PADERNO DUGANO (MI) – Solo Jonathan Milan he knows how much he missed Jasper Stuyven's pull in this Giro d'Italia, If up until the second day of rest it was a potentially relevant factor, now we officially have the certaintyThe work done by the Belgian Soudal Quick Step in support of Paul Magnier It was worth a large share of the French rider's third stage victory here at the Giro d'Italia. And if today in Rome the Belgian team will be able to celebrate the conquest of the cyclamen jersey, it will also be thanks to Jasper Stuyven.
Lidl-Trek also knows how much Jasper Stuyven is missing Luca Guercilena, who told us this in last week's interview. But the Belgian's choice to change team and join Soudal Quick-Step was dictated by the desire to find space to show off his qualities.We reached Stuyven at the Soudal Quick-Step hotel on his last rest day of this Giro, to hear from him about his choices and changes.
«With Luca Guercilena – he says – we had a very honest conversation, after so many seasons together it was right that it was this wayIt was a choice made by Lidl-Trek, who saw things differently from what I would have liked from a tactical point of view. They didn't think I was suitable for the role of leader in the Classics. If I had accepted their vision I would have stayed, it wasn't a question of money but of personal ambitions."
In a certain sense, you have demonstrated that ambitions have gone hand in hand with results…
I think I showed that I am a leader in every respect and that I deserve this role. Maybe I am not Van Der Poel or Pogacar, but all in all I did very well in the Classics. A third place at Roubaix, a top 10 at Tour of Flanders and Sanremo are not results to be thrown away.It was great that Soudal Quick-Step gave me this opportunity and that I was able to reward them with great performances.
As a Belgian rider, what does it mean to race for a team like Soudal Quick-Step?
It's beautiful, a feeling I've never felt before. I've always been in an international team, but it's great to be in an environment where people speak your native language.It's something I've always enjoyed, like competing in the national team and speaking Flemish. I feel appreciated and happy.
The time had come for a change…
Yes, not because anything bad happened with Lidl-Trek, but just to be in a new environment, to find some motivation. Of course, joining a Belgian team made me feel a bit at home.
You also brought your experience to the service of Paul Magnier, how are you getting along with him?
This is only his second Grand Tour, I'm helping him in the sprints and I'm also giving a hand to the teamNot that everything I say is always the truth, I just want to give my advice and contribute to the team. There are also many other experienced riders here, it's about talking and communicating all togetherEveryone contributes in their own way and tries to teach Paul that the competition exists, but what matters is also outside.
In what sense?
We have a lot of transfers. In a Grand Tour it is not only the bike race that drains your energy, but also many other aspectsMagnier has to listen, or try to put into practice what we tell him, then he will learn along the way.
Is there an example in this Giro where your idea, your experience, was useful to Magnier?
I think that the first flights that we won have really arrived because both Fabio Van den Bossche and I analyzed every aspect of the race and what could happenWe were 100 percent right both times, which helped us stay calm and united. These are two examples where perhaps the experience of how to predict the progress of a sprint and how the other teams will react has allowed us to think ahead and make the right predictions.
Has your role changed in this respect?
No, I think that especially in the last two years with Milan it was the same. Theuns and I made a plan and looked forward to the final stretch. trying to anticipate what the other teams would do.
Magnier and Milan are so different, aren't they?
I don't agree, I think they are two sprinters who need space to sprint and are very strong. So for me they are quite similar.
There will be some differences…
Milan is more nervous when running, while Magnier is more distracted, making it harder for him to concentrate for five hours straight. But he's young, it's part of his development.
You have a lot of experience with them and I'm not asking you to judge, but how do you see this Giro and the difficulties of Lidl-Trek?
I'm happy that we managed to win our stages, but at the same time I would be happy if Milan managed to break free. I don't think it's any secret that they're struggling a bit this season., but that doesn't mean it's a disaster. They have strong riders and there was also a bit of bad luck.They are working hard to turn the situation around, but it's often not that easy.
On the contrary, you are in a very positive moment…
It's the same thing, when you're winning a lot and you're in a positive flow, where everything works more easily, you feel more relaxed and calm.
What are your ambitions for the second half of the season?
Let's start by finishing the Giro, I think that's the most important thing at the moment. Then I'll have a busy summer with the Tour de France, where I hope to be part of an equally strong team capable of achieving some stage victories. We'll see at the end of the season, but I'd like to go to the World Cup, not necessarily as captain.However, it's a nice course where I can be of great help to the leaders we have in the team, both Van Aert and Evenepoel will have the opportunity to be competitive.
