EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | "It was the highlight of my cycling career" - Urko Berrade talks 2024 La Vuelta win; climbing with Primoz Roglic and Enric Mas
Cycling
One of the most in-form Spanish cyclists is Urko Berrade, and it is clear that the 27-year-old rider is probably in the best moment of his career. He shined in the last Vuelta a Espana, and he is shining again in 2025. He talked to CyclingUpToDate and CiclismoAlDia at the start of the Figueira Champions Classic.
In fact, the Kern Pharma rider already knows what it's like to win this year. In his first race of the season, Berrade won the Camp de Morvedre. This Sunday he is looking for a great result in the Figueira Champions Classic, where we caught up with him before the race got underway.
Among other things, Urko Berrade talked about the calendar that awaits him in the near future. He also mentioned the issue of invitations to the Vuelta a España, where the controversy is growing. Javier Guillén announced that foreign teams are pushing to be able to race. The wildcard for Kern Pharma could be in danger.
We were also able to ask him about his great performance in the last edition of La Vuelta. The rider of the pharmaceutical team won a stage, the one in the Izki Natural Park, and competed against the best climbers in Picón Blanco, which is precisely the memory he keeps best.
After leaving La Vuelta, Berrade had no shortage of offers from several WorldTour teams. However, he stayed with Kern Pharma, and has also been able to give us his reasons for making that decision.
Below is the full interview.
Interview with Urko Berrade
Q: In 2025 you have already won the Camp de Morvedre. How do you feel at the moment? What are your objectives for the next few weeks?
A: "After the Figueira Champions Classic I will race O Gran Camiño and then the Volta a Catalunya".
Q: Your last week in the Vuelta a Espana was impressive, how did you manage to find the legs to get the stage win in that way?.
A: "I guess I had them from the beginning. I got more confident and as the race went on other riders got less confident. I held my own, and in fact I think I got better. On top of that, with that overconfidence I was throwing up barriers until I could keep up with the best".
Q: In Picón Blanco you climbed with Enric Mas and Primoz Roglic, how was the experience?
A: "I think it was the highlight of my cycling career. In such a hard mountain stage, being with people who are some of the best in the world made me see that by doing things right I can compete against them".
Q: After the Vuelta a España many teams showed interest in signing you. Why did you decide to stay with Kern Pharma?
A: "They have always shown a lot of confidence in me here. They have helped me in difficult moments. So I think it was time to give them back all the support they have given me over the years".
Q: Is it in your mind to return to the Vuelta a España this 2025?
A: "Hopefully. We are waiting for the wildcards. I guess they will be announced soon. We are waiting for them. But hopefully everything goes well and we can be among the invited teams."
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