A lean physique, aquiline nose, a bent back on the bike... and pedaling. This is the image of Alexandre Shefer A former rider. An image that doesn't stray too far from his role as a sports director. Often a behind-the-scenes worker, but always there for his riders and his team.
Shefer has been one of the mainstays for many years of Astana, but as of this year it is no longer part of it. A sudden dismissal.
Alex, what happened?
I honestly don't know. They told me I wouldn't be part of Astana anymore right after the Giro d'Italia. The second Canadian sponsor has arrived (PremierTech, ed.) and new Kazakh people were introduced. I have been in this group since 2007.
But Vinokourov, your friend and team manager, couldn't do anything?
It's not his decision, but that of Abacanto is the shareholder company that controls the team.
When did your story with cycling begin?
I was 11 years old and cycling in Kazakhstan. I competed in all categories there until 1992. Then I turned professional in the then Navigare of Bruno Reverberi.
How did you arrive in Italy?
I was part of the Russian national team, first as a junior and then as an amateur. I came to do the Giro d'Italia U23 and the Giro delle Regioni. Then at the time there was Alfa Lum. One of the DS was Russian and he proposed me and Davydenko to Bruno.
And how long did you cycle for?
Until 2003 and then in 2005 I started to be the sporting director in the Kazakh national team and In 2007 when Astana was born I went with them.
And then this unexpected volley arrived… But what did your various colleagues tell you?
Well, this happens in life too. What did they tell me? Martinelli, Cenghialta, Vinokourov… they are all sorry but as I repeat they couldn't do anything.
What are you going to do now? Do you still see yourself as a DS?
Now I'm at home in Reggio Emilia. I'd like to continue working as a sporting director and stay in my environment. Yes, I still see myself as a sporting director. And I see myself at Astana. I still feel like I'm there. I know all the staff. Tosello, Pouches, Rachel… I've been working with them for almost 20 years.
You speak fondly of Astana. What was your favorite period?
The years with NibaliWe won the Giro, the Tour, and many other races. It was a strong, close-knit group. And we had the best Nibali. After us he went strong, he achieved results, but he never achieved victories of that caliber again.
Have you looked around? I don't know, have you even considered a Bardiani? After all, you're in Reggio Emilia, and you turned pro with Reverberi...
Yup, I tried to look around but it was November by now and it was difficult to find space. The teams were already defined. Why not with Reverberi? We have a good relationship, we often go out to eat together, but they too had closed the team and hired other sporting directors.
Would you like to work with young people?
The boys gave me the greatest satisfaction. I was on the Kazakhstan junior national team. I had eight riders, and I managed to get them all to become amateurs. I followed them every day in training and outside. It's great because they listen to you, they look at you with a desire to learn. When I brought them to Italy, they were impressed by the organization. We immediately got transportation, bicycles, clothing... everything they didn't have in Kazakhstan. They were in another world.
And how you told all the foreigners who come to Italy not to eat pizza!
Ah, ah, ah... yes and no. At that age, you shouldn't get too hung up on them and think they're fat. I think if the talent is there, it will come out... And it has to do it on its own.
