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Phil Zajicek, Navigators

16 March 2005

Belgium to Georgia, Zajicek lays down the law.

 

Past to Present

BiciRace.com: Hi Phil. Thanks for participating in the first interview on BiciRace.com.
BR:  Can you briefly describe to BiciRace.com how you rose the cycling ranks to get to where you currently are now with Navigators?
Phil Zajicek: Well, I started cycling at age 16, rode with the junior national team for two years then when I was 20 I had the opportunity to go to Belgium to race with the Kortrijk Groening Spurters. I jumped at the chance and packed up and moved base to Belgium for the season. I had a fun time and enjoyed the style of racing there and just absorbed as much as possible. The following year I was set to head to Italy to ride with the Cantina Tollo amateur team and did a few races with Mercury in March before leaving for Italy. Things went well with Mercury and I ended up staying with them for 2000
BR:  Ah, and then you were with Mercury for 2000, 01, 02.
PZ:  Yes, and in 2001 I turned professional for Mercury Viatel, 2002 I stayed with Mercury for another season. Mercury was great with some super talented riders that I was able to learn from. Then in 2003 Mercury dissolved and I found myself at Saturn.
BR:  Did you get a chance to ride with Peter Van Petegem?
PZ:  Ya, hung out with him quite a bit and I was on his bowling team at training camp.
BR:  Do you prefer the racing in the United States or in Europe? Or does Navigators offer the perfect combination for doing both?
PZ:  Navigators is a great mix, racing around the globe, doing some big European races as well as the important stuff in America
BR:  Like Australia?
PZ:   Exactly, Australia, Langkawi, QingHai Lake, Great Britain
BR:  Where are you training now?
PZ:  Right now I'm having a mini training camp in Girona Spain. I've been here two weeks so far and will be taking off in three days.
BR:  Are any of your training partners teaching you the local language? Catalan?
PZ:  Catalan is tough! Dede [Wife of Michael Berry, Discovery] has helped me out a bit but I'm basically getting by with my knowledge of Italian and French.
BR:  How is the training coming along? Have you been dropping Roberto Heras?
PZ:  Ha, the training is going good. I've had a few problems with my health this year so being here and getting healthy and getting some quality training in has been great. Haven't dropped Heras, we were doing hill repeats on the same climb the other day though and I'm pretty sure I was going faster than him. Just kidding, he is tiny though!
BR:  So you think that you are ready for a go at the Vuelta Espana?
PZ:  I dream of doing a grand tour someday. For now Georgia and Tour de Beauce will suffice though. It is neat talking to guys like Tom Danielson and Jason McCartney who are getting ready for their first grand tour. I can't wait to be in that position!
BR:  Someday we will see you there, I am sure.
PZ:  Ah, I certainly hope so.

Moving on to the North

BR:  Just how bad were the riding conditions at Het Volk?
PZ:  Het Volk was pretty miserable, it could have been much worse though! No snow at least on the day of the race. It was extremely cold and windy though. The roads were super slick and muddy from the previous days snowstorms.
BR:  How long does it take to get dressed for a ride in Belgium in February?
PZ:  Getting dressed for training is about a 20 minute ordeal! The time spent getting dressed to time spent riding ratio was all out of whack in Belgium!
BR:  Same here in Italy until lately!
BR:  What is your favorite piece of clothing on a cold day?
PZ:   I'd have to say on a cold day the neck gaiter is the most overlooked piece of clothing. It keeps the neck warm and you can pull it up over your nose keeping your jaw and breath warm. Also, without good gloves though you're pretty much worthless.
BR:  Does the 'Neck Gaiter' come in different colors or patterns. Say a pattern with the Lion of Flanders on it!?
PZ:   Ha, not for me. I'll stick with flat black. Always in fashion.
BR:  What are your favorite racing conditions?
PZ:   Coming from Tucson, AZ I definitely prefer a nice hot day.
BR:  Who is your favorite professional cyclist currently riding?
PZ:   Ooh, that is tough. I have so much respect for a lot of guys. But currently I'd have to say Jens Voigt [CSC], that guy is a beast!
BR:  Yes, he is amazing. He gets his goals accomplished.
PZ:   Time trials, climbing, sprinting, winning and super domestique. He does it all.
BR:  A nice stage win at the Tour of Med this year too!
PZ:   I was able to talk with him a bit last year at Georgia and at Tour of Med this year. His English is great and is a super nice guy.

