"The routes in my town were steep and curved, it was cold... and in Belgium I found something similar" - Jhonatan Narváez explains how he became a first-class classics specialist

Jhonatan Narváez arrived to Europe with an idea of becoming a top-level climber, but in the end he found himself to be made for cobbled classics, something unprecedented for a region that gave the cycling world some of the best GC riders of the past decade.

"I have done well in some classics, it is true, but everyone usually does well," he told ciclismointernacional with a certain modesty. "I like them, I'm not going to lie to you, I wanted to be a climber and win in races like Catalunya or the Basque Country. But then I realized that it was there – in the one-day races – where I could prove myself and that influenced me," he continued.

"Since I was little, in my town the geography was similar to the classic pavé ones. The routes in my town were steep and curved, it was cold... and in Belgium I found something similar," he explained. "Also, I really like adrenaline and in those races there is plenty of it," he added.

At 26 years old, the Ecuadorian's contract runs out in 2024, and that will come into play when it comes to racing. Because furthermore, this is a job and Narváez wants to ensure his future. "I feel more pressure, but I also think that if you win you sign a good contract. The idea is to do well for tomorrow, to be old, to be well," he ventured.