Team Sky have published an interview with one of their new recruits for the 2015 season, Nicolas Roche, who speaks about his first impressions of the teams, aims for the season and his friendship with Philip Deignan. Below is the interview.
One of six new rider arrivals over the winter, Roche has quickly settled into the team as he enters his 11th season as a professional.
We caught up with the Irishman to get his thoughts on Team Sky, Irish cycling and his hopes for 2015 and beyond.
What have your first impressions of Team Sky been like?
My first impressions have been good and I’m really happy to be here. It’s been an easy transition because I know almost every rider and have a good relationship with them – which can be rare in the peloton given that we’ve ridden as rivals up to now. I’ve ridden on teams with a lot of the guys before, Philip (Deignan), CJ (Sutton), Gabba (Rasch), Brad (Wiggins) etc.
The structure of the staffing is really comprehensive compared with teams I’ve been on in the past – only Tinkoff-Saxo was similar. Everybody has a set role here as opposed to trying to do various different jobs.
As a fellow Irishman and now your team-mate do you know Philip Deignan well?
I’ve known Phil since his very first race as a junior – I’d started a couple of months earlier and we came through the ranks together. We’ve done 10 World Championships, two Olympics, and countless other races together and I class him as a really good friend.
Has Ireland experienced the boom in cycling that Britain’s had?
I go back to Ireland three or four times a year and it’s definitely experienced that boom. Having the Giro d’Italia start there last year was such a proud moment for me. I had the warmest welcome any rider could dream of at the presentation in Belfast. The fans were amazing and there was so much media exposure.
How has your off-season been?
I took it easy after the Worlds and spent some time in Japan after the Saitama Criterium which I enjoyed. I started training again at the start of November and built from there. Now I’m just looking forward to the racing.
Are you happy to now call yourself a Team Sky rider?
This move is something I’ve wanted for a long time. Being Irish, and looking at Team Sky from the outside, it was one that I was instantly attracted to, and being part of the team was something I’ve long wanted to experience.
Is it going to be strange going up against Alberto Contador and your former team-mates in 2015?
This is the fourth time I’ve changed teams as a pro so I’m getting used to it now. I’ve raced against a lot of former team mates and team leaders, but never against the proper opposition.
Where do you see yourself progressing with Team Sky?
The Vuelta is the perfect race for me. I’ve finished fifth, sixth, and just outside the top 10 on a few occasions. I’d like to progress in one-day races, particularly the Ardennes classics, because with the training paths I’ve taken up to now, they’ve always come too early in the season. I’ve been there or thereabouts a few times but that cutting edge has been missing. San Sebastian is another race I’d like to do well in. It comes a week after the Tour de France and I’m usually in great condition at that point. I’ve finished top 10 there a few times and if there’s one race I think I could win one day it’d be that as it’s the most suited to me.
