Denis, my sincere congrats with your contract! Share with us your impressions.
Well, I am very satisfied. It was a very long story. I was looking forward to joining the team from the very beginning, since its foundation, but we had no progress. This year it was also a bit long. But finally everything is over, and it came to its logical end. I believe it’s great. Everybody’s happy — a team and me. I signed a 2-year contract.
Please, tell about those talks. What did Ekimov do in the talks?
Actually, everything’s happened to me very quickly, where it turned out that Geox would not continue their performance and there’s no sense to wait for a new team licence. Slava Ekimov got into contact with me, and from the very beginning we were on the same wavelength. We reached an agreement within a week, maybe, even 5 days. It was early November. It was also Igor Makarov (head of Katusha project and of its general sponsor, ITERA Co.) who set a clear goal to solve this issue. So we easily found a common language with Ekimov, and Mr. Holzcer also joined actively. We immediatedly understood each other. We came to an agreement in early November, however, there were some issues on bank guarantees, team sponsor’s contracts to be reconciled.
During the talks you had a great opportunity to get acquainted with Katusha management. And what are your impressions about the team as a whole?
Since December 9th, I’m at a team training in Tuscany, and I like it a lot. The first impressions were very positive, and now after a few days I can honestly say that I really like it even more. Management is fine, and I see that the ream is strong, is at a high level. I believe that a Russian rider and a Russian team can be very useful to each other.
Tell about your plans for season 2012.
Well, sure, Tour de France is my top priority. At the start of the season I probably (not sure, whether I’m prepared) ride a few days at Mallorca. But officially I’m planning to start in Andalucia, then Paris — Nice, Catalunya. Then evidently (but I can say 100% for sure) it’s gonna be Circuit Sarthe in early April. After that, I’m going to my favorite Tour de Romandie, and a short break then is to follow. And then I’m planning to prepare for TdF at Dauphine Criterium. Of course, I’d rather choose some more relaxing racings because the first part of the season is time for preparing. But, unfortunately, the team’s calendar does not include anything like Murcia which I took part for the last six consequitive years. I just want to take at least two big races a month in order to taste the starting kilometers. They are not to get the points, though I should try something serious up to May. But since there’s no more convenient races, I think I’d rather pick Paris — Nice. It’s a good thing.
What does it mean for you to be again in the top list of TdF?
I don’t feel nervous. On contrary, I am eager to compete. This year I resigned mind to missing TdF, maybe in late January or something. Though there was a chance to move to another team even in February. But I thought that it was all for the best and changed my schedule, made a reload in my mind and decided to have a one-year break. For ten years I have been preparing with the same programme so there’s no harm to miss one TdF, to take less stress this season and be better prepared in 2012. That’s it. All those ten years I have been training very hard but every time I was missing something. So maybe it was a chance to recharge my batteries and get more excited by the upcoming TdF in order to show my best performance.
Now, when you include TdF-2012 in your programme, tell us: what is your new concept with an around-100-km trial? Is that an advantage for you?
Sure. Actually this Tour has nothing peculiar. But last three-four years there were less trials. TdF always had one prologue and two long trials, so by now it gets back on track. Nothing else. Anyway this Tour fits me even better.
It’s early to talk about Katusha’s roster for TdF, but who can be your teammate over there?
Well, in a nutshell, we talked about it. We’ll settle this question on one of these days, but I have my own opinion. I believe I can call two names: Gusev and Trofimov. I have relied on them. There are also three or four Russian riders which are appropriate to my vision of the team. That’s my point of view, but we have to talk about it once again with team management and sports ditrectors.
If we talked about your future mates, may I ask you about the latter ones. Ardilla is signed by a Columbian continental team, and what’s about Dmitry Kozonchuk?
We managed to find the solution, a very good one. It’s worth saying that we are reuniting with Ardilla and Kozonchuk in Katusha in 2013. The Columbian is signed by Columbia-Coldeportes, and the Russian side is dealing with Kozonchuk’s employment. Everybody will have their job, and they are happy with that. Of course, I regret about Kozonchuk but we did our best and found the best possible solution.
If we are talking not about particular goals but about cycling in general, please tell us how you see yourself within the Russian team and the Russian Global Cycling Project? Do you see any prospects for more lasting cooperation beyond the framework of the current contract?
I was looking forward to joining the team for a long time and for many reasons. In particular, because I saw the contribution of ITERA Co. and its head Igor Makarov [incumbent President of the Russian Cycling Federation] to Russian cycling. I shall be glad to help the team and all the Project of cycling development in Russia. I believe Mr. Makarov did a significant step in that direction through its sponsorship and general management. As for my prospects, I am planning to go on riding for at least two years, and then everything will depend on the circumstances, whether they have any interest in my contribution and experience if I go on at another position. I would be pleased to contribute all I have to our cycling sport. I tuned positively.
