Unzue crosses her legs, smiles and nods listening to the question, then he begins to speak following the thread of a conversation that comes from afar. The manager of the Movistar Team He has the aura of wisdom that was previously held by José Miguel Echavarri, Indurain's mentor, who spoke with the charisma of an oracle or a priest of cycling.
The topic is team time, which on the one hand he says goodbye to Valverde and on the other he has found Enric Mas again at unexpected levels.
Unzue's astonishment
Of the Majorcan we talked about with Piepoli who trains himAnd the Apulian himself had told us about Mas' difficulties during the Tour, terrified of descents and other factors that are difficult to decipher. Instead, at the Vuelta, after four weeks of painstaking work, the turning point was clear and unexpected.
«Incredibly and happily I would add – says Unzue – after the many things that have happened this year, the fact that he was able to do that Vuelta and then the season finale in Italy was honestly unthinkableI expected this to be his level. But after so much misfortune, the fact that he was able to react... At the Tour, he withdrew with three stages to go due to Covid. Plus, there was this problem with the descents. I can't understand what changed to see him like this at the Vuelta. It amazed me more for his mental recovery, than for his level on the bike. That was already the case at the Tirreno-Adriatico, but that’s where all the problems started…».
What happened?
We don't know, I am things that are difficult to understandIt started with the fall at Tirreno. Then the one at the Basque Country and also in Dauphiné, where his confidence was completely destroyedHe had started the Tour very well. He saved himself in the riskiest stages. We went towards the climbs and on the descents it started to stallIn 50 years of cycling, I've never seen anything like this, I'm telling you honestly. But we always had the confidence that As it had arrived, the problem could have passed. And it really was.
Piepoli told us about the great work he did with him.
You know Leo well, you know how committed he is. And he did an incredible job of restoring his confidence.Well done to the technician who accompanied him on the descents. Everyone worked on it a bit and it was really important, because he started again. It was incredible how he lost confidence in a moment and amazing how he got it back and everything changed again.
Could Valverde's absence have paid the price?
It could be, but I don't know if that's why. I am convinced that having Alejandro close to him gives him the peace of mind to perform better.This is a reality. Ultimately, like all these young people, there is a need for a time to be able to lead a project that requires great responsibilityI think this experience was very important and I think he is already ready to be one of the greats.
Also because in the end Valverde said enough...
And I'm happy because I see him happy. He enjoys the bike, after 21 seasons as a professional where he started at the top, continued at the top and after all this time he is still at the topHe started out as one of the favourites for Lombardy, which means that for 21 years we had the privilege of living next to someone like him.
Like him?
One who he never talked about a moment of form, who won in January, February, March, April, May at the Giro, July at the Tour, the world championship at the end of the year… He won all year round. Alejandro made the exceptional things he did seem normal to us. But in the meantime, his list of achievements has been filled with completely different races. And then you understand the quality of this man. And then it's incredible that he continued to have fun until the end.He likes to train, eat well, and scout the routes. These are things that sometimes weigh on young people, but they're probably part of his greatness.
You don't last long without the right sacrifices...
But he always faced them with an incredible level of professionalismAlways willing to do well in the race you sent him to. We've had many great riders on the team. But without a doubt someone like him who has allowed us to win wherever we go… We've seen him win time trials, beat Petacchi, we've seen him in week-long races, in the Grand Tours, on the podium at the World Championships, in the classics... He's done it all and won them all!
And now, according to Unzue, how does the team's history change?
We saw Indurain quit. I think that the history of the men who preceded us teaches us a lotI trust that those who come behind are capable of support the history of this teamI have a lot of faith in these young people. For them, Alejandro's departure will mean having more opportunitiesIf Alejandro was there, we would have run for him to win. On the other hand, Seeing Enric's level, I think he is consolidating himself as a great leader.
What will he do when he grows up?
Our Customers a contract for the next two yearsI did it with the idea that he simply didn't have to think about his future while he was running. He has an agreement to allow him to discover cycling from this other point of view, so that he can find his place and pass on his experience. And where he can feel happy once again in the cycling environment.
