Cyclingpost.com - Interview: Slovenian talent Janez Brajkovic

Interview: Slovenian talent Janez Brajkovic

By Aris Galatis
Tue, 26 Apr 2005 16:04:00

LJUBLJANA, Apr 26 (CP) - After his performance in the Giro del Trentino and his upcoming move to Discovery Channel, the Slovenian talent Janez Brajkovic told Cyclingpost.com reporter Aris Galatis about the year that has past, and moreover, about his future at the American ProTour team. Your first highlight was winning the golden medal at the U23 ITT World Championships held in Italy in 2004, how did this change your cycling life? Hmm, yes it changed my life quite a bit, but didn't change me as a person. First of all, a lot more people know you, more media, higher expectations for the future and certainly more pressure. How did Discovery Channel first approach you, and what did you think when this happened? Actualy Johan (Bruyneel) called the director of my current team Krka-Adria mobil. Then they were talking about possibilities, at the end of december I did some tests, they were impressed and I became a new member of the best team in the world. (A dream come true). It will be a big chance for you, to move to and train in the USA. What does your family think about this move? Do they support you, feeling that this might be once in a lifetime chance? Actualy, not much will change. I'm still gonna live and train here, in Slovenia, because almost all of the big races are held in Europe. Well it's gonna be a lot of travelling. At Discovery Channel, your position in cycling will probably change a lot, also towards the media. How do you feel about that? Sure, many more people will know me, have a chance to talk with me. After all, being a part of the best team in the world, means being more exposed to media and other people. You will have the chance to cooperate with some very big riders at Discovery. Lance Armstrong is withdrawing from professional cycling after the Tour de France. Will you have the chance to ride with him and what opinion do you have about him? I already had a chance to do some training with him. At the beginning I was, hmm, a little afraid to talk with him. (After all, he's in my opinion one of the best riders in the world), But after a couple of hours we really started to talk about all possible things. I have to say, (not because I'm on the same team), now I know why he won 6 tours. That man is amazing, he's working 24/7, trains more and harder than everyone else, and still finds time for everyone in the team. Just amazing, what a person. Which are your favorite riders and with whom, apart from the Discovery riders, would you like to work some day? After I spent 2 weeks with the Discovery guys, I have to say, all of them, especially Chechu (Rubiera), Max (van Heeswijk). Well, I really wanted to ride with Lance & co, and my dream finaly came true so.... We have seen a lot of talented young Slovenian riders lately who, together with some excellent more experienced riders have put Slovenia onto the cycling map. How come that a rather small country, has produced so many good riders? The right way of training, a great coach. Everyone is asking why are we so good. I would answer; come here for a week, and you'll see how we train. Some tried, and never asked that question again. This season we have seen you in a lot of races, where you have produced some very good results. The Giro del Trentino for example, where you finished in a fantastic 9th place overall. what do you feel about this result and did you expect to ride so well? Actually, yes, I did expect to do well. Sure I'm happy with the result, but also a bit dissapointed. I lost at least a minute by not reacting at the right time. But overall, yes, it was a great race, nice experience, especially being in front with Honchar. What do you think are your strong and weak points as a rider, and which aspects will you be trying to improve at Discovery? Strong: Climbs, TT, descents (I'm crazy), riding in hot weather. Weak: Rain, cold weather, short stages. (I will have to improve my riding in the rain.) What is the highest you want to achieve during your career? TDF!