Miguel Ángel Ballesteros begins the season, next Saturday, with the Spanish Team
“I cannot think of a better race than Murcia to start the year”
Like last year at this time, Miguel Ángel Ballesteros will begin the season in his land, running the Vuelta a Murcia with the colors of the Spanish National Team. It may be a good omen and, of course, he can not think of a better way to heat engines. “Going with the Spanish Team is always very good and in my case more”, says the Polartec rider from Murcia. “This year I’m not as well fit as last year and that is why this race will be good to prepare the first race of the Spanish Cup”.
Concentrated along with the rest of his companions in the urbanization of Mar de Pulpí (Almería) until Friday, Ballesteros explains how his preparation is now. “I’m not going as fast as a year ago, but I think that’s a good thing, because by April or May I was not going well. I think this is how you have to start and the point of this first race in Murcia will be fine to start the Spanish Cup. I’m happy to start like this”.
-Do you notice this more year as a rider?
-Yes. At the level of physical form I am a little below now, but at the same time in my performance there is not so much difference and that is because the year I have fulfilled.
-What do you think about the Tour of Murcia, what feelings do you have?
-It’s a tour that I like because it’s my training zone, which I love. In the race, last year since the break was made the rhythm was calm, but when the time for the truth came in Collado Bermejo, I paid it. But in spite of everything, I think it was the race I enjoyed most of the season, although from the middle I was already out of the head. I enjoyed and learned, that’s what I hope for now, as well as it’s fine for my planning.
-What can be expected of the Spanish Team in this Vuelta a Murcia?
-We came to work thinking on the future. I think the coach wants to be teaming, because of course, in terms of results will be difficult, although we will try.
-How is going this training camp in ‘Mar de Pulpí’?
-It has been perfect for us to form a group and to be united as a team. We are in a spectacular place, on the coast between Almeria and Murcia. Even though I live very near, I think it’s almost better than at home, that it’s a lot. All the work we’re doing here will be very good for us when the races come.
-Are you excited about starting the year like this, being in this training camp and starting to ride in your land?
-Yes, for sure, it motivates me a lot. To make some results is very difficult, but riding here, before my people, gives me wings. I cannot think of another better race to start the year.
-You have been at the Alberto Contador Foundation since the beginning. From that experience, how do you see the Polartec this year?
-This year we have a very good group of people, both from a human and a performance point of view. Everyone knows what their role is and personally I am very excited, I really want to start and I think it will be a very good year, nothing to do with the last one.
-Last year, in addition, you had bad luck with the health in the Cup of Spain, but also would be an experience for you.
-I’ve learned a lot from last year. Usually you learn more from bad thinks. This year I hope to be up to the team, try to make a good Cup of Spain and, above all, give everything the team asks me.
-What is the dream to fulfill?
-The goal is to pass to professionals, which is the dream we all have, but I know that it pass not only through winning, but above all to help the team, let people see that we are also good workers and that we give the hundred percent in each race.
(Automatic translation. Forgive inaccuracies).
