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Joseba Beloki, Liberty Seguros-Würth

25 April 2005

From Tour de France Podium and Back

 

Heavy hitter, Joseba Beloki, is on the eve of his first grand tour for quite some time. He's back with his old master Manolo Saiz and feeling good about his major 2005 objectives: The Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. BiciRace.com recently had a chat with the affable Basque and found out his thoughts on everything from Manolo Saiz to what he does in his free time.
Interviewed by Paco of BiciRace.com

Original Spanish Version

Back With Manolo Saiz

BiciRace.com:  Joseba, thanks for joining BiciRace.com. You have returned to your former DS, Manolo Saiz, after a brief absence for a few years. How does it feel to be back with a Manolo Saiz team?
Joseba Beloki:  I am very happy because in reality I never really wanted to leave. Now I have returned to the people with whom I have always wanted to be.
BR:  Describe your typical daily routine, for the BiciRace.com readers, in the weeks before a big objective like the Giro or the Tour.
JB:  I'm the type of guy who likes to take it easy at home, with my family, because soon I will go almost a month without seeing them. In the morning I head out to train and after that I stick around the house. I also don't like large gatherings before the start of a grand tour.
BR:  Yes, that is never a good idea before a grand tour. Can you tell BiciRace.com about your home life, your family, your passions in the off-season?
JB:  I'm a man for being at home with the family, for taking strolls and for just hanging out watching television. My favorite past time is watching cycling videos, I have a bunch from current times as well as old ones too

BR:  We like those videos too! So, you'll be doing your first Giro d'Italia this year. How are the nerves after not having completed a grand tour for a few years?
JB:  I'm not really nervous because I've already experienced the Tour de France and I know what one needs to do well. But perhaps now I'm a little nervous because this Giro d'Italia is very important since I need to accumulate some quality competition time for the Tour de France.
BR:  OK, then regarding the Tour de France, can you explain to BiciRace.com what emotions do you feel when seeing video of the crash from the 2003 Tour de France?
JB:  It was without doubt the toughest moment of my career, and I think about the bad luck that I had: I would have been able to battle Armstrong if it hadn't happened.
BR:  Yes, we believe so too. You were looking so strong that year. Can you describe to BiciRace.com what thoughts go through your head when you are in the middle of a long attack in a race.
JB:  I'm not a real attacking kind of rider, but to attack one needs to have both confidence and physical strength to spare. 2003 was my best ever year because my legs felt fantastic. Before that, I would not have been able to attack Armstrong.

Victories and Climbs

BR:  So in your opinion, as a cyclist, is it better to be physically stronger or mentally stronger for these attacks?
JB:  Of course it's necessary to be strong physically, but to be a very good cyclist the most important thing is to be psychologically strong. And of course having good luck in order to take advantage of the situation.
BR:  Which victory would you call the "best" of your career?
JB:  My podium finishes in the Tour de France are the most important for me, even though I also place great value on my podium finish in the 2002 Vuelta a España. Though not much importance was given to having two grand tour podium finishes in the same year. As far as my victories go, the team time trial of the Tour de France that we won when I was with ONCE was one of the most euphoric moments of my life.
BR:  Those were some impressive victories. It was especially cool seeing the team ride to such perfection in the TTT. Now, in your opinion, what is currently the hardest climb in the sport of cycling?
JB:  The Angliru. It is extremely difficult. You have to go up it however you are able. There is no such thing as tactics on this climb. It is the hardest, but it is far from the most beautiful.

BR:  Last question. When you retire how do you want your fans to remember you?
JB:  As a guy who gave everything as a professional. If I'm able to return to the level that I once had, I want people to remember me like that, as a real fighter.
BR:  Joseba, thank you very much for your time. BiciRace.com wishes you much success in your career.

Be sure to follow Joseba Beloki via the Liberty Seguros - Würth website