I had some proposals – says Vlasov – and since we are talking about work, I found it interesting to have new experiencesThe fact that Sagan's group has left makes the team want to move on to the Tours and this is important to me. Before signing, we also spoke with Astana, then the decision was made. It doesn't scare me; in fact, it's a great motivation. I spoke with the training staff, although I don't yet know who will follow me directly."
Monster at the 18th stage
But enough now, let's talk about the Vuelta. Also because it is Vlasov is the first to not want to talk too much about 2022, still having such great challenges ahead in the present.
«The Vuelta – he says – is very tough, with a series of demanding stages, including the uphill finish on the third day, which could hurt precisely because of the crash in Burgos. Then definitely the 18th stage, with this Atu d'el Gamoniteiru that everyone talks about with terror.And then the time trial on the last day, almost 34 kilometers, not exactly flat and in my opinion decisive. I think I have a great group, with almost all Spaniards, except Natarov and me. For the climb, Izagirre and Oscar Rodriguez are there. For the plain, "Luisle" Sanchez and Fraile are there., I think we can do it."
Up to Lombardy
And just as it is said that a good portion of the Spanish block of the Kazakh team is about to move to Movistar, Vlasov's suggestions in the calendar do not stop at the Vuelta.
«I prefer to take one step at a time – he admits – the federation asked me to participate in the world championships, even if they don't have a path that is very suitable for meAnd then I'll get to the Lombardy, first passing through the Tre Valli Varesine and other classics like the Giro dell'Emilia (which I won in 2020, ed.). For the rest, at least for this year, I'll live my usual life and I think for now I'll keep my residence in Andorra. Then we'll see about the future.
Top of the class
At the Vuelta to improve your Giro placing? In Milan he finished in fourth place, after having been second until the day of ZoncolanSteep climbs are tough to handle. Last year, he finished second on the Angliru, just 16 seconds behind Hugh Carthy. On the Zoncolan, leading the race, he lost 1'01" to Simon Yates, who snatched second place overall. Two different approaches to the mountain, with the hope that he and the team can and should run alongside or around the top of the class this time too.
