En un día con el reloj como protagonista y la incertidumbre flotando en la meta de Sierra Nevada, Abel Balderstone (24 años) vivió este viernes la mayor alegría de su carrera. El ciclista de Caja Rura-Seguros RGA conquistó su primer triunfo élite de campeón de España de contrarreloj en una cronoescalada durísima de 14 kilómetros, donde además de piernas hizo falta temple. Tras una espera tensa, llegó la confirmación: victoria y maillot de campeón nacional. El catalán, ex del Valverde Team, se sentó con MARCA visiblemente emocionado tras un éxito que recordará siempre.
¿Qué supone esta victoria en el Campeonato de España?
Una alegría muy buena, una victoria espectacular. Había un poco de nervio antes de salir, pero sabía que podía hacerlo bien. Todo mi equipo estaba apoyándome y eso me ha dado buenas sensaciones. Y ya ves, hemos podido ganar.
Un triunfo grande para usted y para Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
Sí, para el equipo es muy importante. Llevamos todo el año peleando y conseguir esto es una gran recompensa. Además, si no me equivoco, cuatro corredores más del equipo estaban en el top 10, así que estamos muy contentos.
¿Había alguna promesa especial si ganaba? ¿Algo tipo hacer el Camino de Santiago si se llevaba esta victoria?
No, la verdad es que no había surgido eso (risas).
Pero se le ha visto sensiblemente emocionado.
Mucho. Además, con toda la incertidumbre de los tiempos, hasta que se ha confirmado… Cuando lo han hecho oficial, me he derrumbado. Ha sido como un ‘VAR ciclista’.
El Campeonato de España de crónica se resolvió con polémica. Los corredores lo explicaron en meta.
Pasó por el Valverde Team. ¿Cómo recuerda esa etapa?
Muy buena. Siempre he disfrutado de la bicicleta y de todos los equipos por los que he pasado. Son procesos importantes que me han ayudado a crecer, así que muy contento con esa etapa también.
Precisamente por aquí está Alejandro Valverde, ¿hablaron?
No, no lo he visto aún. A ver si lo veo y hablamos un rato.
¿Cuáles son sus próximos objetivos?
Ahora tengo la prueba en ruta del Campeonato de España este domingo. Queremos confirmar que las sensaciones siguen siendo buenas y ojalá podamos disfrutar también ahí. Y después voy a China, que es una carrera dura, con mucha altitud. ¡A ver qué tal va!
¿A quién dedica este triunfo?
A mi familia y a mi chica, que siempre ha estado a mi lado, aunque no esté aquí conmigo. Va por ellos.
¿Cómo había preparado esta contrarreloj?
La había preparado bien en altura, en Andorra. Sabíamos que lo decisivo era mantener la fuerza arriba, en la parte final. Gracias a eso he podido estar en la pelea.
El maillot de campeón, que se estrenaba justo este viernes, ahora es suyo. ¿Le gusta?
Sí, la verdad es que es muy chulo (lo enseña a cámara). Blanco, ¡muy elegante!
¿Dónde lo va a colgar? ¿Ha pensado ya un hueco ideal en su casa?
De momento, en mi habitación (risas). Y si tiene que ir a algún otro sitio, ya veremos…
¿Siente que a partir de ahora más gente le conocerá?
Bueno, creo que mucha gente ya me conocía. Y la que no, pues ahora que me siga y que me vea correr.
¿Cuál cree que es su techo? ¿Sueña con una etapa en LaVuelta?
Ese es el objetivo. Siempre poder estar en una Vuelta a España es importante. Y disputar una etapa con un equipo como Caja Rural sería de lo más bonito que hay.
La última, ¿cuáles han sido sus referentes en el ciclismo?
Sobre todo Alberto Contador. Me gustaba mucho su estilo y su manera de correr. Me quedo con él.
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