 How did you get into cycling and how was your last amateur year?
When I was 13 years old, I dreamed of racing a bike and the only way to ride a racing bike in the USSR was to join the local cycling club. My last amateur year was 1992. I won several races in 1992, including GP Liberazione in Italy and several podiums at the Baby Giro. This was my ticket into the professional world. Yet it was 1992, a rough time for Soviets because our country was falling apart and had no new system in place yet. The only way to stay in cycling was by joining a pro team.
After the silver medal at the 1988 World Championships, did you feel any more pressure for the year afterwards?
I felt no pressure, but I started looking for new challenges. Right after the World Championships, I competed at one of the prestigious stage races in the USSR, a race in Ukraine. I was racing against older guys and I was racing for a team that was led by Olympic Champion Viktor Kapitonov. On Stage 2, I was involved in a high-speed crash and that was the end of my 1988 season. In late 1988, I joined the Elite USSR team. I was the youngest rider in the team.
You won 1998 the Russian Cyclocross National Championship, how did it come and does it influence you in anyway in your work as a sports director?
In 1998, I won the Russian National MTB Championship. It was an amazing experience and it helped me for years to come, especially when I was racing criteriums in the USA. My bike handling improved significantly after just one year in MTB. MTB is a very interesting sport, but it has a different philosophy. Most of the time, you are alone and you need to go as hard you can. I missed having a team and found I prefer working together on the road.
As the general manager of the team, what are you doing day in and day out in the team?
My day typically consists of communicating with the riders, staff, sponsors and race organizers on various topics, while also planning and organizing our race calendars as well as roster confirmations for upcoming races. I also usually follow up with members of our staff – logistics, marketing departments, etc. – on a variety of team needs.
And what are your responsibilities areas within the team?
I recruit riders and staff, create the racing calendar, and attend races as a DS (director sportive).
What is different to a sports director?
As sport director, I’m always in action – team car, races, and riders. As the GM, I need to spend some time at the office as well.
What does a normal race day look like for you? (I mean with this question something like: Getting to the start of the stage, what is done before the cyclists get on their bike etc.)
My normal race day includes preparing the daily program and distributing it around to the staff at the race. I work on the race map and have a meeting with the riders and staff, both before and after the race. I also handle individual strategy talks with the riders and staff. I make sure we all (as a team) are ready, that all tasks are covered and that we are ready to participate at the event, It’s my duty to make sure every member of the team is highly motivated.
You retired in 2006, and in 2007 you became a sports director on Navigators cycling team, the same team you were riding for. How did you come to switch over to Team Type 1 in 2008?
By the end of the 2007, Navigators decided to end its sponsorship. I soon heard about a new team, the Team Type 1 project. I was recommended and approached by the GM and was initially hired as an assistant director. It was my new beginning!
You have 5 grand tour participations under your belt, is there any member of the Team Novo Nordisk squad that you think can complete a Grand Tour with diabetes?
We have talented young riders. I believe in a couple of years that we will have a team ready for one of the three Grand Tours.
How does the knowledge that some riders will have to inject themselves due to their diabetes affect your race plan? Does it change the tactics you have to use?
No, it doesn’t affect our plans. The riders work together with the team doctor to manage their diabetes effectively during races.
What do you do to relax/switch off from cycling?
I like to spend time with my family. We like to take cruises, particularly in the Caribbean, and watch movies.
In which way does social media (eg twitter, strava) influence you? For example training and pre- & post-racing routine?
Team Novo Nordisk is very active on social media and it’s a great way to engage with our fans. For me, I get online to get the news. My favorite cycling website is cyclingnews.com. Every morning, I also read Reuters and some international media. |
