MELAKA (Malaysia) – Like a samurai. Like a fearless rider who pushes heart and soul beyond the obstacle. And if today Arvid De Kleijn won again It's also thanks to his help. We're talking about Simon Pellaud, among the promoters of the day's breakaway, the last to surrender and the second to last to move from the train of Tudor Pro Cycling Team.
We got to Malacca, one of the largest cities in Malaysia and once upon a time, navigation in South Asia. Goods passed through here and Singapore, then set sail for the rest of the world. This was also a stronghold for pirates, the kind from Salgari's novels, so to speak.
From the future to pirates
The Kuala Lumpur-Malaka is therefore the symbolic stage of this Tour of Langkawi. The route stretched from the modern city, the Petronas Towers beneath which the race started, to one of its oldest and most traditional agglomerations. Unfortunately, the race didn't reach the city center.
Against this backdrop, the rather hectic start promised well. Breakaways and a fierce battle for time bonus seconds were expected. Among those who were harboring suspicion was Simon Pellaud, the Swiss-Colombian rider, De Kleijn's teammate.
In the shadow of the Petronas Towers, Pellaud signed autographs. Even in these parts, after winning the GPM jersey last year, Simon is quite popular. On the other hand, the Italian fans know him well. Tour of Italy He's made himself quite popular. But as we were saying, while he was signing autographs, he told us about his season and his future.
A less brilliant season? I wouldn't say so. I've been so helpful to the team. And the few times I've had the chance, I've shown up or broken away. I finished third in a stage at Tour of the Alps, second in the national championship. In Gippingen, I had to step into action in the finale because the leaders had fallen behind, and the other day towards Cameron Highland, unfortunately, I had problems with diarrhea (something that often happens in these parts and which forced Carboni to withdraw today, ed.), which is why I wasn't able to follow the big names in the final kilometer of the climb.
«And believe me, I'm really sorry because I had a very good leg. Not to exaggerate, but even yesterday, if it hadn't been for my attacks, I think those six would have escaped. Or on the contrary, if I had had the chance to enter it, I think it would have gone through with a one-minute advantage given the data and how it went."
And in fact also Davide Toneatti ofAstana-Qazaqstan di Syritsa, this morning, he had told us about the hard work to finish on top yesterday.
Without a team
After Trentin last year, other important riders are arriving at Team Tudor: Alaphilippe and Hirschi above all. How will Pellaud fit into this mix? He's both a forward and a helper. How will it contribute to the growth of this team?
"It will grow without me," Pellaud says with clarity and regret at the same time. "Unfortunately, I won't be part of this team. I'll do these other stages in Malaysia, then I don't know. Last year they told me they were very happy with me, then for no clear reason, without a direct message, I found myself out of the project. A while ago, they asked me if I'd found a team for next season. It was a coup I really didn't expect, and it still keeps me up at night."
And here Pellaud opens up. His ever-smiling gaze reveals his pain. And, why not, even the fear of having to give up.
«Look at this group – while he points to his companions near him – It's a great group. I get along great with the guys, the staff, and the materials. It breaks my heart. Really bad. For example, yesterday after finishing I wasn't with the others celebrating. It was too much pain, it hurt."
Of course, you have to listen to the other side of the story, as they say, to get a definitive picture, Everyone has their own truth. However, it's also true that if the athlete hasn't achieved results because he had to work for his teammates, and if they tell him he's doing well for the way he's doing, it's clear that it becomes difficult for him to understand.
«For me – continues Pellaud – Cycling has never been a profession, but a passionAnd maybe I was wrong to always interpret it from this perspective, even thinking about the team. I really can't believe that with this leg he can't continue."
"When I think about the riders they've signed for next year, I really don't understand. They're riders I could have given significant help to and with whom I get along very well. Lienhard and I have known each other since we were kids. Alaphilippe I have a good relationship, we're joking... And con Hirsch the relationship is super. He is a true friend."
After a short pause he adds: "But as long as I'm here I won't give up."
Fuga disperata
The race then began, and after the initial sprint, a strong breakaway escaped. After a mechanical failure by Spaniard Okamina, only De Bod, Poole, who was also the overall leader but, fearing the time bonuses, decided to defend himself by attacking, and Pellaud himself remained.
This time, however, the group did not make the same mistake as yesterday. Astana immediately raised the pace and Poole, once the intermediate sprints are over, has no great interest in struggling on the flat. With over 130 kilometers to go, in the final 45 kilometers it became clear that the breakaway was sealed, first Poole and then De Bod gave up. Pellaud resists. He dreams. He pushes, and who knows what he's thinking.
«I thought I didn't want to give up and I told you this morning – he tells us while another fan asks him for the photo and the water bottle – It was a breakaway for the future. And I'm also happy because in the end I was back in the lead, working for De Kleijn. I did my part: I moved to 500 meters."
His action also allowed his teammates to stay on their wheels and benefit from a fresh train for the finale.
"Do not, I can't think of stopping with this leg and this grit».
