scar Sevilla (Ossa de Montiel, Albacete) is, at the age of 46, the “grandfather” of the Return to San Juan and one of the most veteran of the world squad. Since his professional debut in 1998, the man from La Mancha, who also has Colombian nationality, has lived a thousand adventures, on and off the road.
In 2001 he was second in the Vuelta and best young man Tour. In 2006 he splashed the port operationand today in the Medelln Team he continues to compete, always teaching young people and now sharing stripes with Miguel Ángel “Superman” López, who, peppered by the “maynar case“, has taken refuge in the Seville team waiting to return to the World Tour. Now, Carlos de Torres (Efe) grants an interview.
“I am 46 years old and I am aware that cycling is less for me, but I still enjoy it as a professional and I am excited. I enjoy helping the youngest, passing on my experience. It is still not difficult for me to travel or train, on the contrary, I get up every day wanting to train. Every day the body slows down a little more, but I feel good, competitive“, Sevilla explained moments before the start of the stage in San Juan.
One thing that Scar Sevilla is clear regarding is that he will continue to be linked to cycling when he hangs up the bike, perhaps as a director.
“I would like to be director in the future. Cycling is my world and it is a sport that has given me a lot, and to which I owe a lot. I want to stay linked to him. I don’t think regarding my future, I want to enjoy the day, I don’t know if it will be my last Vuelta a San Juan, what I can assure you is that I feel like a child with the gift of ReyesI go month by month”, he commented.
The arrival of “Supermón” López in Medelln is valued by Sevilla as “very positive“, and he even hopes that the former Movistar rider can contest the Tour of San Juan once morest Remco Evenepoel.
“The arrival of Miguel Ángel has been very good for the team, he is a luxury that a runner of his level come to a modest team Continental. As a cyclist he is one of the best in the world, he has won in Tour, Giro and Vuelta and has podiums in the big ones. We have to take advantage of him, I think Evenepoel and Bernal can be measured. For us he is a gift“said Seville.
Regarding the recent situation experienced by López, who terminated the contract with the Astana following making public alleged implications with the doctor Marcos Maynarrelated to sports doping, Seville compared this episode with the one he himself experienced in the framework of Operation Puerto in 2006.
“I hope that Michelangelo can return to the World Tour and have a better deal. As Miguel’s friend I think he still has a lot to do in cycling, I hope everything works out. Things now, I think, have improved in terms of regulations, either for justify them or to leave them in a limbo. We did not have the opportunity to defend ourselves, there was never a formal accusation, from anyone, and we might not do anything. I always held my head high,” he said.
Sevilla, linked to the Colombian peloton since he settled in that country and a regular training partner for the most important riders, referred to Egan Bernal as a “special” runner who he hopes can return to the world elite.
“Egan Bernal is a runner that surprises me, he is a truly special champion, a boy who never regrets, he has a privileged mind, he always goes towards forward. I see him happy accident It has served to analyze life. Sometimes everything comes suddenly to young people, fame, ego, and that is not easy to bear. I see egan focused, with his feet on the ground. He will be able to compete in races and this year he will give cheers. He has taught me a lot as an example to follow,” he explained.
Regarding Spanish cycling, Sevilla pointed out Juan AyusoCarlos rodriguez and Henry But as the focus of hopes for the coming years.
“Ayuso and Rodrguez are the highest references, but it would be good if they were not pressedthat they do not compare them with anyone, nor with Contador nor with Indurain nor with anyone, that they follow their natural process because they have a lot of quality. And let no one forget Enric Mas, sometimes undervalued, but he is a great runner. I think a good generation of runners is coming,” he said.