Q. Is the end of the dictatorship of the weight the greatest relief?
A. A major one. You get tired of having to control everything you eat and it also influences your family life, going out to dinner ... These are the things that I will not miss. Like having to sleep many hours or details that seem silly, like not being able to put the air conditioning.
Q. And what (will you miss) about the competition?
A. The risk. More in recent years, perhaps because I was more conscious or perhaps because I saw falls everywhere. In the last Tour, for example, four or five cyclists from each team had a crash. Next year when I see the peloton going fast or preparing for a sprint, I'll be happy to be on the couch. It's like the rain. I always liked the rainy days, I got great results, but every time I felt the danger I was running.
Q. That explains your retirement. It seems that you will not miss anything.
A. Yes, yes, many things, but more the training than the competition. In recent years I enjoyed more pre-race training camps. For many fellow riders they were a torture, but I was happy preparing a grand tour, spending 20 days in Teide. I felt privileged to focus on the bike.
Q. Will you take the bike again?
A. This week I rode one day! They cheated on me, and on Wednesday I went out for a while. It was a disaster, I still had the legs swollen from the Vuelta, I was dead, I could not go on... but yes, in a few days I will go out again, for sure. I have tried other sports and I do not find any as cycling, superhealthy, not aggressive, you feel cool, you feel mobile.
Q. Then, in a year, if you do not lose the form, who knows if ...
A. [Before finishing the sentence] No. I'm very sure of my retirement. Besides I could not be better: I knew that the farewell in the Vuelta would be nice, but I did not imagine that much. The Andorra [a bonk for which he yielded 2'30] allowed me to run freely and enjoyed it. In cycling I have already achieved everything I could get. It was a part of my life, but it was not my life. Now I have projects that motivate me more.
Q. You will say.
A: In the last Vuelta, my coleagues already shouted at me: "President!" I am very excited about that role: to take my foundation, the Continental team and the U-23, to get young people ... I will dedicate myself to that, to help in my foundation, and to enjoy life.
Q. You will not deny me that seeing the presentation of the departure of the Giro in Jerusalem you do not imagine yourself riding.
A. When I got to the city I started to analyze the curves, the asphalt ... It's a job distortion. I hope that in 10 years I can do tourism and nothing more. This departure from the Giro will be historic, exceptional. For the first time a grand tour will not start in Europe. It's a big bet: these are the things that cycling needs.
Q. If any political party offered you a charge or just get enrolled. Would you think it?
A. Not even dead. Absolutely not. Neither in politics, nor in the direction of a Federation, nor even as sports director of my team. In my career I have lived responsibilities, pressures, and I do not want more. [And do you see yourself as a TV commentator?] I would not say no. I will follow the news of cycling so who knows.
Q. Would you say that you had the career you wanted?
A. Yes. I'm proud. For example, I would have liked to get the Giro, Tour and Vuelta in the same year, but I am aware of the difficulty of it.
Q. After all, how do you think people will remember you?
A. I think they will remember me as a non-conformist cyclist, who always fought to win, just to win. In my palmares it is seen: I was in the first position or outside the podium. In general, I feel very dear. Yesterday [for Sunday], for example, when I was preparing to travel here to Israel, I showered at seven in the morning and heard: "One more year. One more year!". I thought it was the TV, but it turned out that it was some guys who were partying and were in front of my house. I did not want anyone to wake up, but I was really glad.
Q. You also had detractors, more after the doping sanction. Have you ever felt that the audience is divided by your figure?
A. No. I have already said: I feel very dear. Although I am aware that the love arrives more than the criticism. The amateur who is with you encourages you in the climbs and the amateur who does not feel sympathy for you simply keeps the distance. I guess any athlete has fans and critics. I feel lucky. Maybe it is because of the sport that I have dedicated myself: in cycling the athlete is very respected.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram