Yesterday, in part one of our chat, G4 discussed Paolo Longo Borghini s sporting heritage, today we’re going to tackle his role on Cannondale Pro Cycling.
G4: You don’t have the build of a climber?
PLB: Sure, I’m big. I’m not a climber though I can get over all the climbs in the Grand Tours, usually finishing in the top 50 on those mountain stages. I have plenty of endurance and after a big effort, I can drop back, recuperate and then ride again at the front.
My father drilled this into me when I was young. He said that you should only drop out of the main bunch once you’re dead and you should stay as far forward as possible in the lead group for as long as possible. Also, it’s a pleasure for me to provide protection for my team mates.
We have a lot of champions on the team and we’re all happy to ride for them and that is why this team is so strong because everyone understands their role. We work hard and only drop off the front once our work is done.
G4: It must be great to ride for a successful team?
PLB: It is and it’s nice that our leaders recognise our contribution and always thank us for our hard work. That generosity is important to us and it doesn’t happen on every team. Ivan Basso, for example, is a great champion and Grand Tour winner. If he doesn’t feel good, he’ll tell you and then he’ll ride for someone else on the team, say Damiano Caruso. It’s wonderful to see someone like Ivan working for the team, he’s a 360 degree champion.
When Ivan is in form, it’s as if he has a motor on his bike. Last year he was riding perfectly in the Vuelta a Espana until that really cold day in the mountains (stage 14 to Collada de la Gallina) – which should normally have been a perfect stage for him – where the temperature was barely above freezing at 2,400m. The previous day it had been sweltering. Ivan was trembling so hard on the bike we thought he’d broken a wheel. But no, he just couldn’t support the cold even though he was bundled up in lots of clothes.
G4: Let’s hope that 2014 is a healthy and injury-free season for him and, indeed, all the team.
PLB: Yes, he’s been so unlucky the past three seasons but he never makes excuses. I don’t live far from Ivan and we often train together. He’s 100% professional and trains really hard. He was injured for the Giro but did everything to arrive at the Tour in perfect form, and the same for the Vuelta.
G4: In the final part tomorrow we’ll chat about how Paolo manages to maintain his svelte figure.
Links: Part one
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