"As a rider, Mark is a champion. But as a person, he disappointed me." Maxi Richeze speaks clearly, with the straight look of someone who has nothing to hideThe garage at the Hotel Del Bono in San Juan is dimly lit and incredibly humid, There's a wind outside that blows you away. Yesterday it was 38 degrees, today it's a little better.The teams of the Return to San Juan They're all in Argentina. Yesterday we journalists also arrived, and from now on, every meeting becomes the starting point for a story to tell.
The B&B Hotels disaster
We had Richeze intercepted in mid-October, when we knew that Mark Cavendish had asked him to accompany him to the Tour for the final challenge to Merckx's recordB&B Hotels had made the right offer and A train for the Grande Boucle was being born around the Isle of Man champion. Richeze would have been his last man, Severed he would have been one of the men concerned.
Then suddenly everything stopped. The team got lost in its financial affairs and Manager Pineau at one point raised his weapons and released all the riders. A real disaster on French soil, from which Cavendish and his manager Martijn Berkhout have started looking for something else.
We left off when you were on your way to the B&B, all that was missing was to sign…
Indeed we signed and had a first retreat in OctoberWhen they first postponed the presentation and stopped receiving messages, I thought maybe something was wrong. But then they sent the email to do the December withdrawal and I said, "Oh well, things are getting better." Instead, everything fell through.
What was your relationship with Cavendish like at that point?
They were good. I didn't talk to him too often, because I knew he was a bit stressed.I told him I was there and to call me when he heard anything. He always kept me informed about the various teams he was hearing from.I was still in Europe, I arrived here before Christmas, after watching the World Cup final in Qatar.
So you were in Europe when the Astana idea came up?
Exact. Mark had told me about Astana and an American professionalOn Thursday I spoke with the Americans, on Friday evening both he and his agent wrote to me, saying that Astana returned to first place and that they would be fixed the next day. I haven't heard from him since, it was December 16th.He wrote to me that he would let me know the next day, but nothing more. He doesn't even see my messages anymore, his agent sees them, but doesn't respond.
Those were the days when Astana was in Calpe. We were there too...
Exact. We talked on Friday evening and by Sunday they had already signed. They were there and they stopped giving me answers.
How do you explain it?
I don't know. In the end, if he had to go and couldn't carry me, it was understandable. You tell me, I'm sorry, but I'm not a child. I would have understood. It was already December, a bit of a tight period and it was also normal that he was busy with his things, But at least I would have liked a call. And if he didn't have the courage to call, at least a message.It's not that you're not answering my phone or texting me anymore. I'm disappointed...
Also because for this opportunity, you had started training again…
Yes, I had already decided to quit. He was the one who motivated me to do another year. and that's why I kept training.
At this point have you decided that San Juan will be your last race?
Since they were practically not answering the phone anymore, I understood and honestly I didn't even go looking for other teamsAs I'd told Mark, I needed strong motivation to do another year. Going to the Tour de France with him was a great challenge, a good thing. When it faded, I decided to stop, I didn't want to force fateThe conversation with B&B had already fallen through. Then this problem with him happened. I believe in destiny, it means that the Lord didn't want me to keep running. So, heart at peace.
How did you feel when you saw that Astana had signed Cees Bol?
I repeat, I don't question the technical choice. Bol is a rider with the same agent as Mark, but I understand Vino who perhaps wanted a younger sprinter who can give him resultsThe choice is there, I regret the silence.
Will you be able to experience this last race peacefully?
Serene, a little happy, a little melancholy. Because, you know, so many things are going through your head. Cycling my whole life, 17 years as a professional, so it's tough. You say you'll quit, but when the time comes... But we'll try to enjoy this moment with many friends. I also spoke with the Governor and the Minister of Sport, This is where I started my cycling career and where I want to finish it.I always said I wanted him to be here. There are people who have given me so much, both emotionally and athletically. It was important for me to get this far.
Will the future be here or in Europe?
I don't know, I haven't decided yet. I have a company here, and then we also have the family business, so I want to work on that a bit. I would love to work here, with the kids in Argentina or even here in San Juan, since there is also the new velodromeThat will help a lot. So the future is still undecided. For now the little girl is in Italy with my wifeThe last time they came with me, they overloaded her with homework and my wife freaked out…
Are you training alone today?
Today, yes. I have a piece of land 40 kilometers from here and I'm going to check how things are going, then I'll move to the hotel in Argentina, otherwise they'll kill me (laughs, ed.). I spent a few days in this WorldTour because they invited me, but now I'm going back to my parents.
