www.chechurubiera.info - an online magazine for fans of Chechu Rubiera
MEDIA 2010
Also 2001-2006 : 2006 : 2007 : 2008 : 2009
Spanish translations by Christine Kahane and Rebecca Bell.
29 May 2010
Rubiera: "Lance will be in the top five in the Tour de France"
The Gijon rider returned from California with severe after-effects from a fall
By JE Cima, La Neuva España
Chechu Rubiera was interviewed the day before yesterday in his Muño home.
Chechu Rubiera (Gijón 1973) returned the day before yesterday from the Tour of California with his body hurting all over and many bruises on the head, body and limbs caused by a fall he suffered eight days ago in which Lance Armstrong was also involved.
The Baldornón rider says "I have participated already three times in that race and like it because the Americans organise such events very well in terms of the participation, the media, the environment, and attracting lots of spectators. It’s an example of organisation for everybody. They only lack participating in a Pro-Tour race."
But that did not prevent falls, according to the Gijón rider, because "the teams there fight hard to be
at the front and take risks. This tension produces falls even on four-lane roads. In the Armstrong pack, I was the first to fall, because I was kicked in the front wheel. It’s a miracle, taking into account how my helmet and my bike were smashed to pieces, as well as the the way my body was bruised, not to have any broken bones as was the case for others. Now I’ll have some rest, I’ll take care of my back, because all my body is sore, and will begin my preparaton for the Vuelta a España, which includes some good stages in Asturias, starting with the Tour of Austria in July”.
Armstrong has already recovered and is returning to competition in the Tours of Luxembourg and Switzerland, in view of the Tour de France. Rubiera explains that "a crack in the elbow was excluded. Lance looked good in California because he demonstrated a total change in comparison with the Vuelta a Murcia. It’s sure that he’ll be among the top five in the Tour, because he’ll be better prepared than last year when he came third despite returning from a three-year retirement period. The favourite is Contador because he has progressed hugely in the time trial and is the best in the mountain".
Another problem is the start of the Tour in the Netherlands which will be "very complicated with the narrow roads, the roundabouts, the cobblestones, and the usual tension of the first week. There will certainly be falls, and some among the favourites may lose their chances to win or will come out of it weakened".
During the Tour of California, US rider Floyd Landis made some statements concerning
transfusions by Armstrong and other US Postal teammates in 2004. Chechu Rubiera argues that "the US press confronted Armstrong, myself, and others who were teammates at that time, with these accusations. One must know how to interpret what Landis says because Floyd is a person with a lot of problems and little credibility. He raised money from some of his fellow Americans to pay for his defense, and now he says he is guilty. He is undoubtedly a liar, then or now".
The Gijón rider repeats "it’s not possible to believe a person like Landis. Before talking he should have proof of what he says. It hurts us all at the time because it’s the image of all of us that deteriorates, but we are also reassured because we know the guy. I think that in a few days everything will be back to normal".
Before rerturning to Asturias, Chechu made a stop in BarLata in the San Francisco Bay, to participate in a ride for the Livestrong Cancer Foundation. Rubiera says that they "sponsor a team of veterans one of whom suffers from cancer, and we did it to help him".
Versus interview with Chechu
In the countdown to the start of the biggest US cycle race, Versus released their January interview with Chechu. He talks about another season and this year's Tour of California.
Go to Versus
28 April 2010
Roadcycling.com talks to Chechu about his nutritional secrets.
"This is my 16th year, and when I started we used to have pieces of cake or apples and bananas during the races ... We do still have cake sometimes, but I haven't had a piece of apple for maybe eight years now. Many of the guys eat bananas because of the potassium, but because you have to go back to the car, it's not a good idea in races, because it costs you time and effort to get one, unpeel it and eat it."
Go to Roadcycling.com
Photographs for this feature were taken by Christine Kahane for ChechuRubiera.info. You can see the full set from Castilla y León on Facebook.
