We had left Karel Vaček (Nucci photo in the opening) under the Innsbruck downpour. That day the last stage of the Tour of the Alps and the Czech told us about the difficult situation of his brother Mathias, but also about his own… which wasn't entirely rosy. He would have had to change teams, he would no longer be an U23: somehow there was a sense of haste in sorting out his future.
Here is the Corratec
But now here he is again smiling. Now the clouds of Innsbruck are behind us and Karel starts again with the jersey of Team Corratec.
“In the end,” Vacek says, “I managed to become a full-fledged professional. I think last year I returned to the level I deserve, the one that even Italians have known me for since I was a junior. The results achieved were good and I'm happy that Corratec gave me the opportunity to race with them this year and show off my skills.
"I will try to repay the team with results and a truly professional attitude."
Vacek was supposed to go to Drone-Hopper actually, then we know that things didn't go well for Savio's team and so his managers, the Careras, helped him find this solution.
«It's not just a solution, but it's a very important step», Vacek is keen to clarify.
Karel and Italy
Vacek arrived in Italy early, he was 16 years old. He had started racing with us as a sophomore. At the time, he was racing for Team Giorgi.
«I lived in Italy for five years – says Vacek – because After the students and juniors with the Giorgi team I moved to Colpack and also for this reason I finished school in Bergamo.
«It has always been a dream of mine to race in Italy, But unfortunately, there are no more Italian teams in the WorldTour. I used to look at teams like Lampre or Liquigas... but I think that with this new team we can do well and maybe, little by little, we can return to the old days. I hope Italy can get back to having some major teams. In the meantime, we're doing the Giro, and that's a great start."
"Italy is now my second home and I love everything about this country."
With Mathias…
Yet Vacek doesn't currently live in Italy. Nor even in his native Czech Republic. The Prague native, in fact, he is stationed in Spain, with his brother Mathias (two years younger), pro' in force to Trek-Segafredo.
"I actually live all over the place! I also move around based on the teams I'm on, trying to meet their needs," the Bohemian continues.
For a couple of years now, my brother and I have been renting an apartment in Malaga, in southern Spain, during the winter. I've been having a great time there, the training is great... And this winter too, I've been taking my time preparing. Then this season I think I'll come here to Italy. I'd like a quiet area away from traffic... especially after the bad news of late. That way everything will be easier, being close to the team, being able to travel with them, going to the airport..."
"With my brother? He's the one to watch now! Even though he's younger, we've swapped roles... The dream would be to be on the team together again one day."
From Saudi Arabia to the Giro
Since yesterday Karel Vacek has been involved in the Saudi Tour. Like his teammates he will fight to earn a place in the Tour of Italy, the most important showcase, the dream… the race of races.
The Bohemian is a good rider and has all the credentials to perform well. His winter preparation, as he himself said, was good, and now he "just" needs to capitalize on the many kilometers he's racked up.
«I was born a climber – says Vacek – but then over time I learned to defend myself on other terrains too. In the new cycling you have to adapt to the fastest routes, even if I'm certainly not a sprinter. But in the classics I hold up well and All in all, I like time trials too. Then the more difficult the race, the better it is for me and so I will try to do my best in the toughest races."
