Juan José Cobo of the Geox-TMC team took a well-deserved timeout after three hard weeks in the saddle. The recent Vuelta a España winner was honored by the government of his home region Cantabria. Meanwhile, his directeur sportif praised everyone on the team for their share in Cobo's success.
Cobo offered a red leader's jersey to the Cantabrian government, which is featured on the jersey ("Cantabria Infinita"). In return, he received a replica of the Bison of Altamira. The latter is the logo used by the autonomous government of Cantabria to promote tourism to the region, based on a cave painting. It also happens that Cobo's nickname is "Bison from La Pesa."
Before the Geox team bus started a celebration round through Cantabria's capital of Santander, Cobo was excited about returning home. "It will be an occasion for all of us to be together," says Cobo, "and for me to thank everyone who supported me and helped me, especially the fans who spurred me on and cheered for me for the entire Vuelta, especially here on my hometown roads of Cantabria."
For Sports Director Joxean Fernandez Matxin, the experience was overwhelming. "These have been some unforgettable days which brought us to a perfect result destined to give Geox-TMC a new dimension," he says. "Our group worked harder than ever, everyone gave it their all to go for the best: individual victory and team victory, the jersey for the combined classification, a wonderful stage victory and many days as major players."
Each rider had a special role to play. "They are a fantastic group," says Matxin. "Thanks to their skills we were always able to carry out the right strategy. Too bad Mauricio Ardila had to withdraw so soon; he surely would have been a great help for the team." Those often forgotten in the celebration of an individual victory were pointed out by Matxin. "Matthias Brandle and Dimitriy Kozonchuk did an exceptional job, particularly on the plains, their territory. There were days when they alone took care of and controlled the group for many kilometers."
Matxin pointed out that it is not only about the bike. "David Blanco gave his best both from a sporting standpoint as well as for his human qualities, spreading calm in moments of tension and pouring out his soul when needed."
Menchov puts personal ambitions behind, Cobo finally clicks
Then you need to have those with personal ambitions who are team players enough to give up their own goals for their companions. "Fabio Duarte, who came to the Vuelta with personal ambitions, had no problem putting himself continually at the service of the team. The same goes for Carlos Sastre and Denis Menchov, with the difference that Fabio is building what may turn out to be a great career while they [Sastre and Menchov] already have some fantastic triumphs in their portfolios."
Sastre has the experience of many Grand Tours. "Carlos was a fundamental guide for Cobo and once Cobo became the leader Carlos made sacrifices for him and in spite of that he closed out at twentieth place in the general classification and ended up out front battling for the stage victory in Vitoria."
Menchov won the Vuelta twice and wanted to do so a third time, but once his chances were over he committed himself to Cobo. "Menchov was also a fantastic team player for Cobo; Denis gave up the battle for the podium and went to work for 'Juanjo', this says a lot about this champion's sporting and human qualities. Also, with his fifth position in the general classification, Menchov was essential in Geox-TMC's victory in the team classification."
A special mention went to key player David De La Fuente. "De la Fuente was superlative," explains Matxin. "He was Cobo's best supporter in the race and in moments outside of the race. He gave everything for him; he even gave up his chance to win the stage with arrival at La Farrapona to help the Bison." De La Fuente seemed to be everywhere. "He worked in the group, he got into breaks, he sprinted in the finals to prevent Froome from gaining seconds, he was fundamental to Cobo's victory."
Of course the one who had to bring it all home was the punchy rider of Northern Spain. "What can I say about Cobo, on the team we all knew he had potential, we knew his legs contained the possibility of clinching an important result, but he needed to free up something in his mind, and in this Vuelta it finally happened. The things he did throughout the race and especially on the Angliru – I think these will stay written in the history books of cycling for a long time. I feel proud for him and for having worked and won together with him and this team."
Matxin also praised the staff, from the soigneurs to the mechanics and the medical staff, as well as directeur sportif Daniele Nardello. "These people are the soul of the team and a huge part of the victory belongs to them, too. Let's hope this is the first in a long series of victories for Geox-TMC."