With 7 wins this season, Dusan Rajović saw the doors of the WorldTour open, arriving at the Bahrain Victorious. For the Serbian it represents an important step, the closing of the circle that had opened a couple of years ago, when he seemed to be launched by good results in the Delko TeamDusan was calm in 2021, but the failure of the French professional team suddenly threw him into despair. Accepting the Team Corratec, he took a step back and it seemed like his dream of going pro would remain just that. Instead, it was the right choice.
Rajovic, however, has learned that one can never rest on one's laurels, nor feel satisfied and contented: «The season went well – he says – it would be strange to criticize 7 victories, but I am convinced that I could have done much betterAfter the problems with the Delko bankruptcy, we had a solid season, thanks in part to a good schedule around the world. Unfortunately, it ended early; in August I contracted mononucleosis and had to end the season early.
What does joining Bahrain mean to you? Is there also a bit of revenge after the Delko affair?
It's always been my goal to get into the WorldTour, and given how things went in 2021, I was really worried it wouldn't stay that way. I found a contract with one of the strongest teams in the world, I know that the most important races are ahead of me And this makes me really want to get back into the game. The Delko incident was a hiccup that delayed my progress: I'm convinced I was getting the results I needed to reach the "big leagues," but luckily I managed to do so otherwise. However, I can't say that it is a rematch, rather a thread that has been reconnected with the past.
You've won seven races, often in sprints, but you say you're not a sprinter. What kind of rider are you, then?
It's true that many people think I'm a sprinter, but those who know me and have seen my races know that I defend myself well on climbs, especially on short ones and that my ideal dimension is when I enter a breakaway with a small group, then yes I can make my speed skills countI think I'm a classics rider, even quite challenging ones.
Did your victories make you popular in Serbia?
Cycling remains a niche sport in my area. In Serbia, team sports have always been a priority: basketball and soccer are the most popular and the target of young people. Then there's tennis: Since Novak Djokovic arrived, everyone has been playing tennis and they watch his matches which have a huge share. Cycling is a small sport even if in the amateur and youth fields and also in mountain biking there has been an increase in practitioners. I'm not very well known yet, my victories haven't received much attention, but I hope that things will change soon...
What do you take away from your experience at Team Corratec?
I said it, if I went pro it's thanks to the Italian team. I found a great group of exceptional people. In Italy, I made many friends, and I even learned some of the language, along with Spanish and French.I was sad to leave that group, also because I would have liked to stay in Italy longer, but with friends and other riders we stayed in touch, and something lasting was built.
We know your dream is to race the Tour de France. What does it mean to you?
The Tour is something special because no Serb has ever run it. It's seen as something alien here, but it's still cycling's premier event, and I truly want to be the first from my country to compete in it and perhaps even leave my mark. In general, though, I also want to "savor" the other Grand Tours; I hope to have the opportunity soon.
Bahrain is a very strong team in the classics. Is there one you particularly like and would like to win one day?
I believe that overall the Belgian classics are all quite suitable for meI raced there as a junior, I saw those roads, I even won and above all I saw the warmth of the people around me. It's something special, I don't deny that The first thought I had when I arrived at Bahrain Victorious was precisely that of the opportunities that are opening up before me to race in those parts.. And maybe even do something important…
