El ciclista vallisoletano atiende a MARCA tras proclamarse campeón de España de fondo en carretera en Granada. Romeo, que correrá su primer Tour de Francia este verano, analiza su victoria, sus ambiciones en la ‘Grand Boucle’ y su progresión como una de las grandes promesas del pelotón internacional.
¿Cómo se vive la mañana después de proclamarse campeón de España? ¿Has dormido bien?
Bueno, sí, aunque me ha costado un poco. Me pasa siempre que después de una victoria me levanto a mitad de la noche y luego me cuesta volver a dormirme. Pero bueno, que sean esos los problemas.
¿Cómo se gestó tu triunfo en Granada? ¿Cómo fue ese hachazo final?
La verdad es que no lo sé muy bien, fue una carrera tan loca que es difícil hacer un análisis. A falta de 100 kilómetros ya éramos solo 20 corredores en cabeza. A partir de ahí fueron palos y más palos. Yo sabía que mi baza era atacar de lejos, y logré encontrar una situación que me favorecía en un grupo de tres. Me fui solo en el Pantano de Quéntar, a unos 20 de meta, y una vez escapado sabía que sería difícil que me pillaran.
Ahora te toca el sábado estrenar el maillot de campeón de España. ¿Sabes ya cómo será el diseño?
No, todavía no lo sé. Si tú lo sabes, mándame una foto. Espero que hagan un diseño chulo y que todos lo podamos disfrutar.
¿Qué esperas del Tour de Francia y de esa contrarreloj de Caen que se adapta bien a tus características?
Desde luego que es un objetivo. Estoy en buen estado de forma y esa crono la tengo entre ceja y ceja. Espero tener un buen día, hacer un buen papel y, sobre todo, apoyar a Enric toda la primera semana, que será importante para el resto del Tour.
¿Qué significa para ti debutar en el Tour?
Es mi mayor sueño. Quiero disfrutarlo. Con la temporada que llevo no tengo que meterme presión. Mi idea es encontrarme bien día a día y sacar conclusiones para el futuro, ver cómo respondo tras tantos días de carrera. Si llega algo bueno, bienvenido sea, pero ahora mismo solo pienso en vivir la experiencia.
¿Si te fuera todo mal de aquí a final de año, ya darías por notable tu temporada?
Hombre, un 8 sí que me pondría. Aunque soy exigente y acabaría con mal sabor de boca si saliera todo mal. Pero si me dices al empezar el año que iba a tener tres victorias —una en Dauphiné, otra en Valencia y el Campeonato de España—, lo firmaba sin dudar. Estoy muy contento con cómo está yendo todo.
¿Qué tipo de corredor es Iván Romeo? Algunos te ven como el nuevo Indurain, otros como el heredero de José Iván Gutiérrez por las cronos. ¿Tú cómo te defines?
Yo soy Iván Romeo. No intento ser como otros corredores del pasado, por muy buenos que hayan sido. Intento forjar mi propio camino y mi propia personalidad como ciclista. No sé qué tipo de corredor soy, pero creo que la gente va a disfrutar. No creo que gane muchas carreras, pero las que gane las disfrutarán.
¿Qué te ha dicho el equipo tras esta victoria? ¿Qué papel vas a tener en el Tour?
Todavía no hemos hablado demasiado, pero en el Campeonato me dieron la responsabilidad, y eso me motiva. En el Tour será distinto, aunque seguro que tendré alguna oportunidad. Estoy muy agradecido a Eusebio y al equipo por darme libertad pero sin presión, que es algo muy difícil de encontrar hoy en día.
Tu familia también vive esto con intensidad. ¿Cómo están viviendo esta evolución tuya?
Para ellos es súper especial. Siempre han sido mi mayor apoyo. Este año está volviendo todo a ser como antes, cuando ganábamos mucho, solo que ahora es en otra categoría. Ayer estaban en Granada y hoy ya de vuelta en Valladolid para trabajar. Somos una familia muy normal y lo disfrutan casi más que yo.
En el Tour vas a coincidir con Pogacar y Vingegaard. ¿Qué es lo que más te impresiona de ellos?
Creo que lo que más me impresiona es que no me voy a enterar de nada. Me encanta ver el Tour con mi hermano, lo sigo todos los años, pero no sé si este año después de correrlo me van a quedar ganas de ver la clasificación. Va a ser una experiencia rara, pero increíble también. Ver de cerca cómo se pelean dos corredores como ellos, aunque nos destrocen al resto, es un privilegio.
Se habla del nuevo ciclismo y de medidas para frenar los desarrollos por la velocidad. ¿Qué opinas?
Creo que el ciclismo evoluciona cada día. No tengo una opinión muy formada sobre ese tema porque es todo muy complejo. Buscamos cada pequeño detalle para mejorar, y a veces el problema somos nosotros mismos. Pero creo que vivimos una época dorada, con grandes corredores, formas de correr espectaculares y mucho espectáculo. Yo quiero aportar mi granito de arena.
Si ganas una etapa en el Tour, ¿qué apuesta haces?
No me atrevo a decir nada aquí, que luego me puedo arrepentir. Estoy seguro de que ya he hecho alguna apuesta con mi hermano, pero… la sacaremos después, como aquel vídeo del Mundial.
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