Mestre - Winning a race would be huge

Saying Ricardo Mestre is heading into unchartered territory this year would be an understatement: The Portuguese is 29 years old, has never ridden for a team outside his own country (let alone a team ranked higher than Continental-level) and the Volta a Portugal is the biggest race he's ever done. Yet an overall title at the aforementioned race and consecutive GP Torres Vedras - Joaquim Agostinho triumphs suggests the native of Faro has the legs to compete at a higher level.

Mestre will of course get that opportunity in a few weeks, and he's naturally looking forward to it.

"I'm happy to be here, and hopefully it will go well", he told El Pedal de Frodo. "I'll do my best. It's a big change, but it's also a sign I'm still developing. I hope to learn more and perform better this year.

"I like it here, and I've been welcomed with open arms. It's what I expected it to be, and hopefully it will continue like this".

He wasn't too keen to discuss specific goals, but seemed aware he's likely to ride shotgun for the team's captains most of the time.

"If I'm able to be there and help the team win races, I'd be happy", he said. "And, of course, it would be huge to win a race on my own as well.

"Doing the Volta ao Algarve would be nice (as it's my home race), but I aim to get into shape at a later stage. I know part of my schedule, and I'll do Bessèges, Méditerranéen, Algarve, Murcia, Catalunya and more..."

And what headline would he like to see written about him at the end of the year?

"Ricardo Mestre surprises".

Photo: BiciCiclismo