INTERVIEW | Jesús David Peña opens up on struggle to continue career after Jayco exit: "Nowhere opened the doors for me, it was very difficult"
Cycling
Before the start of O Gran Camiño, we were able to talk to Colombian cyclist Jesús David Peña who, after leaving Team Jayco AllUla over the recent off-season, has miraculously managed to stay in Europe thanks to the Portuguese team Tavira.
Peña tells our Spanish sister channel Ciclismoaldía the reasons for his departure from the Australian team and how he had to wait until he had a chance in Europe and not have to return to Colombia. It is not easy to earn a place in the old continent and he has succeeded. Now he enjoys the Galician and Portuguese roads.
P- You had good times at Team Jayco AlUla, why didn't they want to renew you?
A- Yes, we went through many moments, but last year they expected more from me, I had many problems in some races, punctures, injuries, I was sick and in the middle of the year they decided that they were not going to renew me and I had been looking for a team for a long time, but nowhere opened the doors for me, it was very difficult and now I have achieved it.
P- How did you get through the winter without equipment?
I was without a team but still preparing myself, as if it was a pre-season, I didn't know if I was going to race in Colombia or here in Europe so I prepared myself as I do every year and even with a little more motivation and well I think I'm in good shape, let's see.
P- How did you find the Tavira team?
A- Juan Campos contacted me, he told me that I had a good offer, all the teams were closed but that in Tavira they could make a space for me, get a bike, material to help me to race to have a chance in Europe, which was what I needed. Even if it was a small team, it was what I wanted if I could race here.
P- What have you heard about the Volta a Portugal?
A- Yes, I have noticed it, since I started talking with the director Vidal I realized that everything here revolves around the Tour of Portugal, you can see that it is very big here, all the races are around the Tour of Portugal. Everyone prepares the Tour of Portugal, I know it is a very hard race for those who have already done it, I would like to be able to compete in it. In Tavira everyone is proud of cycling, it is very important for them.
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