Andrea Vendrame is in Lille, dealing with all those unavoidable commitments at the start of the season. If we add to this... the news of Decathlon's arrival as a sponsor and the change of brand for the bikes, here the days become hectic. La AG2R Citroen From January 1st it will become Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team and the riders will switch from BMC bikes to Van Rysels.
«We are immersed in the launch of the new season – Vendrame tells us in one of the calm moments – The official presentation was on Monday. These days we are doing medical checks, photos and everything necessary for the new features of 2024".
Will the bike change too? Have you already seen the new one?
Yes, I've seen one, but I haven't ridden one yet. We'll be doing that from 2024 onwards, until then we'll still be using BMCs. But with the addition of Van Rysel, everything will change.: new wheels, new tires, new groupset and even new helmets and glasses.
You finished your first season after changing trainers. How do you feel about it?
I had a good time, it was a drastic change because I switched to training at a higher pace for a shorter time. I would say the balance is positive, if I had to give a score I would say 6,5 because the victory was missing. It wasn't a bad season, though; I achieved a lot of placings. I also had a few unlucky episodes at the best moments.
Catching Covid at the Giro wasn't the best thing...
Not only that. I was also forced to withdraw from the Strade Bianche due to a crash, which also prevented me from participating in the Tirreno-Adriatico. I had arrived at the Giro quite well, but first the fall and after Covid they put me out of action. At the Vuelta I also had a virus on the first rest day that put me out of contention, even though I then finished the race. There have been three setbacks at three key moments of the season.
But you still came away with a positive outcome, why?
Because in changing the trainer and consequently in distorting my work program, I got positive responses. Initially it shocked me, but the benefits were visible, I didn't win but I achieved many placingsI had talked about it with my trainer: 2023 would be a year of adaptation for my body.
How did you find this new working method during the competition?
The feedback is positive, just think of Laigueglia. It is a race where there is a constant change of pace with high values for shorter sectionsChanging my training method has made me more prepared for these situations. Even at the Vuelta, before contracting the virus, I was doing well, considering my third place in the second stage.
How has the working method changed at home?
Training at a higher pace, I simulate race situations, so I can be ready for the appointmentsBefore, doing a lot of medium pace, I needed to run to find my race pace.
Looking to the future, a goal for 2024?
Definitely winning, after all teams look for points and I am a rider who can bring them. The team knows this and asks me.Every race I enter must be a win or at least a point-scoring effort. I expect to be even more prepared for the important events.
You've been at AG2R since 2020 and will stay there, at least, until 2025. How do you see this big change?
We are only at the beginning, little by little we will get to know all the new figures and companions. It no longer seems like that "family" team, but a real multinational where everyone has their own roleIn my opinion, this is positive for us athletes because it brings more specialization.
Have you already bonded with any new classmates?
Not one in particular, also because we haven't seen each other much so far due to our individual commitments these days. I saw a lot of myself in Sam Bennet.
In what sense?
He doesn't speak French, only English, like I did when I arrived in 2020. But many teammates don't know English, you know, a French team, with French sponsors.…But little by little we're helping each other and we're coming together a lot. Now things have improved a lot, more and more people are speaking English, even at the table both languages are usedBut I'm sure he'll adapt too, like we all did.
