Nicolas Roche in last month's Vuelta a Espana where he won a stage, held the leader's jersey and was eventually 5th overall. He said the Irish start to Giro 2014 adds to Ireland's growing status in the sport and that he really wants to be in the race when it visits.
Though his Saxo-Tinkoff team owner Bjarne Riis is still searching for a sponsor to replace Tinkoff next year and guarantee the future if the Danish-based team, Nicolas Roche is expected to be on the start line of next year’s Giro d’Italia in Belfast.
If all goes well, he may even lead the team after his stage win and taking the leaders jersey, a prospect that would delight the rider himself, the Roche family in Ireland and Irish cycling fans.
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“I was too young to take part in the Tour de France in 1998 when it started in Ireland, and I’ll do everything I can to be at the Giro next May,” Roche told stickybottle after the launch of the Giro 2014 route in Milan today.
And speaking of the Irish support he has gotten right throughout his career, Roche said it is a huge source of inspiration to him.
“For sure, and this year more so than before I think,” he said.
“I think with Dan having such an exceptional start to the year got the country on a high straight away. And the crowds at the Tour this year too; I think it’s a build up over the last few years.”
“It’s generally evolved, you see all these young guys coming up and it’s really encouraging to see. The juniors, U23s and elites had huge support again at the World Championships in Florence last week.”
“And with (Sam) Bennett winning a stage in Britain last week, Dan winning Liege, Catalunya and the Tour stage and the Vuelta stage last year and me this year, people now at home have something to follow and to relate to, rather than some guy winning 25 races, so it’s great.”
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“I appreciate everything that is done for me in Ireland. The amount of tweets I get, even SaxoBank, I was talking with the PR guys and they said our Facebook is amazing with the amount of Irish following us.”
“He was surprised to see how many Irish people were looking at our page, and the twitter, and they have all the countries that are following us and he was amazed at the amount of Irish following us. I hope to be in a position to repay those fans next year closer to home.”
Roche said he was very excited about next year’s Giro, with the first three stages in Belfast and Dublin.
“I know people have been working very hard for many years to get the Giro to the two countries so I think it's really exciting and it's a huge achievement for the people involved and for both countries to host this fantastic cycling event. For the cycling fans in both countries, it's going to be a unique experience.”
“I think it's an interesting course as it varies a lot. With one flat time trial, a mountain time trial and a team time trial spiced up with the usual mountain top finishes, you'll have to be able to be good at everything to win the race.”
“Especially in the start of the race, the sprinters will have their chance to shine as well while the toughest part of the course is in the final week.”
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