MTB News: After moving to Team BULLS, Alban Lakata talks to us about his plans for the future, the good team chemistry with new partner Karl Platt and the somewhat unfortunate end of Canyon Topeak Factory Racing.
Hello Alban, nice to see you here, but honestly a bit surprising. How did your move to Team BULLS come about? Have you had plans for a long time?
The first contact came through Karl (Platt, team driver Team BULLS, note d. editor.) conditions. He has a good standing in the team. And when Karl has something in his head, he doesn't give up that easily. When it was clear to me at the end of the season that Canyon Topeak Factory Racing would not continue, Karl approached me and asked me if I would not like to drive with him next season.
Did you know each other before? And is it really that easy?
Of course you know each other after so many years, but there was never really close contact. A few years ago, neither of us could have imagined that (laughs). Not because we didn't get along, but because somehow the idea was alien to both of us. Karl was Bulls, I was Canyon - that's it.
The situation was a bit difficult for me because I actually already had a very good contract from another team that was ready to be signed. But I would not have been 100% active in competitive sports there. I would still have started at races, but there I would also have taken care of the development of the bikes and the building of a team.
For many drivers your age, this would have been a logical step
Sure, yes. The new task would also have appealed to me. I may be 39, but I still have two or three very good years in the tank and a few goals that I still want to achieve in my racing career. When Karl came to me with the idea, the racing driver in me blew out and I really wanted it.
Is it that easy? Two drivers talk about the change and that's it?
(laughs) No, it's not that simple. Of course you have to say that MTB sport is still like a big family today. It may sound trite, but in practice it really is. That's one of the reasons why we drivers still all work without a manager. Sure, it's also about money and maybe someone like that would help, but somehow it doesn't quite fit the philosophy. In addition, of course, Karl helped build the BULLS team and his word carries weight in management.
What convinced you to switch?
I had the feeling that a change of scenery could take me to a higher level as an athlete. After all, I was always with the same team ten years before and there was just a bit too much routine creeping in, I have to admit in retrospect. It always worked out well and was my sporting home, but unconsciously you just make yourself a little too comfortable as an athlete. Also, winning the Cape Epic is one of the things I'm missing in my career. Driving this race with Karl was almost reason enough for me. Last but not least, I was also convinced that I was offered a two-year contract with an option for a third.
A look at Alban Lakta's new work tool: The Bulls Black Adder Team Edition
https://www.velomotion.de/2018/12/first-ride-bulls-black-adder-team-2019-im-kurztest/
The length of the contract in particular is no longer a matter of course these days
Yes, unfortunately that's what it looks like. Most recently I only had a 1-year contract and that puts a lot of pressure on the one hand and on the other hand it puts the sporting perspective on shaky legs. If things don't go so well at a World Cup, for example, it's not just the personal doubts that gnaw at you, you also have concrete concerns about the future. If you have a multi-year contract there, you can feel the support and you can draw new motivation and strength from it. That's exactly why such a short-term thing was out of the question for me, especially not with a new team.
At this point, let's briefly recap this season and the end of Canyon Topeak Factory Racing. How surprising did all this come to you?
As soon as I signed the contract for my last year, I had the feeling that it was coming to an end. I remember when I was on the plane on the way to the contract negotiations. I really wanted to have a two-year, if possible even three-year contract. I was told very clearly that they couldn't do that because the other team sponsors only had contracts for one year. That's when I thought to myself... something seems to be up. Since that was also the case with all my teammates, it was actually clear to me where the journey was going.
The sporting success was actually right...
Apparently things are going too well for Canyon, without wanting to blame anyone. The bikes are selling like hot cakes at the moment even without the additional PR via the team. Of course, we have also done good preparatory work over the last few years, which will certainly be useful in the future. Canyon supports a lot of athletes and teams and I understand that you have to make a decision at some point. Of course, I still thought it was a shame at the time. On the one hand, I'm grateful for the support over many years and the opportunities that were offered to me, on the other hand, I'm still not entirely happy with how things turned out in the end.
What do you mean by that specifically?
Unfortunately, we were put off for a long time and left in the dark. One day it was said that it might go on after all, then there was no more information and quite shortly after the World Cup there was the definitive announcement that it was over. There was a lack of transparency, which was a shame.
The end is never pretty, for no one in the team. Not for those in charge, not for the athletes and not for supervisors, mechanics, etc. Especially when you work together as long as we did back then, you grow together. And all of a sudden it's all over.