26 March 2010
New signage on Cotobello cima Chechu Rubiera
Photograph © JE Cima
Ir a esciclismo.com
21 March 2010
The Principality teaches Chechu how to fish
The cyclist encourages fishing without killing, together with vice-councillor Belén Fernández
Rider Chechu Rubiera throws his rod in the Esva river on the opening day of the fishing season.
By Ana M. SERRANO - La Nueva España
Asturian rider Chechu Rubiera holding a fishing rod in the Esva river. This was the image that the Principality wished to broadcast in order to promote the "fishing without killing" system, hardly practiced yet in Asturias, which the Council for Environment is promoting in order to render feasible the recovery of salmon in Asturian rivers.
For his debut in the fishing sports world, the athlete was accompanied by vice-concillor for the Environment, Belén Fernadez, who defended in a fiery way the new salmon norm and, specially, the "fishing without killing" practice, a mode which at the beginning of the season reactivated criticism among fishermen.
Fernandez said that the norm is supported by technical data, recalled that the salmon "is a natural resource of all" and before the watchful eyes of the fishermen gathered on the Piedra Blanca de Valdés fishing reserve explained that the new norm "might be more generous in the future if the species recover". In any case, she added that it’s not possible to put it into practice from one day to the other. "It’s a different norm, well-balanced, committed to the recovery of the species, which tries to ensure the enjoyment of all fishermen."
The new law allows salmon fishing with killing only from May until July, and not from the beginning of the season as was the norm until now.
21 March 2010
The Contador – Armstrong Duel
Their right-hand men, Benjamín Noval and Chechu Rubiera, analyze the upcoming confrontation in the Tour
The Asturians agree that "Alberto is the strongest in the mountains” and warn of the “danger of Lance on the pavé"
By J.E. CIMA – La Nueva España
Pola de Siero - Everybody who likes cycling is anxiously awaiting the Tour de France duel between Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong. This is because the Madrileño is the best climber in the world and the great favorite, but the Texan, even though not quite what he used to be, will be looking to make a mess at the departure in Holland and Belgium in order to try to catch the Madrileño in a wind and pavé trap.
One such person is Chechu Rubiera (Gijón, 37, professional for 16 years) with RadioShack and the other is Benjamín Noval (Mieres, 31, professional for 10 years) with Contador's Astana team. Both riders are analyzing next July’s confrontation for La Nueva España. Also helping Alberto in the mountains is Dani Navarro of Gijón.
The beginning of the season was very different. Noval explains that Contador "was wanting to win a big race like Paris-Nice and he did it. What’s more, also checking the strength of the team which was criticized by outsiders as not being able to keep him well-protected in France. We all gained confidence because he won in the Algarve, others were doing it in the Monte Eroica classic or Tirreno-Adriatico, and I’m sure that in July it will work even better."
Rubiera says of Armstrong that "in Murcia he wasn"t great, but because things are calmer for him and he also has a lot of commitments to his cancer foundation. But there are five months left and I’m sure he’ll arrive in good shape."
With respect to the Tour's parcours, Noval argues that "it has more mountains in the Alps and the Pyrenees and there"s no team time trial and only one individual time trial. So that benefits a climber, and Alberto is the best. The problem will be the first week leaving from Holland and with pavé, where the Tour is not won but could possibly be lost due to nerves, wind or a crash. There Armstrong has an advantage."
Rubiera comments that "the Tour is always hard due to the mountains and due the infernal pace that the riders set when they"re arriving at one hundred percent. In theory, not having a team time trial hurts Armstrong."
About the favorite, both agree on Contador. Noval says that "Alberto has, after all, won his last two Tours and because he"s the best at climbing. But there are also other rivals, like the Schleck brothers, Kreuziger, Nibali and Armstrong, together with his teammates Klöden and Leipheimer". Rubiera assures that "Contador is the best right now in stage races, but then there are race circumstances or strategies for winning without the strongest man, and my teammates have an advantage there".
The rivalry between the two champions has sparked a great deal of controversy and reams of comment. Rubiera manifests that "fortunately they’re not together and things are calmer on the teams, not the tension of last year. What the fans are waiting for now is the spectacular sport of seeing them face to face in the Tour. Now that Contador has switched races, they’ll meet at the Criterium International, but there won"t be that confrontation". Noval points out that "the summer duel sells a lot of papers. Contador already commented that he has no relationship with Lance, but now they do have mutual respect because they’re two great champions".
