INTERVIEW - Felipe Orts previews home European Championships: "A bit of mud would have been better for me"

This weekend the prestigious Cyclocross European Championships will be held in Spain. In Pontevedra, the Spanish riders will have an extra motivation to dream of medals.

This is the case of Felipe Orts, great aspirant of the Spanish national team to go for the best possible result in the elite men's race on Sunday. Our very own Rubén Silva was able to interview Orts this Saturday, and the 29-year-old rider offered some very interesting words to CyclingUpToDate.

First of all, Felipe Orts is part of the Spanish team for the Mixed Relay that will compete today with Miguel Rodríguez, Benjamín Noval, Lorena Patiño, Aroa Otero and Sofía Rodríguez.

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Interview with Felipe Orts

Q: Do you think Spain will win?

A: "We are going to try, of course. We don't know exactly what will happen because in the end I think the level is quite uneven, especially in the women. I think that's why you can't assess exactly how each one's lap is going to be. But for sure it will be very tight and we will fight for the victory".

But the most important thing for Felipe Orts, of course, will be Sunday's elite men's race.

Q: The circuit is going to be very dry and fast, do you think it will give you a better chance to compete for the medals?

A: "I think that with the sensations I've had in the first month of competition, with a bit of mud and harder to make it more selective I would have been better off. But it is true that there is a little more room for surprises and more things can happen. Any detail will make a difference and we will try not to have any problems and at the last minute we will be able to fight".

Q: Finally, do you think that this Pontevedra circuit particularly favours anyone?

A: "I think Eli Iserbyt is one of the favorites. Thibau Nys if he goes with a big group at the end I think so too. But there are many riders who are in a good moment and they will all fight for the victory".

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