«I didn't contemplate anything other than going to the races to win. If I said anything else in my speech to the riders – says Contador dryly with a straight look – I would be lying. They must have this beliefThere are some who don't have the ability to win, but others who can. And if they don't think they can do it, it's virtually impossible for them to succeed.. In this sense, I think it's important that they get this message, especially the riders who are now turning professional."
Despite being one of the three partners of the Eolo-Kometa, Catching Alberto Contador on official occasions is like following him on the climbs when he started to sprintYou get distracted for a moment and he disappears. And so it is this time too. Appointment after dinner, but he arrives and greets you, saying that he's tired and you don't have a great face either.
"See you tomorrow morning?"
"We're not here tomorrow morning, in fact we're leaving this evening."
And then the gunslinger (in the opening photo by Maurizio Borserini) he remembers interviews from times gone by and lets himself be convinced. He doesn't look great, and we're sure he's not doing much better. It's around 22pm, we promise to be quickFrance knocked Morocco out of the World Cup. Spezia Calcio is also present at the Oliva hotel.The one in the corner looks like Maldini's son, we don't know who the others are. But we recognized Contador clearly.
You look exhausted: what's it like having a team?
A coin with two sides. The bright side is that you're in the world you like and you are giving back to cycling as much as cycling has given youThe bad part is that there are many headaches.
No more leg pain, in short…
Having a team means having an impressive number of staff. Because it's not just the professionals, but also the under 23s and the juniorsWe're seeing juniors moving up to pros, and those who move up are competing in their first year. The three categories are important. So much staff and the financial effort it requires. It's not easy to find sponsors to support the project. Things are moving, but ultimately it's mostly a headache. Cycling was easier.
Do you have a role model? A few days ago, Kreuziger talked about Riis…
Bjarne is very good, though I no longer believe in a one-person model for teamsI believe that it is difficult for one person alone to manage everything. A team comprises many different aspects, so you need to rely on elements you trust.Finding people you can trust, who can do the job under the best conditions, is not easy. In our case the management passes through the hands of Ivan Basso, my brother Fran and myAnd this allows us to divide roles and responsibilities and not leave any out.
What does working for Eurosport mean to you?
It's something that enchants me, I really like. I'm in the race not only with the team, but also among those who have been my companions, in the races that have given so much to my life. Today there are young riders who have seen me run and for me it is beautiful. Eurosport It helps me a lot to mitigate this lack of competition that I still have. I miss racing.
Valverde also stopped this year. Do you think Spanish cycling has found new strength?
I think we should be very happy. We have a good present and a good future too. Enric Mas is a very consistent riderI don't know about winning the Tour, because there are riders who are more favored than him, but he's a great rider. I think the Vuelta is in his legs.He has already been second on 2-3 occasions, that shirt is within his reach. As for Ayuso and Rodriguez, we don't know where their limit is.Two riders who were impressive at the Vuelta. Ayuso finished third and could have won the final stage if he had had a better burst of speed. While Carlos Rodriguez was penalized by the fall, but I think that with these two names Spanish cycling has taken a breath of fresh air.
