Prva dirka v sezoni 2017 je za mano. Vedno je dobro malo pogledati nazaj, da naprej odneseš pomembne lekcije… na splošno sem zadovoljen, čeprav je bil sam start zame zelo težak. Ko človek mogoče že misli da je kronometrist, pa ima slab dan in zelo hitro ostane zadaj, meja med odličnim in slabšim je v kolesarstvu pač zelo tanka, začeli smo premočno zame, imel sem slab dan in preprosto nisem mogel slediti in opraviti svoje naloge. V drugi etapi sem se takoj počutil bolje, bolj domače, odločen sem pa bil, da se preizkusim ter da tudi sebi dokažem, da je bil zgolj slab dan. Čeprav je bila težka, že pred zadnjima dvema klancema smo šli preko treh kategoriziranih, na koncu nas je ostalo za eno grupo, Martin se nam je odpeljal, v spustu smo malce zaspali, nihče ni želel preveč tvegati zaradi mokre ceste. Vseeno smo zadovoljni s tretjim mestom. Tretja etapa, specifična za ta čas, z orkanskim vetrom, ki ga ne maram, držali smo se bolj v ozadju, ker nismo imeli ambicij v generalni razvrstitvi, nismo preveč riskirali in ko se je peloton raztrgal, sem tam tudi ostal 😀 Pred četrto, kraljevsko etapo, sploh nisem vedel kaj naj pričakujem, malo me je bilo strah zadnjega klanca, saj so vsi govorili kako zelo strm je (21). cel dan je bilo težko, z nekaj sreče se nas je večina Lotto obdržalo v prvi grupi, na koncu pa smo poskusili narediti vse kar je v naši moči, navsezadnje smo trenirali dobro. Sicer zamudili skok Quintane, ampak končni rezultat je OK, Steven na osmem in sam na petem mestu. Zadnji 3je kilometri so tako strmi da so se vlekli kot večnost, videl nisem več ničesar, ker sem si prehladil poškodovano oko. Naslednji dan je bil veter še hujši. Po dolgem čakanju so etapo skrajšali zgolj na 5 krogov po Valencii, bolj ali manj promenada po mestu, kjer smo dali prostor šprinterjem. Hvala celotni ekipi, za trud skozi vsako etapo posebej. Nič, naslednji teden, Dirka po Algarveju, se pričakuje ponovno ogromno dobrih tekmovalcev kot jih je bilo tukaj, se že veselim, izziv pa mi predstavlja tudi posamični kronometer.
Well first race of 2017 is done. It’s always good to look back, so you can take the important lessons with you. In general I’m satisfied with my performances, although the start was really hard. The line between excellent and bad is very thin in time trial, we kicked off too hard for me, i had a bad day and i was dropped just like that. I couldn’t follow and couldn’t do my job properly. Second stage was tough, I was decided to improve my performance, and my team really helped me to get there. In the end there was a small group, we lost Martin on the descent, I guess no one wanted to risk too much due to a wet road. Third stage was very windy, and as peloton fall apart we stayed behind, that’s where I stayed to the finish. Before 4th, Queen stage I really didn’t knew what to expect, and I was a bit afraid of the final climb because everyone told me it was so steep. Team worked really well and that was enough for Steven`s 8th and my 5th place at the end. We missed attack from Quintana, but the final result is OK. The next day, wind was even stronger, so after a long waiting the stage was shortened only to final laps in the city center of Valencia, the stage was reserved for sprinters.
Big thanks to the boys and whole Team Lotto NL Jumbo, for trying hard every step of the way and making it possible! #sammenwinnen
The next week already a new race, Tour of Algarve, again a lot of world class riders like here, Im already looking forward to it.