Hosting trips in Calpe means seeing a lot of your old teammates and the new pro talent. Does it make you miss it?
The good part of this training camp in Calpe is revisiting some of these relationships with past colleagues, past teammates. I miss those connections, but it’s actually nice to spend time seeing them in Calpe because I can see them—and see how they’re getting older too!—and also see the ones who are still racing so I can see how hard they’re working. And remind myself that I don’t want to be doing that anymore! Pro cycling is actually very hard. And when I think back to those days, sometimes I forget that, so the reminder is good.
This was the first year hosting the Calpe trip, which was more modeled to be a classic base training camp with bigger days and more of a pro team feel. How was it?
The riding is very, very good in Calpe, the weather was fantastic, and it was a super nice experience to be involved with so many serious cyclists on the trip, while also being around all of these pro racers who are so amazing. It’s so motivational for everyone! And we need that on this trip, since it’s a bit more like a base training trip so we’re trying to accumulate more mileage. We’re staying in one hotel and really just training and recovering. And people appreciate that vibe. It’s a little different than our usual trips but still has our inGamba attention to detail in every piece of it.
Out of all of the places you’ve ridden in the world, where is your your favorite place for riding?
It’s hard, there are so many beautiful ones! But I really like natural beauty, like the Dolomites. That’s one of my favorite places for sure. But I also really like the countryside of Portugal, where it’s just quiet and peaceful and the roads go on forever.
Out of all of the races that you did in all of the years you were a pro, which was your absolute favorite?
I have a lot of beautiful races. Probably the most important was the Tour Down Under stage that I won, because I beat the biggest names in cycling at that time, but I have some more wins and racing that were more important for me personally, like my first national championship title.
Out of all of the races that you did in all of the years you were a pro, which was your absolute favorite?
I have a lot of beautiful races. Probably the most important was the Tour Down Under stage that I won, because I beat the biggest names in cycling at that time, but I have some more wins and racing that were more important for me personally, like my first national championship title.
Do you still follow pro cycling?
Definitely—I watch when I have the time, but also, all of my social media is cycling! And at inGamba, most of the team, the guides and the staff, have all been involved with cycling at some point. They’ve been professional cyclists or they’ve worked with professional cycling, and so of course, we end up talking about cycling. Sure, now many of us are in a different world, in a different type of cycling, but we always have that passion for racing.
Favorite race to watch?
Definitely Tour of Flanders.
Out of all the inGamba trips that you’ve done so far, which is your favorite?
My favorite is probably our northern Portugal trip. Actually, it’s very special to me because I’m in my home country. On that trip, we ride a lot in the countryside. And because I know it so well, it’s very easy to ride in the most authentic places, eat and drink at the best places, take these great little stops at these secret spots.
When you do a mid-ride coffee stop, what’s your coffee order?
Normally, if I’m in Portugal, mostly of the time, I have the pastel de nata—a little tart—on top of a coffee. That’s very popular in Portugal. In Spain, I like to order the toast with olive oil and some tomato on top, maybe some cheese or or ham. In Italy, if they have a cake or toast, I love to order a little cake or toast. Always something like that with coffee. But in Italy, it’s always cappuccino, because they are the ones who really know how to make it.
What do you do for fun when you’re not riding?
I love working on our little farm. I just like taking care of the trees, the plants, you know, the garden, and just being by myself there. I could take the whole day and do that with no stress at all. But the the nice thing is, normally, I just work in the morning or until 2pm because I always have someone who will join me for lunch. A friend will call me and ask where I am. I say, ‘Oh, I’m in paradise.’ And then they come meet up for lunch.
Best tip you have for someone who’s coming on an inGamba trip and has never been on one before?
People are always worried that they’re not ready for a trip. But there is nothing to worry about. We have such a great team, and so much support for everyone. Even if you are struggling, it’s no problem, we can split into different groups and ride at different levels. You’ll have a good experience no matter what speed you want to ride at. Whether you want to go faster or just stop and take pictures, we will accommodate everyone. So don’t worry.
