Amets Txurruka, the rider from Etxebarria, obtained his fourth professional victory in Norway and the seventh for Caja Rural in 2015. Txurruka joined the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team in 2013 and has since won a stage as well as the general classification of the 2013 Vuelta a Asturias, the 2014 Tour de Gevaudan general classification and a stage of the Tour of Norway a few days ago. So far this season, he has been up on the podium on four occasions and has placed in the Top 10 8 times.

 

He is clearly on form and he recently gave an interview to his team, which can be found on Caja Rural-Seguros RGA’s website.

 

How are you feeling this year?

 

The truth is I’m feeling good, I started the year full of good sensations after having worked very hard all winter, the collarbone fracture in Besseges was a shame as it stunted my progress. It wasn’t easy but I made a lot of sacrifices in order to be in the best possible shape for the Vuelta al País Vasco, I was able to perform well and now I’m finally reaping the benefits of all that work.

 

So does that mean that your fall at the start of the year has been forgotten?

 

Yes and, besides, I feel at the top of my game. It does come to mind when I’m competing in dangerous conditions, but physically it has been forgotten already.

 

Which races will you be competing in next?

 

I have two races coming up in America that I’m very excited about, one in Philadelphia (in the United States) where our sponsor, Fuji, has economic interests, and then the Tour Beauce in Canada.

 

What do you remember about your recent triumph in the Tour of Norway?

 

My greatest memory is of how I rode, I fought for that stage very sure of my capabilities, I sometimes get ahead of myself but I knew how to wait for the right moment in Norway. I took off after López, Hansen and Nordaugh when they attacked with the calm knowledge that I would catch up to them. Then I held on until I calculated the distance I needed to leave them behind. It was a beautiful day!

 

Could that confidence have been the key?

 

It was one of them, without a doubt, but there was also the fact that I was feeling really good physically and that confidence gives you the tranquillity to not get ahead of yourself. Those kinds of victories give you an added burst of confidence for subsequent races.

 

Does having 4 victories already under your belt change anything when it comes to trying to win a stage?

 

Above all, it gives you confidence, but every race is different and each and every one of them is tough to win.

 

What is your teammates’ reception like when you win?

 

It’s very nice, actually, when I reached the finish line, Joseba, Ana and Giuliano were there and I embraced them euphorically. As it was a high-altitude finish, the other teammates arrived little by little, starting with Pello, and the joy was greater and greater every time another arrived and we all hugged. Later on in the hotel, when we were all more relaxed, we talked about how it had all gone, etc. I’m so grateful to everyone involved for allowing me to fulfill this dream, my teammates, the directors, the staff that makes up the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team and all the sponsors. Without their participation, their efforts, hard work and unity, we would not have the opportunity to fight for victory in these races, from cyclists, to assistants, directors, staff… Thank you to the entire staff and to the sponsors for giving us the opportunity to win these races.

 

What has the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team given Amets Txurruka?

 

They’ve given me, above all, the opportunity to continue to enjoy myself and to prove that I have a place in top-level races. From the very first day, they’ve given me an extra dose of confidence and, every year, they manage to create a unified environment whereby we all fight alongside each other and bring out each other’s best cycling.

 

How are you finding your Fuji Altamira?

 

It feels great, it is a very noble bicycle that behaves exactly as one would hope no matter what the terrain is like. It incites you to climb, but is also very stable during the descents, it has a good acceleration and is both light and rigid at the same time. It is very complete, very comfortable and very fast!

 

How do you think the team is doing?

 

The team is doing very well! It was hard achieving any results at the beginning due to all the falls and injuries, but our hard work has been paying off and we’re enjoying this moment, we have to take advantage of it.

 

What can fans of the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team expect for the rest of the year?

 

Mainly, for things to continue as they are now. We will work hard to be prominent in every race we compete in and, although it is difficult, we will continue to fight to add more victories to our tally.  

 

The team’s Basque riders are doing incredibly well, even your teammates are ahead of you.

 

And I hope I need many more victories to catch up to them, I don’t mind if they win by a landslide (laughs). The important thing is for us all to keep up the current level and for us to add victories to the tally together, regardless of who wins.

 

In general, the year seems to be a good one for Basque cycling with Landa performing so well at the Giro.

 

Luckily we have always had a very high level of cycling, and now is no exception. We are a reference in the international peloton and that is why we can’t lose this tradition, we need to take better care of our young riders so they have a chance to prove their talent just as we have done. There is and always will be young talent available, now it’s up to us to know how to motivate them and give them a chance so that they may continue to bring joy to cycling fans in the future.

 

Does the enthusiasm for training and competing increase over the years or is it a matter of working?

 

You do become more professional and methodical over the years so it is “work”, but if you don’t have that excitement for training and competing you won’t last long in this sport. It is a sport that requires maximum involvement and, for that to happen, keeping that excitement intact is essential.

 

Are you currently enjoying a second youth?

 

No. I’m living the same way I have up until now, enjoying what I do and giving it my all in every race and during every training session.