10/01/2023

Jan Tratnik will focus his season to be in his best at Giro: "I want to be completely ready to go for victory with Primoz Roglic"

Jan Tratnik is one of the fresh new faces in Jumbo-Visma squad for this 2023 season. The 32 year old had a very interesting last season specially ate the early season classics where he achieved his best results there so far. Now that the new season is almost starting, the Slovenian seems to have recharged all the batteries to ride it.

"I have had a quieter off-season. I spent my holidays at home instead of under the palm trees. In November, I started getting into the rhythm and increasing fitness a bit, with low-intensity training sessions. Then we started to raise the bar a bit in December, the experienced hard rider continued. With my new team we spent 12 days in Spain for a training camp, after which I continued training during the Christmas holidays. On 1 January my transfer was official and the new season then really started. So my life is now focused on two months of hard work, so that I am as ready as I can be for the first races. Eat, train, sleep, repeat - something like that", said Tratnik in his own blog website.

Jan Tratnik to begin 2023 season at Omloop het Nieuwsblad before riding in support of Roglic's quest for pink at Giro d'Italia

Despite being a very sought-after rider due to his good season and riding characteristics, when Jumbo-Visma reached him, everything went smoothly and the Slovenian seems to be excited about his new team.

"A deal was quickly struck. They have made considerable progress in recent years and that applies to every rider who rides there. That was something I also wanted to experience. I want to become the best fresh of me, so that when I stop I don't have to blame myself. Because I know I got the maximum out of it", he stated.

Wout van Aert on his victory in Zonhoven - "It was very tough. But with all the crowd in the famous Kuil, it was super nice"

"At Jumbo-Visma that is possible, I am firmly convinced of that. They provide me with the best material and in terms of nutrition they are also at the highest level. If I can improve one or two per cent in that area, that's a lot. I also notice that the change of environment has a positive effect on my motivation: new people, a different culture and more ambitions. All that only motivates me more, I can't wait to continue training and get to start my first matches", added Tratnik clearly excited and confident about his new team.

Tratnik will probably not have the same freedom has he had in Bahrain so his individual chances probably decreased with this move but that is something that the Slovenian already knew prior to signing for it, "Of course, my role here will be a bit different.I will mainly be a servant, but I have no problems with that. The team spirit and the knowledge that everyone who is part of the team is responsible for victories here is strong. I sincerely cannot wait until I can start".

Vingegaard on Tour de France title defense: "Everything falls on my shoulders, but I can handle that"

Tratnik is scheduled to start with the Opening classics Weekend in Belgium, then Strade Bianche, Milan-Sanremo and Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. "In Liege-Bastogne-Liège, I want to get my legs ready for the biggest goal of the season: the Giro d'Italia. Everything we do is centered on the Giro. I want to be completely ready there to go for victory with Primoz Roglic," concluded Tratnik about his last races before Giro d'Italia where he will be a faithful helper of his good friend Primoz Roglic.