In his first year as U23, Jarno Widar He is considered one of the major Belgian prospects. He was much talked about last year, especially for his repeated victories on our roads, but since then a lot has changed also because Widar, who runs in the Lotto DSnty Development Team he is proving to be increasingly reliable as a stage racer too.
The victory at theAlpes Isere Tour he somewhat redesigned his start to the season which had not left him too satisfied: «It wasn't exceptional, but that's normal, I think, being a debutant in the category. Plus, there were some physical problems. Before May, except for a victory in a Dutch race, I hadn't achieved much."
Last season you said you didn't know yet which team you would join. Why did you choose that? Lot, since he is not in the WorldTour?
I think it is the team best suited to my characteristics, the right choice to emerge with the necessary time, in a prestigious team that operates at the highest level. The fact that it's not in the WorldTour is very marginal, the races are the same and the team is regarded as a top-flight team.
How much did the fact that Lotto is Belgian influence your choice?
It was important because it allowed me to continue training at home and have the team headquarters nearby. It's an important value, let's say a sort of continuity with what I've done up to now.
You've already had experience with the first team. Is there a big difference with your team?
I wouldn't say so. I've been racing with the main team since the first time at Laigueglia. It is clear that the first team raises everything to the highest level, but in terms of professionalism, we're also very high. The value of racing and the competition are changing; everything is much bigger.
Now you're starting to emerge in stage races too, finishing 2nd at the Isard and 1st at the Alpes Isère. What's changed after last year's many one-day race victories?
I think I've always been inclined towards stage races. For now I've focused on those, then at the end of the season I'll take stock of the situation. To understand my characteristics, whether I'm a leaderboard finisher or more a partial finisher. Now I'll move on a little bit.
Tell us about your victory at Alpes Isère…
I was quite confident in my chances, I knew that the decisive stage was the final one where everything was at stake and I was only one second behind the Frenchman VerschurenIt was a stage with some short, rather steep climbs. I monitored the race and when the Spaniard Parra he stretched out I followed him. He was aiming for a partial victory, I was looking at the standings so our objectives would coincide. At that point it was done.
Now you will come to the Giro Next Gen, what will be your goal, to win stages and race for the general classification?
I will go for the general classification with the goal of the final podium. I studied the route carefully, I think that the third e the sixth stage will be decisive in building the ranking And I want to be ready, to take the initiative. I've always had a good time in Italy, and it's also brought me a lot of luck...
There are now many very strong young cyclists in Belgium: is your generation more attracted to cycling or football?
Good question. We have a very qualified generation, the results say so, but we will have to see in the future if we are really strong.There's certainly a lot of attention paid to cycling, we have excellent examples at the highest level, but I can't say whether this is enough to supplant football.
Will you have other opportunities to run for the first team?
There are opportunities, but The calendar for my category is very full, there is certainly no shortage of commitments, also because they are mostly stage races. Considering these and the necessary recovery times, I don't know if there will be an opportunity to race with the older ones again, but it's certainly not a concern, I'm going on my way.
