VITORIA GASTEIZ – Walking in the village of Tour de France it happens to meet Joaquim “Purito” Rodriguez. The great Spaniard is at the stand of Santini, which supplies the official jerseys of the Grande Boucle. Purito is the Spanish ambassador for the Italian brand.
Many fans stop for a photo or pass by to say hello, one is Alberto counterThe two men fist bump, respecting the health protocol imposed by the Tour.
A couple of jokes to break the ice. "Do you know that you have many fans in Italy?" we tell him. "Yes, a lot... then even more after that Giro," he replies, "but I have to say I had quite a few in a lot of places."
Purito, let's start with a mutual friend with bici.PRO, the biomechanic Alexander Mariano…So many anecdotes. Did you drive him crazy?
Yes, “Sandro” is my Italian dad. I met him in 2004 during the Saunier-Duval race, and it's true: he was the only one who could get me on a bike as well as I said. He's the person who knew me the most about my riding style.
A Spaniard in the Tour who started from Spain, the first stages, especially the opening one, would have been your stage…
Unfortunately I'm old (laughs, ed.), all this should have happened a few years ago and It would have been a nice stop for me. But I'll say they rode at a high pace. The stage was tough, but not terribly tough, and soon a small group of 40 riders formed. Cycling today is quite a bit faster than ours.
Would Purito have been competitive in this cycling?
I don't think so. And I'm almost certain of it. I say this because I ran differently. A more explosive way. I liked a slightly slower race and then push hard, aiming for a big difference in pace. But as I said before, today they go full throttle right from the start. And I remember well that the high, constant speed was killing me. The leaders don't spend too much time watching each other. If they have to start with 60 kilometers to go, they just go. I liked saving my energy for the final sprint.
Do you like the undulating course of this Tour? And do you like the new, rather undulating routes in general?
A lot. Just think about these first stages: both those in the Basque Country and the Pyrenees. The last week is perhaps the least demanding, but Overall it's a tough and beautiful route for climbers… and for attackers.
Do you think it will still be a two-way conversation? Or could someone else be involved?
I think the two of them—Vingegaard and Pogacar—are a step ahead of everyone else. Something special must happen for one of them not to win the Tour and the other to finish second.
Mikel Landa said that he and today's Spaniards have had to uphold a significant legacy: yours, that of Purito, Contador, and Valverde. Do you think it's a burden for them?
It's not a burden, but it's certainly true that for Spain that era, our era, was spectacular. There were several of us: Alejandro (Valverde), Oscar (Freire), Samuel (Sanchez), me, Alberto (Contador)... One would win the Tour, another the Giro, another the Lombardy, another the Olympics…
Mamma mia!
Eh – he sighs proudly – Let's say that at the races we normally went to there was a Spaniard who won. But that doesn't mean there isn't good cycling in Spain right now. I mean, comparisons are always a bit harsh for me. It's like comparing our cycling to this one. Ours was good, this one is just as good. Actually, From the outside, I like this one better than ours. Technically, the other suited me better, but both were great. And the level of Spanish cycling is good, too. Maybe there are fewer super-strong riders than in our time.
The incoming Spanish generation seems even stronger. You have Juan Ayuso, Carlos Rodriguez...
E There are other names still behind among the youth teams. I'm thinking for example of Arrieta or Beloki's son, Markel, who won the national junior time trial championship and was second in the road race. There are riders who are growing a lot. I believe another very strong generation is on the way. It's just a matter of a few years.
So tell us: what is Spain's secret?
Cycling itself, because It's part of our culture. We have a “tremendous” cycling tradition. I have quit almost ten years ago, but when I walk around the street everyone knows me. In the Basque Country then… In Spain, cycling is lived. People are passionate about our sport. And if your family has a great cycling atmosphere, the kids will ride. And I think that's the most important thing.
Cycling thrives on duels, from the historic black-and-white ones to the current ones, including your own. Still in Spain, there's one that promises to be a real battle: Ayuso and Carlos Rodriguez. Is there any talk of it in Spain?
There's no talk about it yet, but we'll talk about it: Safety. For now there are still great riders like Marc Soler, Mikel Landa same, bilbao hair that are pulling Spanish cycling. Then I think even by the end of this year Juan Ayuso he will be the strongest Spanish cyclist.
What makes you say that?
We saw at the Tour of Switzerland how he behaved, how he raced and not just for the result. And I liked how he reacted after the knee problem, this resurrection of his. He returned to racing in the Romandie, after many months without racing, and he won. It shows he's a guy with talent. He was capable of finishing third in the Vuelta at such a young age. Ayuso will surely be among the greats... and not just Spanish ones.
Which of the two do you like more?
Ayuso: more dynamic. Carlos Rodriguez it's very strong, but it's more regular, less conspicuous, ideal for the Grand Tours. While Ayuso, as I tell him, is a “murderer”! When he sees the arrival… he does not forgive.
So Ayuso is Purito and Carlos Rodriguez is Indurain!
Ah, ah, ah… Purito is not at that level!
