Egoitz Garcia is one among few Spanish riders regarded as a pure classics specialists with his passion for aggressive kind of racing and optimal physical conditions, and for that matter there is a special place for him within the Cofidis’ ranks, as he inaugurated his third season with the Spanish Pro Continental outfit.

The 27-year old Basque kicked off his cobbled classics season with a highly promising ninth plate in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad followed by finishing 116 in Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne, where the decisive breakaway animated by Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Belkin Pro Cycling riders has taken all the spoils.

The first results in the Flemish classics certainly encouraged Garcia to face upcoming races in his well-defined busy schedule for first part of the 2014 season, from the Paris-Nice up to the Paris-Roubaix with all the important classics on the way, as the 27-year old has set himself a goal of being in a top condition while hitting cobbled roads of northern Europe and is said to absorb experience like a sponge.

Having fifteen days of competition in 2014 under his belt including appearances in the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo, Challenge Mallorca, Tour du Haut Var, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne -Bruxelles- Kuurne, interviewed by BiciCiclismo thoughtful Garcia reflected on his part performances and prospects as a classics rider, Spanish poor tradition in this kind of racing, his schedule for 2014 and main contenders to come up with the goods in cobbled majors.

Even though Garcia was satisfied with his result from the cobbled season’s opener as he managed to slightly improve on his past result from the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the 27-year old Basque alike many other riders badly suffered from cold and aftermaths significantly influenced his performance in the Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne the day after.

“The result is not bad. Finishing within the top ten for the second consecutive year is important in terms of building confidence and mental strength for next few races as you’re assured you’ll be up there. Parhaps I could have done a better job if it hadn’t rained, but I’m pleased with my first classics of the season,” Garcia assessed his performance in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for BiciCiclismo.

“I finished Omloop sick with a cold and runny nose, and with much fatigue. I had a bad night and the feelings weren’t good. It was also not a race for me and thus Petit was meant to be the main force of the team. He fell on the Kwaremont, though.”

He also pointed out that valuable experiences from 2013 season helped him understand these kind of races better what were an essential part of his constant improvement.

“I learned to stay alert all the time, cold blooded and to properly manage my forces.”

“So I tried to save some energy to sprint better that last year and so it happened. And inspecting the course, as well. It helps to know when to actually make an effort and to learn the key sections and stretches of pave,” Garcia explained.

During the interview the 27-year old Basque rider made some interesting and less obvious remarks on the circumstances connected with being the Spanish rider racing cobbled classics in Northern Europe as well as praised recently retired Juan Antonio Flecha for being his hero and the first countryman to pave the unconquered cobbled roads dominated by Belgians, Dutchmen and French riders.

“It is a bit strange, being unable to speak my own language to anyone in whole peloton. Yes, it is true that these are extremely nervous races and there is no much room for conversations. You have to remain very concentrated.”

“Flecha has been a landmark because he was the first to compete in the classics, with many podium spots in Omloop and Roubaix. Such results are very difficult to achieve and that’s why it’s worth admiring.”

Having a better view of the peloton’s main forces from the inside, asked about the favorites to take the spoils this spring Garcia came up with a less obvious pick..

“Omega has generally started very strong. Then there is Vanmarcke too, but to me Boasson Hagen was the most impressive so far. I think he will have a very successful spring, if he’s lucky.”

The Cofidis classics specialist has a well defined schedule for the first part of 2014, including appearance in the Paris-Nice, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wavelgem, Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix.

Even though he regrets not to participate in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco held on his home soil, Garcia acknowledges that the route is not suitable for his characteristics and fears he won’t feature in the race for several more seasons as he aims to target the classics in a longer perspective.