Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek) has just finished his second Grand Tour of the year; an last-minute entry into the Tour de France to replace a teammate who had to pull out. He finished 25th overall in his second Tour.
Canadian Cyclist: Last time I interviewed you was at Road Nationals, when you won the time trial. I asked you what your schedule looked like, and you said it was all prep for the Road Worlds. Then, a few day later, it's announced you are going to the Tour!
Derek Gee-West: Yeah, it was a bit of a last minute thing. I knew there was a chance, but it wasn't a super high chance. So, I got the call up and, actually, it was nice to get that spot.
CC: So did they call you at Nationals to say, "Hey, you need to get on a plane."?
DGW: No, because there was a chance, right from the Giro. It was pretty low, so I wasn't saying I was going to the Tour, because I didn't think I was, but I already had a flight back right after Nationals. So no extra time at home.
CC: You went into this Grand Tour a little differently from previous ones, where you had known and prepared specifically for it. So how was it going in without all that prep?
DGW: There's definitely different elements to it. Not coming in with a specific goal of GC, and more being there to support the guys who have had it on their calendar since December, and who are flying and have these big goals ... it was actually super nice, because I knew that I could help in the TTT and be an asset there, and on the days when the legs were good I was able to be a big part in what these guys were doing. And when the legs weren't good, we had a really good supporting cast to pick up the pieces. It was actually a really, really well built team, and to come without having it on the plan was, I think, okay.
CC: I wanted ask about the TTT, because it was very different from a traditional TTT; not having the time taken from the fifth rider across the line and not having to worry about dropping other riders.
DGW: It was super interesting. Obviously, we had Juan [Ayuso] and Mattias Skjelmose going for GC, and Mattias had a mechanical. It is a very strange event ... Juan took off and got his time across the line and I had done my last pull for him, so I sat up, waited for Mattias and did a pull for him. It's definitely a very unique event, but it makes the race really, really interesting.
CC: So is this something you feel actually works for Grand Tours, as opposed to the traditional, fifth across the line version?
DGW: Yes, 100%. I think maybe it adds another strategic element to it; how to best utilize your team. I think, it's also maybe less detrimental to teams that are not TT heavy. I'm a big fan of it, for sure.I think it made for some exciting bike racing . They both have their place, but it is nice to have a unique format.
CC: Your team obviously had multiple goals - Juan going for GC, but also Mads [Pedersen] going for the Points Jersey, which he won. Was there a split in the team, with some guys working for Mads and some for Juan, or did it vary, depending on the stage?
DGW: It was that way [the first] coming into the race; certain guys are picked to help certain riders. Whether they are just similar rider types, or they ride well together, but it quickly evolves into all hands on deck for the different goals. You could even see Mads go out there and do some insane racing to get to an intermediate [sprint], and then come back and, before he blew up, help the GC guys wherever he could. The atmosphere in the team was really good and we all got along really well. Also, I think we were all willing to be all hands on deck for as many goals as possible.
CC: Juan was seventh, which is a strong result, but probably not as strong as you guys were hoping for ... On the other hand, Mads wins the Green Jersey and you guys win the Team competition. So, overall, how's the team feeling about their Tour?
DGW: I think really happy. Obviously, Juan came in with bigger goals, but both GC guys got through it in the top-10. It's a process, right? First year on the team [for Ayuso] and he's still only 23. But, it's sort of nice - you don't hit all the goals and it's something to work on for the next year. The team is really, really happy with how we came out of the Tour.
CC: And you? I guess it's technically your 'worst' Grand Tour finish, but it was still top-25, so how are you feeling about it overall from a personal perspective?
DGW: It definitely took a little bit of adapting, because I was there with essentially no personal ambition. All in to help the guys with their goals. In the four Grand Tours I've done, in the first one I was stage hunting almost every day. And the next three were for the GC. So the first few gruppettos I sat up in, I was really shocked to feel, "hold on, I don't have to be stressed right now! I don't have to be going full gas to try and limit time losses, that's not my job!". So, it's quite liberating, actually. However, sometimes it makes the days on the bike a little long. It was definitely an adjustment, especially after having just finished the Giro for GC, but a welcome one.
CC: Since you hadn't specifically prepared for doing back-to-back Grand Tours, how did you feel going through it with the form you had? Did you notice a difference?
DGW: Yes, massively. The first thing, the biggest thing at the start was the heat, but once the heat broke, or I got used to it, then the biggest thing I noticed was inconsistency. I definitely didn't feel I was missing too much of my level when the legs were there. Stage 19 I felt like I had really, really good legs; really similar to how I feel in the third week of Grand Tours when I'm fully prepped. So, I got to Stage 20 thinking 'oh, I'll just be fine again', and the legs were a bit empty. So, definitely the [lack of] consistency is what I noticed the most. Unlike a Grand Tour when I'm fully prepped and the legs get going, I count on them for the remainder of the race. This was kind of hit or miss.
CC: And Pogacar joined the five-time winners club...
DGW: Pretty impressive. At this point it's almost expected, it was just a matter of time.There was some super good racing behind him for the rest podium and the top five! When you have that level of dominance, where you can spend the hardest Grand Tour stage I've seen in a long time riding for your teammate's podium, it's pretty impressive.
CC: Now I get to ask you again: what's next?
DGW: Now I know, no more uncertainty! I'll race San Sebastian next weekend and then take a nice break. Then hopefully Philadelphia - I'll be back to Canada and train in Bromont for a little while, then Philadelphia, Quebec, Montreal, and world championships. Hopefully at that point the season is done! That's the plan right now.
CC: So people in the Bromont area might see some guy in a Lidl-Trek jersey riding around.
DGW: Yup, yup. End of August I'm heading back to Canada.
CC: This was your fifth Grand Tour, so you are becoming a veteran.
DGW: Unfortunately, they don't feel like they are getting any shorter or any easier!