There are different perspectives on one star's ability to control the other. Noval says that "age is fundamental in cycling and Lance is getting up there (almost 39) and Alberto is young (27) and still improving. In the mountains is where Contador has a great advantage because he’s the best in the world and nobody can follow him. Armstrong has difficulty getting near him and, not only that, in the time trial he wasn't so strong last year. Quite a bit of improvement is needed by Lance and that's complicated, but with the American you can expect anything".
When asked how the other champion could overcome his boss, Noval fears "race strategy, because they have a great team and very experienced people, including Lance himself, for days on the pavé with the help of Rosseler, Steegmans or Rast when people are tense on dangerous roads. He also has lieutenants like Klöden and Leipheimer, able to win a Tour with an escape, but if Armstrong arrives in good shape it will be difficult for them to be given the freedom".
Chechu Rubiera is certain that "Contador is stronger in the mountains, he already proved it in the last Tour and, even though Lance was too, in his day, it will be difficult to follow him on the climbs. But Armstrong’s great virtue is his winning mentality which he forged by much work and great victories. If Lance arrives at the beginning convinced that he can win the Tour, he will be dangerous and Contador's going to have a very hard first week in the wind and on the pavé of the first stages due to the Dutch and Belgian roads".
9 March 2010
Rubiera is pleased with his performance in Murcia and will take part in the Tour of Basque Country
elcomerciodigital.com reports Chechu Rubiera, the veteran of the Asturian peloton, will change his initial race calendar. His director Johan Bruyneel told him he would take part in the Tour of Basque Country instead of the Circuit de la Sarthe as initially planned.
In this race, he will meet up with Asturians Samuel Sanchez, Luis Pasamontes, Dani Navarro and Benjamín Noval who are competing this week in the Paris-Nice multi-stage race.
The Gijón rider, who started his cycling season in Murcia together with the newcomer Higinio Fernandez, is happy "because we were at a good level, although Armstrong is still short of form, but his goal is the Tour in July".
28 February 2010
On the veteran’s wheel
Chechu Rubiera, the Asturian peloton’s veteran, and the novice Higinio Fernandez start the season in Murcia
Experience and youth. The most senior of the eleven Asturian riders in the peloton and the newcomer. One, 37 years old, the other, 21. In 2010, Chechu Rubiera will set a new Asturian record for seasons spent within the internationl peloton, which until now was held by Vicente López Carril with 15 (seasons).
Chechu and Higinio Fernandez are similar in various ways. Both started their careers with the best riders at 22, although the cyclist from Valdés will be a few months younger. Both took part in the Tour de l’Avenir before making the leap to the professionals, after getting excellent results in their last race in the amateur ranks.
Photograph © P. Ucha, elcomerciodigital.com
And the Radio Shack rider, like the Caja Rural one, will start this Wednesday in the Vuelta a Murcia.
El Comercio met both cyclists in Las Mestas, a place that evokes a lot of memories since it’s where they took part in many races when they began competing in less important categories. Chechu recommends "be patient during your first year. It’s when you should start learning what’s happening within the peloton", while the Valdés rider answers "I would like to have your experience with the professionals as well as your record".
The Gijón rider admits that "in my first years with Artiach, I had a hard time finishing the stages because, in those years, the peloton was riding at a high speed and one could not even see the winning sprinter raise his arms". In this respect, the rider from Canero (Valdés) laughs and admits "I still have a lot to do in order to see the leaders, but I prepare myself and get ready mentally for it".
The Gijón rider flatters the youngest Asturian, "You are in a good condition, and you showed it last year with your various victories in the most important amateur races, on top of participating in the Tour de l’Avenir and in the Junior World championship. This shows you have a good level".
