FLORENCE – There was one night left before the start of the Tour de France number 111 and with Joxean Fernandez Matxin We were talking about the first stage the following day, that is, today. From Florence to Rimini: 206 kilometers, almost 3.700 meters of elevation gain, countless curves and climbs, and 176 unruly riders (instagram photo above – @alenmilavec).
Clearly the technician of the UAE Emirates he thought about his boys' race and pogacar in particular. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed. The riders were relaxed. Someone was in their room, Almeida he was chatting in the hall with his manager… Alone Auyso he was wandering around with a hint of tension, dressed as a rider and with his shoes in his hand.
Matxin, here we go again. Another super challenge awaits you. How did this month go between the Giro and the Tour?
Good, really good. Especially for the satisfaction of a Tour of Italy It was wonderful, it went as we wanted, a very peaceful and important week of rest for Tadej and also for the next three weeks of work. It was very intense, high-quality work.
So you're arriving at this Tour as you wanted?
Yup, We did a test this week and it was perfect. And this has given everyone even more peace of mind. Even his teammates say Tadej is going strong. He's got a great group. Things are really going well.
Florence-Rimini: Everyone's waiting for you to make a move, which is only right, given that Vingegaard might not be at his best. What kind of run can we expect from you?
We clearly have a plan. And we don't just have it for tomorrow, but for every stage: when we're racing to get a result, when we're racing to defend ourselves, when we need to win, to stay away from the sprinters' battle...
Don't be shy! Could Van der Poel be an ally towards Rimini?
Of course, him but also Van Gils, Bettiol who is in great form and is coming off the victory of the national championship… There are plenty who can win. And take the jersey...
Was attacking in the first stage of the Giro an important experience for this first stage of the Tour as well? A sort of test?
It's different. At the Giro there was a more explosive finale. Everything was decided on the San Vito climb, and we knew that was it. That it was the right place to attack, and that's where the selection was made... but we didn't win!
But Tadej said the day before yesterday: "At the Giro we attacked on the first day and then it went well"...
But this is a different stage. Longer, harder. There are several points where you can make a difference. The selection will certainly be made beforehand. The final climb of this first stage may not be as tough as the one in Turin, or as decisive, but the climbs that precede it are tougher. And overall, the elevation gain is tougher, not to mention that there are more than 200 kilometers to cover. It's also a more complicated stage to manage because there are so many curves.
You did the reconnaissance last Wednesday: did any particular technical choices emerge?
I think it will be a 54-55 and 39-40 race, ahead and nothing special.
In cycling today, every detail counts. Towards Florence, there are over 16 kilometers of transfers to tackle, which the Garibaldi timetable estimates at 40 minutes. Are these kilometers taken into account when calculating sugar replacement and overall effort?
Of course, especially because we need to know when the intense effort will be and therefore when to eat before that push. The carbohydrates we need, also based on the pace we'll be running. Things change in the moment if we're going full blast or if we need to take it easy.
There are four teams that are clearly stronger: you from UAE Emirates, RedBull-Bora, Ineos Grenadiers and Visma-Lease a Bike. What worries you about them and where do you think your UAE Emirates is it stronger?
We know there are important teams. We study them, we analyze their way of running, we watch and review videos, But I don't feel like talking about them. It doesn't seem elegant, and I don't have enough information to do so. I'd rather talk about mine. Of course, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses.
We return and close with the Rimini hamlet: will I arrive alone or with a small group?
I think a small group, a maximum of 20 riders and with the general classification men in front.
