the Paris-Nice faces its second stage today, and the German Maximilian Schachmann (Bora) hopes to defend the title he won last year, although he knows it will not be easy because he has very strong rivals at the front.
The 27-year-old Schachmann is a mature runner looking to strengthen in day and week races. and is key to his team’s change of philosophy, which previously sought partial wins with Peter Sagan. It is an all-terrain runner.
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Schachmann has 11 wins in his career. In addition to the title in Paris-Nice in 2020, he won the GP of the Industry & Crafts Award and has won stages in the Giro d’Italia, the Basque Country, the Tour of Catalonia.
TIME to talk to him, and the runner explained his expectations for 2021, what he thinks of Nairo Quintana and talked about the options of Egan Bernal.
Does Nairo Quintana lose prominence when he is in a second category team?
I don’t think it has lost prominence. Arkea is a good team, with an ambitious project. Also, we know Nairo and he is a runner who does not give up, one of the great climbers and on the mountain he is too strong. I recognize his qualities. He is a cyclist who has stood out.
Nairo Quintana, Colombian cyclist.
Is he still a cyclist who can get a big win in a big one?
I think he can get it. He is a great runner. He has his conditions and experience.
Should Colombians be calm with Egan Bernal, after what happened in 2020, or is it to worry about?
Honestly, I’ve never talked to Egan, I don’t know much about him, but I hope he recovers because cycling needs him. He is a very good, strong runner. I’ve seen his performances and he’s done really well. He will be fighting the big races. He has a big smile (laughs). He is a leader and has a lot of strength.
How did you get to Paris-Nice with the goal of defending the title?
That’s a good question (laughs). I haven’t run or competed this year. Although I have been training a lot to reach an ideal level of competition. I have prepared a lot at altitude for the roads of Spain. I think I’m going to be at a good level, but until I’m in competition, where other types of situations are seen, I won’t know exactly how I’ll be. I know I trained really hard.
This year there are stronger rivals than in 2020, such as Primož Roglič …
There are really very strong runners. You said it, it’s Primoz. I know they will make it much harder for me, there is no doubt about that. I think we will see a race with a very strong pace and with devastating steps. There are specialists in one-week races, so it will be a very, very, very complicated Paris-Nice.
Because of the course and the rivals, will it be more difficult for you to defend your champion status?
As for the route, it will be very similar to last year, and it was difficult. We need to review the race route very well, the steps in which we can be strong; also, look at those who can attack us and go step by step. I think the mountain is final.
Last year, I remember a lot when Nairo Quintana wreaked havoc in the last stage
What should be taken care of?
Last year, I remember a lot when Nairo Quintana wreaked havoc in the last stage, and now I know how to take care of these types of runners who climb very hard, like Roglic or Tao Hart. I don’t know which team the Ineos come with, maybe Richie Porte. It will be a great race to watch.
How is your health, after last year’s accident at the Giro Lombardia, when it collided with a car that was crossed?
I feel great. I had no more pains or other setbacks during my recovery. My body has behaved well. I was very lucky, because it was a very strong blow, but we are fine.
What can be done to prevent these facts from occurring?
I think they are career situations and you also play with luck. Measures have been taken to have more safety in the mountains, but accidents happen and I am a sample. It’s everyone’s job, but it’s luck.
Has the Bora changed the philosophy of fighting for victories in the classics and going for races for one or three weeks?
I think we have changed the way we run and become interested in racing. We now have other goals and we have improved as a team. It’s cycling and we’re evolving. For example, now we have a chance to do well on the mountain, and with me the team is there. We have changed, it is true.
Paris-Nice Podium 2020: Tiesj Benoot, second; Maximilian Schachmann, champion; Sergio Higuita, third.
And what are they aiming for?
We want triumphs in big laps and overall standings. Maybe this year will be a little difficult, but in the future we will continue to fight. Personally, I can say that our goals in the camps have been clear and I want to fight the big rivals.
And in that order, what is your goal according to Bora’s philosophy?
I don’t like to talk much about future goals, so I’ll talk about the present. First I have to be positive with my fitness and be honest with my abilities. We would like to be in the fight for the Milano-Sanremo, a very beautiful and very strong race, for the Bora it would be important to win a monument.
Knowing the Giro, Tour and Vuelta routes, which one would you like to sign up for?
We have not yet decided what we will run, between the Tour and the Vuelta. Of course we will not go to the Giro. We need to see how we feel in these careers with our work plan. For now, we don’t know.
What Colombian cyclist would like to have at the Bora?
I would like to have several, because they are very good, with many qualities, but I dare not say a name. I hope they don’t make it difficult for me, of course.
Lisandro Rengifo
Editor of EL TEMPS
@lisandroabel