Nicolas Roche in the new colours of Team Sunweb. The Irishman is set to be unveiled in Berlin today as part of the team launch. He is looking forward to getting the new year underway.
Now entering his 16th season as a pro cyclist, Nicolas Roche has said he wants to put last year behind him and prove himself once again with Team Sunweb.
He is in Berlin this week for the official launch of the Dutch WorldTour team's 2019 campaign. And while he scored some solid results in 2018, he wasn't happy with how he rode.
Still very much in love with the life of being a pro bike rider, Roche says he is keen to show what he can do after what he termed his worse season on the bike.
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He now has a number of business interests as he seeks to expand his career beyond cycling - including being the agent for BMC bikes in Ireland and opening a restaurant, Little Farm, with a business partner in London.
However, Roche remains firmly committed to life in the peloton. Indeed, he has spoken of his desire to race until he is aged 40 years. That would mean at least five more seasons.
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Nicolas Roche has been brought into Team Sunweb to aid Tom Dumoulin in the Grand Tours. The Dutch rider was the Giro 2017 champion and finished 2nd in the Tour, Giro and TT at the Worlds in 2018.
Indeed, Roche said the opportunity to work with Dumoulin and aiming to win some of cycling’s biggest races was one of the main things that convinced him to sign for Team Sunweb.
“He is one of the best riders in the peloton and for me it’s an exciting challenge,” he said of Dumoulin.
“It’s exciting to be here amongst young talented riders, some very good experienced riders and some top climbers as well.
“And hopefully I can be that link between the high mountains and the flat roads – the younger and older riders.”
He also didn’t pull any punches when he reflected on 2018 and his desire to move on and show his true worth on the bike again.
“Last season was the worst year of my career, despite some decent results it was nothing like I expected for the amount of training I put in,” he explained.
“And it was so frustrating to not perform. I just want to prove what I’m capable of amongst the best riders.”
Furthermore, he was determined to embrace every aspect of the season ahead; including the difficult moments.
“I love the pain and the fighting, not giving up. You’re racing against others, but you’re also racing against yourself too,” he said of his love for cycling.
“It’s a combination of things – the stress, the focus you have to have, how quickly things can change, the adrenaline.”
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