From 2026 Pavel Novak will be a new rider of the Movistar Team, after three years at the court of MBH Bank-Ballan-Csb The farewell has arrived for the boy who came from the Czech Republic to grow upThe spotlight had already been on Novak in the past, but the victory of Snowy Meadow al Giro Next Gen and the third final place behind two athletes of the I have to team up they made it clear that they had a mature rider in front of them (opening photo LaPresse).
The team of Antonio Bevilacqua from next season he will be a professional, and he was counting on Novak's qualities to establish himself in international under-23 racesAt the same time, the Czech would have tested himself in more important competitions, ready to improve further.
Grudgingly
Pavel Novak's farewell is like that of a son, not because there are preferences within the team. But the taciturn climber had moved permanently to the team's apartment in Almé, exactly one floor above where Gianluca Valoti lives. Over time, Novak has become like a son to the Bergamo-born sports director.
"Unfortunately, we will be forced to say goodbye to Pavel (Novak, ed.) – Valoti continues – it was a difficult decision for everyone. He himself thought about it for a few days, but when a WorldTour team arrives the offer is too tempting, how can you refuse?
When did the Movistar offer arrive?
A month ago or so, They called him to tell him they were interested in his profile, then a few weeks passedIt's normal, the team was at the Vuelta and in the end the offer arrived. We all thought about it together because Novak trusts us and involved usUnfortunately, we finally let him go; there was no way we could keep him.
How sorry is it?
I said "unfortunately" because it was very disappointing for us, both from a human and cycling perspective. From a sporting perspective, Having a rider like Novak would have allowed us to approach the leap to professional in a certain way.
We talked about it that day in Prato Nevoso: Novak was supposed to become your point of reference.
True, but how can you say no when a WorldTour team arrives? It's only right that he goes his own way and starts to become great. A team like the Movistar it's tempting for everyoneBecoming a professional is every boy's dream, we would have done it together next year but when an offer like that comes along… And in any case, for us, seeing one of our guys going to the WorldTour is a source of pride., it means we worked well together. If we want the credit, it's partly ours too...
It seems that even Novak was not convinced about leaving you…
He immediately asked me what I thought in his slow, calm tone of voice. I think that leaving a family environment like ours is also difficult for him.You know, he's been living on the first floor of our building in Almé for years. For us he is like a son, always a little pamperedHe's probably afraid he might struggle to find the same thing at Movistar, but I think he'll find the right environment there.
Have WorldTour teams already asked for this in the past?
Cofidis had arrived, then he had done internships with Ineos, Jayco-AlUla, and Q36.5. But in the end, nothing came of it.
Why do you think he was convinced this year?
Movistar was convincing and even Novak himself decided that the right year had come.
Could this be the right team for him?
Certainly yes, Movistar is a WorldTour team but with Italian management and key figuresThere's Formolo who can be an excellent point of reference for Novak.
Will he move to Spain?
We will see. Because his little brother (Filip, ed.) will join him in the continental team, starting next year Movistar will have a development team. The question is whether it will be I have to team up or a satellite team. Both Pavel and Filip are used to spending the winter in Calpe, so they could move permanently to Spain.
How will you start again without Novak?
We'll start again, we're looking for a rider who can replace him, so someone under 23. It's difficult because the best are already in the I have to team up or in the WorldTour. Then again, we have some interesting names at home: Chesini, who won in Romania, Bracalente, Cipollini.
What will it be like not having Novak upstairs anymore?
There won't be anyone to bother you anymore (laughs, ed.). That's not true, Pavel is very calm, you never heard him. In fact, every now and then I went to check if it was still there.
