Paris Nice Interview with VeloNews and Alexander Lens

Heya, would you mind answering a few questions regarding the stage win for the Velonews ipod updates?
Not at all!

Did you really think you could do it?
Well, when I looked back with a few yards to go, I saw big sprinters behind me. They where so fast, I doubt aboud my victory. But we won, and that is the most important.
Are you happy to also have the KOM jersey?

Reactions to congratulations from the team?
Just after I stoat on the podium, I recieved on message. My dear friend Il Cassano congratulated me with the victory. Also José Alvés told the press he is happy for me

Will we be seeing a lot more of you this season?
I hope so! My main aimes are the Amstel Gold Race, the Eneco tour, and the Giro, cause of my friend Il Cassano

Can you win the Paris-Nice?
Everything is still possible. Due to race tactics, I may not answer anything else.

José Alvés- The next spanish superstar?

How has your season been?
-Until now, my season has been wonderful! I won the KoM jersey in the Etoile the Besseges, and therefore Bob (our DS) let me be leader in the Tour Mediterénéen, which I lost with only one second (!) to Kiryenka. But I was very happy with this result, because I think a 2nd place in the GC is very good too! And I won the U25 rankings there! 


What's the team like?
-The team is really great, I don't see the other riders as teammates, but more like friends. But I would be very happy if there would come another Spanish rider in the team by the end of this season, maybe Bob can send a scout to Spain, so we can talk Spanish to annoy the rest of the team! 


What are your season goals?
-I would love to perform well in my home race, the Vuelta a Espana, and my training schedule will be based on it, so I'll be in top shape and maybe even can win a stage or the KoM rankings!


Who's your training partner?
-My training partner is Eric (Chen). Eric is a very nice Korean cyclist, and we are good friends. In the mountains, it's always close between us, that makes it fun to train with him. However, in the hills, he is a bit faster...


Enemies in the team?
-Enemies?! Of course not! We are a very close group, and we are not each others enemies. However, there is always some rivalry between Alexander (Lens) and me. Apart from the team, my rival is Vasil Kiryienka, who beated me by only 1 second in the Tour Mediterénéen. He is a nice guy, though.


Whats the DS like?
-Bob? I think he is the best DS we can wish. He is harsh when he needs to, but we can make lots of fun with him.


Intending to stay on next season?
-Well, I of course can't say much about that, that's up to Bob, but I really would like to stay. But Team Movistar and Andalucia are good options if Bob doesn't want me here anymore.

Alexander Il Cassano- Going places in a great new team

How you're settling in?Great, the team mates are very kind.
How the season's going?For the team it is going very good, and we take win after win. For myself, I think I still can do better.
Friends/Enemies in the team?My best freind is A. Lens from the Netherlands. He is my training mate, and we hope we can ride many races together. No enemies at all, the team mates are very nice.
Race Targets?My biggest targed should be the Giro. As I'm an Italian, also Il Lombardia stays high on the list.
Favourite Memory so far?
My best memory is my win in the Tour de Mediterenéen in the first stage. I started with 20 seconds ahead of the bunch and outsprinted Bonnet.

The next update wil be from Timo Bern. See you