Tiesj Benoot will be at the start of the Strade Bianche in six days, his favorite race. The Belgian from Team Sunweb feels ready for the restart of the cycling season. “It will be a different edition than in March, the temperatures are completely different.”
Benoot and his team are still on an internship in Austria and from there travel directly to Italy. “We are at an altitude of 2,000 meters here,” he says. “The team has a hotel here for two months to meet all safety requirements.”
“The measures go quite far. We are divided into bubbles. I am in a bubble with the Tour team and that team also rides the Strade Bianche, Milan-Sanremo and the Dauphiné. We sat separately at the table and also slept alone in the room. Every bubble had a team manager and a caretaker. After a training, the mechanic was not allowed to disinfect our bicycle, the carer had to do that. It is all very special. “
“We were tested this morning and will be tested again on Wednesday.” Is Benoot afraid to leave his safe bubble to start racing again? “No, I have never really feared an infection. I do what I am asked to do and minimize the risks. If it is allowed to come out then I do that. If you are afraid to ride in a peloton, then stay you better at home. “
If you are afraid to ride in a peloton, you better stay at home.
“It will be a different edition than in March”
Benoot won the Strade in 2018. How does the ex-winner feel at the moment? “It is going well. I have trained well and I think I am good, but if you have not raced for so long, you have to wait. The numbers point in the right direction.”
“I really can not estimate my chances. I have not seen the other riders in action for a long time. It feels a bit like it is the opening weekend again. Exciting. I hope I can participate for the podium. For profit everything has to coincide, but it would be foolish to say that it is not there. I have a good team and I really want to race. I feel good, but I don’t expect anything. “
“The Strade Bianche is the best match for me at this level. I started 4 times and already finished 4 times at the front. But it will be a different edition than in March. The temperatures are completely different, which gives an extra dimension.”
Benoot won the Strade in 2018.
“It could also be done quickly with races”
The pro peloton will start again on Saturday, but the question is whether the redesigned season will also be completed. “Hopefully. The last week you have heard worse messages from Europe. It can change quickly and you cannot predict it. It could also be done quickly again.”
“Professional riders are not above such situations. Society would not agree if racing is still going on during a second crisis. Moreover, positive cases in the peloton are also not impossible.”
“A new league stop would be frustrating, of course. But I’m not trying to get into it. You shouldn’t think the season will end again after the Tour.”
