RadioShack's Jani Brajkovic took the biggest win of his career at the Criterium du Dauphine on Sunday over the biggest name in the sport, Alberto Contador.
Brajkovic was a happy winner, but wasted no time in talking about the man he managed to get the better of this week: "Alberto tried a lot of times, but I was always able to respond. I'm not so sure that in one month it will be the case again. We have to admit that he was not yet in super condition. This race was probably not a goal for him."
Brajkovic doesn't play down his own performance though: "On the other hand, we worked for it and everything went so perfectly. I had the good form, I had the luck on my side, the time trial suited me so well, and the team was really un-be-lie-va-ble. At no moment were things not under control. I never had to panic. I had all the time to enjoy this victory. If we didn't lose Haimar Zubeldia on the first stage it would maybe have been easier for Ben Ben Hermans, Chris Horner, Markel Irizar, Geoffroy Lequatre, Sergio Paulinho, and Tomas Vaitkus - they were all incredible."
Both team director Alain Gallopin and team manager Johan Bruyneel were extremely pleased with Brajkovic's performance. Gallopin says, "When you look at the palmares of the Dauphine, you will see that only big riders win this race. I think Jani made a big step today." Bruyneel agrees: "This victory will change a lot of things for Jani."
Bruyneel continues, "First of all, he was really the strongest rider in this race. He was third in the prologue, he won the time trial, and he was the best uphill. He deserves this victory, but he deserves this too for all the previous work he did for this. I've worked almost six years with him. I know him as a rider who does everything to succeed in becoming a super professional rider. The only thing that he sometimes missed was confidence in himself. This victory will change that. He showed his teammates he is worth working for. I see a nice future for Jani."
In Brajkovic's eyes, the win was no surprise: "I have been very consisten this year. I have been in the top ten of all of the stage races I've done. I didn't just suddenly become a very good rider. I've always been at a good level. But so far, I've never rested enough. This year, I paid attention to recovery, so that I could get back my freshness. I will have a lot more confidence with me from now on. I always thought I could win races. I know my abilities, but I know I will not always be the best. To win, it takes a form of art. It's a journey."
Indeed, Brajkovic's season so far has been a model of consistency. He started in February with a 4th place overall finish at the Giro di Sardegna. The success continued after that with 11th overall at Paris-Nice, then 9th at the Volta a Catalunya. A second place in the time trial at the Vuelta Castilla y Leon catapulted him to 4th overall. The success continued into May with a 5th overall at the Tour de Romandie, then 9th overall at the Tour of California. Brajkovic's season was already excellent before he even started the Dauphine in Evian-les-Bains last weekend, but after a stage win, a second place, a third place, and the overall at the Dauphine, this is without question his best half season performance yet, perhaps his best season ever, even if he stopped right now and didn't race again in 2010.
Brajkovic's huge performance at the Dauphine would be a sure ticket to July's Grand Boucle on any other team, but for Brajkovic and RadioShack, his July plans are still a mystery. His next step following his Dauphine victory is very definite though: "First, I will take some rest. I am excited and still motivated, but now I will take it easy for some day. I already have 50 race days on my calendar."
The question of the Tour de France was posed to Brajkovic in Sallanches this afternoon, but he answered the same as he did in the days before: "I do not know, this is not decided." He turned to his director, Gallopin, for further direction, and Gallopin confirmed: "Today, the chances are 50-50. The decision will be made at the end of the Tour de Suisse next Sunday."