Interview with Javier Gómez Noya, “I always go out to win; If you don't come out to win, they pass you over"
The Spanish Javier Gómez Noya, double world and European triathlon champion, who this Saturday will be the big attraction in the World Cup event to be held in Madrid, where he arrives as the leader of the competition, told Efe that he "always" goes out to win and will do so this weekend.
“I always go out to win; If you don't go out to win, they will overtake you," he explained in a telephone interview with EFE from the Madrid town of Tres Cantos, where he has been concentrated for the last eight days preparing for the Madrid Casa de Campo test, together with his coach - the Asturian Omar González - the Galician champion.
Gómez Noya returned to Spain on May 23 after competing with his team (EC Satrouville) in a French Grand Prix test (which he won in Dunkirk), to outline the two tests he has this month, which are very important for him: that of the World Cup in Madrid and the European Championship in Pontevedra, where he will fight, the last weekend of June, for a third continental title.
“I wanted to acclimatize, because the Madrid test always costs me. Maybe because of the altitude, since I usually train at sea level. This time it looks like it will be less hot than last year and that will be good for me. And that the test will be held at ten in the morning, too,” the double world champion of the Olympic sport that combines swimming with cycling and running told Efe.
Gómez Noya won the opening event of the World Cup last April in Sydney (Australia), which gives him the lead in Madrid, given that, due to the Fukushima catastrophe, it was postponed until September - after the Great Final in Beijing - and scoring for next year's World Championship, the second race, scheduled a few weeks ago in Yokohama, also in Japan.
“The postponement of Yokohama didn't change my plans much either and it didn't affect me that much. Madrid is a very important test, because it is from the World Cup and it motivates me, but almost even more important this time is the European, because it is a race that decides a title and this time it is held in Pontevedra, at home," he said. Gomez Noya.
“That doesn't mean that in Madrid I'm not going to go out and try to do the best I can. The objective is to win. I always want to win. Although the level is very high and that will not be easy. But if you don't go out with the idea of winning, you don't win. They run over you,” the Ferrol triathlete born in Basel (Switzerland) 28 years ago told Efe.
“In Madrid I think there will be, except for (the British) Tim Don, all the best. I don't know if thanks to the Yokohama postponement or not. But practically everyone will be there. And, above all, the (English brothers Alistair and Jonathan) Brownlee stand out, who are setting the standard right now. After what I have seen in the last sprint tests in France, I can guarantee you that they are very strong,” he declared.
"They are very similar," explained Javi, about the English brothers, with whom he shares a team in the French club league.
“Alistair is one point above, but Jonathan is very strong, as he showed last year in London and this year in Sydney (he was second, behind him, in both tests). For me, they are the two big favorites for Saturday in Madrid,” Gómez Noya told Efe, who, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, will be in the Spanish capital focused on all the events related to the World Cup event.
“I don't know how the Spaniards are doing, because I haven't seen them in a while, but (the Galician) Iván (Raña, world champion in 2002) has a lot of experience and Madrid motivates him, so he can do well. He ran some good races this year and I'm sure he'll be there. (The Balearic) Mario (Mola), depending on the swimming, can be dangerous. And Ramón (Ejeda), who lives in Madrid, will have extra motivation,” he commented.
“In girls, (Guipuzcoan) Ainhoa (Murúa) is at a great level. The circuit is tough and could be good for you. (Vizcaya) Zuriñe (Rodríguez) and (Madrid) Marina (Damlaimcourt) will try to get points,” said Javi, for whom the Casa de Campo circuit “is one of the toughest in the World Championship.”
“It is hard, especially, because of the eight bike climbs up the cable car slope, about 800 meters. And if it's hot, it will be even harder. Running, on the way it 'pica' upwards; and on the way back, down. Madrid is more of a test of endurance and strength than a fast race. It will be hard,” Gómez Noya concluded.
Source: adn.es