Higinio, who carries a passion for the bike in his blood since his father competed in the now defunct amateur category, also got hooked on this gruelling sport "because of riders like Samu or Chechu, who are (good) examples as cyclists and people." He adds, "They and other Asturians are good role models to all us young riders. There are many of us - even more than the Basques who always used to be more numerous than us".
Despite their 15 years difference, Rubiera and Higinio will start the season in Murcia in only three days with lots of hope. And it’s not for nothing. Chechu has his mind turned towards the Vuelta a España where he will be able to take his leave in the stage which departs from his native Gijón and finishes on top of the summit which bears his name: "It will be very moving to say goodbye at home. It motivates me very much, and for this I hope to ride well in order to be in the best of condition next September".
For his part, the promising Valdés rider is conscious that in a few days he will be next to the world's best cyclists and confesses, "I still cannot believe it, but here I am. To have a champion like Armstrong or Menchov beside me is the greatest thing for me".
Higinio is part of the Spanish under-23 team, with which he will compete this year in the Nations Cup, adding to his 2009 participation in some of the most important international meetings.
Ir a elcomerciodigital.com
23 February 2010
The other triumph of Rubiera
The Gijón rider inspected the Coto Bello climb which will bear his name as a stage climax of the next Vuelta a España
Photograph © JE Cima, La Nueva España
Next Wednesday, Chechu Rubiera (Gijón, 1973) will commence his 16th season as a professional in the Vuelta a Murcia, which has made him a highly respected member of the peloton as well as outside the racing context.
From the help he gave to Lance Armstrong in five out of his seven Tour de France victories, to his personal victories in Giro stages (1998 and 2000), the Vuelta al Alentejo (1999 and 2000), the Naranco Climb (1998 and 2000), the Tour of Lake Quinghai in China (2007) or the Vuelta a Murcia (2008), Rubiera, 37, now achieves another special triumph: with the Coto Bello stage finish on September 13 in the next Vuelta a España, he is the first active cyclist who will have a summit bearing his name: the “Chechu Rubiera” peak.
LA NUEVA ESPAÑA accompanied Rubiera at midday last Tuesday to inspect the final part of this Vuelta queen stage, along the 10.3 kilometers of the final climb, with a slope close to 8,5%, and a 17% maximum grade.
The Gijón rider, with his new red-and-black Radio Shack jersey, led by Armstrong, made the ascent with a mix of agility and strength. In the end, when there were only 1,250 meters left to the summit (at an altitude of 1,195 meters) he had to stop because of the snow and the ice which prevented him from riding his bike anymore without running the risk of falling and injuring himself.
Photograph © JE Cima, La Nueva España
On this Aller mountain, that once was an opencast mine, Rubiera recognises that, "it’s a beautiful climb for cyclists and fans, because it’s hard and there is no respite. Also, it’s long, not the usual 20-minute Asturian ascent, except when it gets to the Meseta. I think it's a good test, similar to a good Tour or Giro summit final. I would compare it to the Alpe d’Huez difficulty (13 kilometers with 8.19%). The difference between that one or the Tourmalet, although of a similar gradient, is that they reach a higher altitude, and above 1,800 meters one lacks oxygen".
What the Gijón native states, with his usual modesty and sincerity, about the idea of giving his name to Coto Bello is that "it’s a matter that goes beyond me, because I am the only rider still in acitivity to be dedicated a summit, and there is an abyss between me and other champions like Coppi or Fuente who got one. This happened because of my friendship with the Aller cyclotourists. It’s a matter of pride and great joy for me".
On the other hand, talking about the stage between his native Gijón and the Coto Bello summit (179 kilometers), Chechu comments: "It will be the queen stage because, before the climax, the peloton will have to climb Cabruñana, San Lorenzo and Cobertoria, and the riders will arrive there exhausted. It’s a summit that will motivate the top class climbers, because they know that’s where they will be able to score important differences in the GC."
Ir a La Nueva España
12 January 2010
Chechu talks to Velonation about life as a veteran in the peloton in 2010.
On the bike sometimes you don't have a brain, you just have legs and power, and if the power is gone in a few k's, the rest of the stage can be a nightmare.
Go to Velonation
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