I learned how to suffer with a smile again

In 2018, I had the best season of my career. After three years with Caja Rural, I was at a point where I needed a change of scenery. I needed new responsibilities and opportunities and I found that at Euskadi Murias, which ultimately helped me sign my first ever World Tour contract. Now, I’m more eager than ever to get started on the new season with Movistar.

To be honest, I didn’t expect to have such a good season as I turned out to have this year. I had changed teams but I hadn’t really changed anything in regard to my training. What really made a difference was that I changed my mindset. In my last year with Caja Rural, I couldn’t really suffer anymore. Every time we got to a climb, I just let go. I was never at my limit. The team didn’t give me much responsibility, nor the confidence I needed to shine but at Murias, it was completely different. There, I had to be in the mix no matter if it was hilly or a sprint. I started to suffer again, a lot even, and when you realize that you can be up there with the best riders, you start to suffer with eagerness. That was the big change for me this season. I learned how to suffer with a smile again.

I started to feel better and better throughout the season and I think I had my best legs ever in Tour de Yorkshire. I didn’t win the race but I finished second overall. Soon after, I won Tour of Norway. I felt good there but not as good as in Yorkshire. I guess that goes to show that it’s not always the strongest rider who wins.

“When I started Tour of Turkey in October, I still didn’t have a contract for next year…”

My big goal for this season was to prove my worth and get a World Tour contract. I knew that if I didn’t get one this year, it would be very difficult for me to get one in the future. It was a very important year and at the end, it all paid off. Also, I must admit, had I not managed to secure a World Tour contract after such a great season, I think it would have been difficult for me to start out next season with the same level of eagerness. I would have been very disappointed.

However, it did take a long time before it happened. When I started Tour of Turkey in October, I still didn’t have a contract for next year. It was a difficult time for me but my girlfriend Cristina really helped motivating me and getting me ready to give it one last go. Ultimately, it worked out better than I could have hoped for.

When I finished second on the final stage of Tour of Turkey, I didn’t know that I had won overall. It took 15-20 minutes before I found out. After the stage, I was in the tent with Alexey Lutsenko who had the leader’s jersey going in to the stage. I was happy because I had finished second and I knew it was enough to make it on to the overall podium but since the TV cameras didn’t stay with me after I crossed the line, I didn’t think I could have won. Usually, the cameras go to the winner so I didn’t know anything. Suddenly, Nathan Haas came to congratulate me. I still wasn’t sure so I asked him if I had won and he said: “yes, yes, you won the overall!” – Then my face turned into one big smile!

The very next day, my phone rang and Movistar offered me a contract for 2019. It all happened so quickly. I was already super excited about winning Tour of Turkey and then – on top of that – I got the news that I would finally go World Tour. It was an amazing day!

Now, I’m already busy getting ready for the new season. I will get my Movistar debut in Tour Down Under so even though I finished my season quite late, I can’t afford to lose any training days as I’m pinning a number on my back again in just a couple of weeks already.

At this point of the year, training isn’t always easy though. Especially where I live in Germany. My girlfriend is an architect and since it has proven much easier to find work here than in Spain, we decided to live here together. It has been over three years now. However, it does get lonely from time to time. Especially for Cristina, who’s here by herself when I’m away racing. With the new contract and everything, maybe we will start looking to move back to the sun. You don’t see much of that in Germany at this time of the year.

Right now, we are both in Spain, spending the holidays with family and friends. Afterwards, it’s time to take on this new chapter in life. I can’t wait to get started!

See you on the road!