La blue shirt placed on his shoulders in 2022, that rose conquered by his captain Roglic in 2023 and the yellow and black one definitively put away in the closet this autumn after a decade at Visma. Koen Bouwman looks with curiosity to 2025 which will see him wearing a new outfit, that of Jayco-AlUla, the Australian team that will be banking heavily on Ben O'Connor in the Grand Tours next year.
The three-week races are daily bread for the 30-year-old Dutchman, who wants to return to them after watching them as a spectator in 2024. The success at the Coppi e Bartali International Week in spring, in fact, did not bring luck for the rest of the year and the desire for revenge is great for the rider Orange who will turn 31 on December 2nd.
Finally on vacation?
Actually not really, because I just bought a house with my girlfriend and they just gave us the keys, so I have a few appointments and jobs to do.We decided to take it in the city where I was born and raised: Ulft, in the eastern part of the Netherlands, near the border with Germany. I had thought about moving to Andorra, Girona or somewhere else, but since I'm often on retreat, when I'm at home I prefer to really be at home and in this place I feel that way.
Your 2024 ended with the Tour of Guangxi: what is your assessment?
I'd say it was a mix of contrasting feelings. It started in Australia, almost unexpectedly, but I already felt good even without much training, and it was positive, I'd say, until Romandie. At Paris-Nice, as well as at Coppi e Bartali, I reached the highest level of the seasonI'd been aiming to win at least one race since the winter, and I'd say I achieved that goal with this last one. Then I went to train at altitude. I wasn't supposed to do any Grand Tours, but I was a reserve for the Giro d'Italia, so I wanted to be ready in case of cancellations or injuries.I went to Romandie and unfortunately got sick there. I had a fever of almost 40°C for a week, and so, even though I got the call for the Giro, I had to withdraw. Since the Tour of Norway, I have never found the right feeling again.In Poland it was nothing special, then I did a few one-day races and in Hamburg I had a bad crash, cracking some ribs and causing kidney problems. I did everything I could to be there in Guangxi to give my last support to the team and finish my long adventure in yellow and black in the saddle and not with a fall.
How did it go?
I arrived in China with just 25/30 hours of training and it was a very tough ride. I was really on the edge the last few days, but in the end I'm happy I was there and thus closed the chapter with Visma.
How was the last season after Roglic's departure, and what do you take away from this decade?
2023 was a crazy year because all we were missing was a Monument, but everything else was incredible. 2024 was the complete opposite because, after a season like that, we were unable to achieve any of the objectives set in the winter., also due to several unfortunate episodes. I would save Matteo Jorgenson, who had a great season and showed what he is capable of, but otherwise All the leaders' falls have shattered dreams of gloryMaybe a year like this can still do the team good, to make it clear that What we achieved in 2023 was something out of the ordinary and resting on our laurels is not enough.Overall, it wasn't a terrible season because we all fought as hard as we could, but at the same time, it wasn't easy. We saw that in China too, where we were only six due to various ailments. In the end, though, you have to accept it for what it was.
What made you change teams?
The turning point was already last winter, when we started planning 2024 with the staff. At that point, you know your schedule for the first part of the season and even a bit of the second. It was a big surprise for me not to be on the list for a Grand Tour and I was very disappointed about the program. They assigned me, and the preparation was completely different from 2023. That's when I realized it was time for a change. We talked a bit with the team, but I started looking around. Around mid-April, discussions with Jayco-AlUla began and in a short time we found an agreement.
What do you expect from the new challenge?
I am very happy with this choice and I'm sure that this way I'll be able to focus on the Grand Tours again and have some chances to win one-day races.. I don't know yet if I will support Ben (O'Connor, ed.) for the general classification in a Grand Tour or if I will help Dylan (Groenewegen, ed.) for the sprints, because everything is still to be decided. In December I will understand something more, but I can't wait, especially to get back to having freedom in some races.
What do you dream of winning, if you could choose?
Difficult question, but maybe I would say another stage at the Giro or the Vuelta: it would be a dream to arrive with arms raised.
If you had the ball, which Grand Tour would you like to do?
Well, one day I would like to go to Tour de FranceBut the Giro and Vuelta pairing also intrigues me, so I really wouldn't know which one to choose. I only know that The three-week races suit my characteristics and I also love the whole preparation phase to get there.I hope to show good form right from the start and then we'll see what happens.
You helped Roglic win a Giro: what advice would you give O'Connor to repeat a similar feat?
Well, he may not be at the level of Vingegaard, Roglic and Pogacar, but he is undoubtedly very close to them and this year has proven to be one of the contenders when it comes to Grand ToursHis legs will do the talking, but I'm sure that with our team we can help him in this challenge.
How exciting was the pink ride with Primoz?
The best moment was at Mount Lussari. From the first camp at altitude, Primoz only spoke about Mount Lussari and had already been there on foot in winter, during a walk with his wifeIt was certain that the Giro would be decided there. It wasn't easy because during the three weeks he had moments when he wasn't feeling great, and it was special to experience all those moments so closely, both the positive and the negative. It was incredible, even with the chain slipping. When he crossed the finish line and we knew he had won, it was a moment I will never forget., an explosion of emotions.
What do you think of his recent statement that he will race where Pogacar is not at the start?
I know Roglic quite well from the nine years we spent together and the great relationship that binds us. I can say that 90% of what he says is just for fun.I know he wants to win the Tour more than anything else, although another success at the Giro or at the Vuelta they would be really great, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him again in France.
How did you get into cycling as a child?
I played badminton and football, but Since I was a child I asked my mum and dad to give me a bike and if I remember correctlyThe first came when I was 4 years old. I was playing soccer quite well at the regional level, but when I started training three times a week on the pitch in addition to cycling, I realized it was time to make a choice.
