| 10/16/2001 | + NEWS
CELEBRATION POSTPONED
The City Hall in Torrelavega has postponed the homage for Oscar Freire until the new world champion feels it is appropriate and his commitments allow him to participate. The celebrations were cancelled because of the death of his maternal grandmother Maria Suarez, who was 88 years old. Freire had dedicated his World Championship title to her.
BELOKI COMES OUT OF THE HOSPITAL
Spanish cyclist Joseba Beloki was released yesterday from the San Francisco Javier Hospital in Lisbon, where he was interned with digestive problems.
SIGNING
Italian Giampaolo Caruso, Silver medallist in the Under 23 World Championships has signed a professional contract with Spanish Team ONCE.
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+ INTERVIEW
WORLD CHAMPION OSCAR FREIRE
Q. Your sprint was so good that you had plenty of time to raise your arms and come in smiling.
A. Yes, one doesn't win the Worlds everyday and one has to enjoy the moment. I will enjoy this Gold Medal more, because in 1999 I was in a cloud and I didn't realize what was going on.
Q. What is the difference between this Gold Medal and the one that you won in Verona in 1999?
A. The Gold in Verona was different, because I got there my second career win. That year I had raced very little and my win was a surprise, while now I started as one of the favorites. That first rainbow jersey changed my life and my career. That is why it will always be more special.
Q. Your two World titles have come after seasons that were plagued with physical problems.
A. Yes, I've had a year similar to when I won in Verona, because it was stop and go because of injuries. I don't know, maybe the secret is to race little.
Q. The curse of the rainbow doesn't work with you.
A. The season that I rode with the rainbow jersey I raced for 55 days and had 10 wins, including a bronze medal at the worlds. I hope that I have the same bad luck!
Q. What is your opinion of the work of the Spanish selection?
A. I want to thank them all, because the team has very good riders, with the quality to win and they sacrificed for me.
Q. At the moment of the sprint, it looked like you were going to be closed against the barriers.
A. It reminded me of the Gijon sprint at the Vuelta, where I was closed up, but this time I knew that the finish was different,
because we had ridden by there several times.
Q. How were you able to remain cool when Ullrich took off?
A. I tried to follow his first attack and I couldn't follow him, so I decided not to go after him anymore, because I knew that any escapees could be caught in the last section.
Q. Are you for the Worlds what Indurain was for the Tour de France?
A. I don't know, but what I do know is that cycling is not only the Tour. In Spain we have the custom of looking at the Grand Tours and not giving the Classics their real value.
Q. Could that vision be changing with you?
A. It could be changing. Since there is not a super-leader for the Tour like Indurain, people are noticing the World Championships and the Classics, where I am responding. The proof is in the Spanish riders themselves, most of which in other years were not interested in going to the Worlds, while this time they were among the best.
Q. Only nine riders have won two or three times at the Worlds (Road Race). Until you did, no Spanish had. (Olano won one road race title and one time trial).
A. I know that I have made history. With two World titles, I have already achieved as a rider, much more than I ever imagined that I would when I began. Even if I didn't achieve anything else, I have already done exceptionally well in my profession. But I'm 25 years old and I want more wins. I have just begun.
Q. In the days leading to the Worlds you had said that only Gold would do and you did. What is your new challenge?
A. Next season I want to race the whole World Cup. I know all the races, except Liege-Bastogne-Liege and I know that I can have good results. My objective is to win the World Cup one day and I hope that it is next year.
Q. And a third World title?
A. I have already done it twice, I can do it again. They tell me that next year's circuit in Belgium is very flat. There are very good sprinters in the peloton, but I have beaten them all.
Q. And you aren't tempted by the Vuelta or the Tour?
A. I prefer the World Cup because it is an objective within my reach, while I haven't shown that I can win a Grand Tour.
Q. Will you come back to Spain to sign with a Spanish team?
A. I don't think so. The Spanish teams don't value the Classics and I think that they are mistaken because they are great races and sources of great publicity. In order for me to sign with one of them, I have to go with a team that is going to do more than withdraw at the feed zone. On the contrary, Mapei has taught me how to think in terms of those races.
Q. Have you thought at any time that the injuries could mean the end of your career?
A. No. I've had bad moments in 1999 and at the start of this season, but I have overcome then with positive thinking. That is how I have arrived at my present state. I have learned to live with my lumbar pains, but now I know what I need to do in order to be able to train and compete.
Q. What was your worst moment?
A. Although most people don't know it, the worst time was the year that I rode with the Rainbow Jersey, because I saw myself with the pressure and the obligation to show that I didn't win the Worlds at Verona by chance. I had signed a good contract with Mapei and I had to respond to the confidence that they had placed in me. There could be no excuses.www.infociclismo.com
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