Did the situation around the team also concern you in the competitions?
The stalemate with the team and the contract spoiled the season a bit for me. By my standards, it was a mixed, sometimes even bad year. Unfortunately, the World Cup was a total mess, second place at Cape Epic isn't bad, but on the other hand it's so far away. Otherwise there were still a few podium places, but there weren't any great successes.
Somehow I wasn't quite there mentally. Especially at the World Cup, that still bothers me. I was in good shape, the power values were where they should be, but my head didn't play along. That was always my great strength in the past. Being focused, tunnel vision at the right moment. I lost that in the last year.
Do you have a specific situation in mind?
At the World Championships, one of the trails was changed at very short notice and I promptly lost more than two minutes to the top of the race there. That made me so insecure at that moment and I kept asking myself how this could have happened to me. My head just wasn't on it. The focus was missing and then it's not enough at this level. I don't want to blame it entirely on the situation around the team, but it certainly played a big role.
So now a new chapter in your career with Team BULLS. How were you received?
The signature on the contract is still wet, but I already feel a little at home here. I already have everything I need for training, bike, clothes, equipment and the team has already given me a great reception. I'm really happy, especially with the many young drivers in the team. Bulls have always done that right – there have always been young drivers in the team, which I think is very important for good team chemistry.
As a three-time marathon world champion, acceptance shouldn't be a big problem anyway...
Of course I'll bring my previous successes and my name to the new team, but I'm aware that I have to establish my standing here too. That is also natural for me.
What did you notice the most in your first few weeks with the team?
The team here already has very good structures. This is also due to Friedemann (Schmude, Team Manager Team BULLS, note d. editor), who has been with us forever and knows exactly how things work. That's something I'm really excited about and something I've already felt in the month that I've been involved with the team. The organization around the team is great and as a driver you can really focus 100% on your own job.
New team, new partner and with the Cape Epic the first highlight of the season right at the beginning - are you still nervous with your routine?
But of course! Karl is 40, I'm 39, but we're both really excited and a bit nervous. A bit like a new love (laughs). I'm really curious how the Tankwa Trek (Preparation race for Cape Epic, note d. editor) then will work. How does communication work in stressful racing situations? We both bring the experience with us, but it still takes some time to adjust to a new partner.
You've competed at the Cape Epic many times, but so far you've never been able to win. Why will it be different this year?
That's right, I'm at the starting line there for the tenth time this year. I believe that Karl and I are exactly on the same wavelength in terms of race tactics and that is our greatest strength. Sure, I had a very good partner before, but we often didn't harmonize perfectly tactically in the race. He always gave a top performance, often better than me, but he liked to give it his all right at the beginning and then had to cut something at the end - for me it's more the opposite - and fortunately for Karl too.
Have you already talked about the race? How do you want to proceed tactically?
There is only one way for us to win the race: staying power. We definitely have what it takes, even though the Cape Epic has evolved a bit more towards the XCO guys over the years.
Doesn't it feel strange to be at the start together with the formerly big competitor?
Karl and I have always been big competitors, actually for as long as I can remember. He was always more of a specialist in stage races, I had my strengths in the one-day races, but you clearly see the other as a competitor. I think it's all the more brilliant now that we can ride together.
In terms of experience, no one should be able to fool you that easily.
It really appeals to me that Karl and I, at our age, can still show that even in your late 30s or early 40s you don't belong in marathon sports if you work hard on yourself. I see us as a bit of a role model. Many already tend to write off cyclists over the age of 30, especially on the road … although Valverde has just proved the opposite there.
Speaking of Valverde, do you personally follow road cycling?
Yes, yes! What fascinates me about most road cyclists is this incredible drive to keep getting better, even at a young age. However, there is no question that there is sometimes an exaggeration.
During your career, did you ever think about switching to the streets?
Played maybe, but never seriously engaged in it. I actually come from volleyball. It was then that I realized that I really didn't want to be dependent on a team. In the end I would like to reap the power I put into it and be able to ride it on my own account. But what still interests me a lot and plays a role in some considerations is the time trial.
time trial? Tell me!
This year I took the first step and competed in the national time trial championship and it went pretty well. Sure, it wasn't perfect by far... there's still room for improvement in terms of the seating position and the material, and I was unlucky and was out in the rain for a long time, while it was dry for the top guys. In terms of performance data, however, I was able to keep up with the top.
So there are enough goals for the future! Alban, thanks for your time!
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