Warming Up

BR:  The weather is much better here in Italy now then when you were here last (when there was snow). Everyone seems to be out in the Piazza with a gelato in hand. Are you excited to get back here for the Settimana Ciclistica di Coppi e Bartali?
PZ:  Ya, I can't wait to return to Italy. On Saturday I'll head to Riccione, a wonderful town on the coast. Seems like things are finally warming up in Europe, about time! I'm more looking forward to some good espresso in Italy though! The gelato can wait...
BR:  Will the team be visited by sig. Colnago?
PZ:  I'm not sure if he'll be coming to the race or not, a few guys visited him earlier at the Colnago factory.
BR:  Those are some nice carbon Colnago bikes that your team is equipped with!
PZ:  Ya, no complaints there! The Colnago C50 is the best bike I've ridden, no question. Also, we should have some new Stella Azzura wheels at Coppi Bartali that I'm very eager to test out.
BR:  The C50 looks fast when it is just sitting there. No need to ride it; just have a gelato! What's the coolest component on your bike now?
PZ:   Right now I'm really happy with the Fizik Arione Saddle, I rode a Gobi last year and switched to this one two months ago ... I love it. The Speedplays are great too. I've been fortunate to ride them for the majority of my career and dread the day that I'll be forced off of them.
BR:  The contact areas are most important and it sounds like Navigators has that covered.
PZ:  Ya, we are very fortunate with our sponsors. They are the best in the business for sure!
BR:  So, I hear you are a fan of Jamon Serrano from Spain. Well make sure you try some Bresaola before leaving Italy. [What is bresaola? It is a cured raw beef that comes from the Lombardia region and it is delicious.]
PZ:   Ha, sounds wonderful. I'll try it for sure. I had some Jamon today that was amazing. I thought Prosciutto di Parma was the best out there but the Spanish version is up there....
BR:  You've got to try Bresaola!
PZ:   The Bresaola sounds wonderful, I'll really be looking for some Amaro d'Abruzzo though. I love that
BR:  Make sure that you drink that after your last day of racing in Italy!
BR:  What are your thoughts about this year's Tour of Georgia? Are you hoping to better on your 2004 performance?
PZ:  Ya, I am very excited about Georgia this year. To be top five in that race would be wonderful. We'll have to see though what the team situation is. There are so many guys who are going to be flying at that race that it will be interesting to see who the team ends up riding for. If I get 30th place, but can ride for Chris Baldwin and he ends up on the podium, then I'll be viewing Georgia as a huge success.
BR:  Who do you see as the top competitors in Georgia?
PZ:  so many guys at Georgia this year! Bobby Julich if he comes, Christian Vande Velde and Dave Zabriskie, Tom Danielson and some guy named Lance. Then of course the American teams, I think that John Lieswyn will be flying since it is his last year.
BR:  It is nice to see a big race in the USA.
PZ:  It will be quite the race, the US is fortunate to have a race of its caliber back on the calendar

It's 50 cups of coffee and ya know it's on

BR:  How many years have you and Silvia been together? And do you keep her warm all day?
PZ:   Ha, I've been with Silvia for a year and a half now. I've got Silvia on a time so she can sleep at night. She's always up an hour before me though so she is all warmed up for me in the morning timer.
BR:  Yes, you have to keep Silvia on time. Or a Timer! And is Rocky doing fine? Fine enough?
PZ:  Ya, Rocky is great. Very glad that I went with the doserless version. A Mini Mazzer has been catching my eye though...
BR:  Ahh, temptations away from Rocky!
PZ:  I have to say that I'm a bit jealous of your current set up in your kitchen in Italy!
BR:  Shhhhhhhhh that is a secret! [Silvia is an espresso machine and Rocky is a grinder, both made by Rancilio.]
BR:  Phil, Can you explain the problems with UHT milk to the USA readers?
PZ:   The UHT milk is ultra high heat pasteurized so it can be kept at room temperature until opened. Basically it tastes funky. Not good at all for a nice caffè macchiato! Any decent espresso bar shouldn't have anything to do with UHT milk!
BR:  Good advice. OK, what music is being digitally played on your player now? Fog Hat? Cinderella? Or maybe the Fat Boys?
PZ:   Ha, I'm listening to the Beatles white album right now! Kicking it old school.
BR:  Number 9
PZ:   I've just picked up the new Chemical Brothers, very good stuff.
BR:  Very good euro music!
PZ:  Ya, the music scene here is great. I am always finding new stuff.

We are on the Via Roma!

BR:  Your pick for the Milano-Sanremo?
PZ:   [Danilo] Hondo! I'd love to see him come through
BR:  He looks super strong after great Tirreno-Adriatico. BiciRace.com thinks Danilo Hondo got cheated out of 3rd overall!
PZ:  [Oscar] Freire, realistically though, will be very tough and Petacchi's lead-out is impressive. I'd love to see someone like Franco Pelizotti go on the Poggio and stay away.
BR:  What do you think of these possible scenarios for the Giro d'Italia? Ivan Basso wins Tour-Giro double? Damiano Cunego repeats? Spanish affair? Or will we be cheering Tom Danielson over the Stelvio in the pink jersey?
PZ:  I'd love to see a Danielson-Salvodelli 1-2!
BR:  Vai Danielson!
PZ:  I think that Tom will shock a few people on the climbs and the Cunego-Simoni affair will be interesting to watch. Ivan Basso will be interesting to see, such a classy rider.
BR:  Good to watch while having some Bresaola.
BR:  Phil, you know that BiciRace.com is based in Italy, on Lake Como. There are many great rides around this area that are great for training, so drop by whenever you'd like.
PZ:  I'd love to come up and explore the roads some day! I'll more likely be coming up for the espresso though.
BR:  I can take care of you there, no worries. Phil thanks for your time. It's been a great pleasure chatting with you!
PZ:  Anytime, I'll be keeping an eye on the site!

Thanks for reading and please check out Phil's website