Igor Antón relies on being back to his best again in 2014, in a Movistar Team in which he called to protect the leaders of the team on the mountain stages, starting with the Tour of Italy with Nairo Quintana. However, he has personal ambitions, although naturally he assumes his new role after nine seasons as head of Euskaltel -Euskadi. For all this, it has been prepared for 11 days in the Teide for his next big event, Tirreno -Adriatico.
For the first time he has trained on the Teide (Tenerife). "It's a new experience for me, I had already done altitude before, but not here. I think one of the most interesting places, especially the weather and it’s not far from my home. And then there's the landscape, for me it's all very relaxing and quiet, and the hotel is very good. It is fine. I have done 11 days training after Haut Var before riding Tirreno-Adriatico "he explains. "We have been several riders; Castroviejo, Intxausti, Iván Gutiérrez and now we have Capecchi and me. And there are many riders from other teams, Astana, Katusha and more. Looks like this is going to win and that is the way to go." he adds.
His goal is clear, physically work for facing the next major events of the season. "This is how narrowly focused on fitness I am. Working the threshold and the background because from here and it will be ride and rest, we will not have time for. The truth is that here you do not want to fund. Even the day passes quickly. There is no obligation, quietly eat breakfast, lunch and many days later shows up and you're thinking about dinner!” he sums up, laughin.
For now, only has five days of competition, three in Mallorca and the two Tour Haut -Var. " I usually start up in Andalucía, but I am always happy. I was in Mallorca and escaped Haut Var and can say that I've looked at the top race. Now I have to improve, of course, because they come from WorldTour races and the level increases. For example, now comes the Tirreno, an important race and we have to keep up, " he says. "The team has started well. Valverde is riding superbly, as is Malori now and Quintana also won in Argentina. All this makes us more optimistic and we have already taken the pressure to win, but the highlights are now beginning " he asserts.
His first major goal will be the Giro d' Italia and has more or less defined the way to the Giro. "I will ride Catalunya and then not confirmed, or the Ardennes or Trentino Romandie, depends on how work. I have always raced and appreciated the Ardennes, especially Fleche and Liege, but I would not mind riding Trentino, discover a career for me. The Giro is a very important challenge as a race and I know that" says the climber from Galdakao.
Anton has gone from being one of the leaders of the Euskaltel-Euskadi to a gregarious luxury domestique at the Movistar Team. " Even though I did not touch to the callus when winning and have less pressure on this team required results in every race and is also a responsibility. I 'm not obsessed with personal publicity. I would like to win races; it is logical, and work for it. To be a good herd, being there, you have to be fit, I want to be especially well in the mountains and regain the level that I have shown on occasion, with that, you would be happy. And from there my opportunities arise. The order, for example, is 21 stages. We'll see, I hope I have to work hard to Nairo will be good sign, " he says.
After nine seasons in Orange, Anton and feels very integrated in the blue of Movistar. In this regard, notes a "leap of equipment class, look around and I see a lot of quality."
"The way to approach things is different, presentation or details of the bus. Or just wearing more clothing. Maybe there is some more medium plus budget. The change has not been as drastic because he knew people not only riders but also assistants and staff. And there are foreign riders, and more name recognition. The form of professional work itself is something that you are already used to, " he concludes.
30.03: The Bueng Si Fai |
30.03: Gran Premio Miguel Indurain |
30.03: Volta Limburg Classic |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
29.03 - 01.04: Ster van Zuid Limburg |
01.04: Gran Premio del Perdono |
01.04: Ronde de Mouscron |
01.04: Giro del Belvedere |
02.04: G.P. Palio del Recioto |
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Alastair CHRISTIE-JOHNSTON 26 years | today |
Jussi VEIKKANEN 43 years | today |
Kayle LEOGRANDE 47 years | today |
Zhiyu ZHANG 28 years | today |
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