www.chechurubiera.info - an online magazine for fans of Chechu Rubiera
INTERVIEWS 2008
MAY : GIRO d'ITALIA
It's been a strange week for Astana, what's your reaction to the team's late inclusion in the line-up for the Giro.
We are happy about it, but at the same time, it is quite difficult to be well prepared for the Giro when we were not focussing on that race and we were training or racing with completely different objectives.
Have you been told to prepare for the Tour?
Really not.
You were originally scheduled to race the Giro. Any regrets?
No. I really like the Giro but I have been doing many races this year because we were not invited to do it. If I do it with my present condition, maybe I am well first week, but it is 3 weeks long. It would be almost impossible to be well in the last one.
Your next race ...?
Dauphiné Libéré
TOUR OF GEORGIA
You had good results in Georgia. What were highlights for you, and for the team? And the disappointments?
We expected to win with Levi but the others were stronger. No disappointments. We worked well and we were the best team by far. I felt well and I did a good job.
Photographs: Casey Gibson for Team Astana
After Brasstown Bald, we commented on website that you looked tired. How are you feeling now?
Yes, it was a long season for me so far. Many races and many trips too, Australia, California, Georgia ... I rested a few days after Georgia and I hope to be back and in a good shape in Dauphiné.
Tell us about the Asturian flags. What did it mean to you to see them flying?
It was a nice surprise. I didn't expect it and it was really nice to hear the Asturias hymn from Rebecca. She was playing the flute at the start in the last stage when I was in the bus. I felt like I was home, with so many Asturias flags and those really nice fans, friends and wonderful people supporting me. What else can I need racing so far from Asturias? Thanks Rebecca.
Do you have a message for fans whom - I know - are missing you and the team these two weeks?
Just thanks once again for the support. It is really nice that they follow me when I am not a winner.
Our bloggers wrote that Team Astana is very popular in the USA. Do you think the team gets a better response in America than in Europe just now?
I think so. American fans feel that the team is like a continuation of the American Team Discovery and two of the most popular rideres from the States are on it (Levi and Horner).
Also the Americans are really good with the new technologies (internet) and they know how to use it for supoorting the team and the riders. Just a few people from my place follow me, the cycling news or the team on the web. Not even me!!
This was your last race in America, did it feel like a milestone in your career?
I really didn't think about it, just in the podium when the speaker said something about it. Maybe in a few months I will do it, but not there during the race and not even now. I tried to do my best as I always do and who knows, maybe I do Missouri instead of Vuelta (I hope not ...).
But it was nice to celebrate the team victory with sidra on the podium, thanks to Rebecca, and with the speaker saying that it was my last race in USA.
Then I thought about that and I keep that memory on my mind, in the podium watching from there the city of Atlanta and the skyscrapers.
Photograph by Amy Bush
Photo Credits: Masthead: Liz Kreutz, 2006. Left column from top: Right column from top: Liz Kreutz