PALMA DE MAIORCA (Spain) – You turn one way and it passes by you Remco Evenepoel. You look from another and see Primoz Roglic and behind you there is Jai Hindley. The next day you know you will have to meet Mads Pedersen e Jonathan Milan and the one after that Tadej Pogacar ed Elisa Longo Borghini. All champions with a “C” this big. But then there are also them, the wingmen, like Jan Tratnik.
And if those champions are such, the credit, a large portion of the credit, belongs to them too. Tratnik is a disarmingly nice guy. Smiling, sunny. He also understands a little Italian and even tries to speak it. We’ll tell you this.
The guys from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe were about to leave and Giulio Pellizzari was also supposed to get on the minibus that would take them back to the hotel, compared to the place where we were doing the interviews. Giulio didn’t arrive. Then Jan says to him: «Cciulio andamo and», a mix of Italian and Roman dialect that who knows where it comes from, simply fantastic.
Roglic, Remco, Lipowitz, Pellizzari… but how many leaders do you have to help this year, Jan?
Many. I think there will be many different captains in many different races. I will be available to all leaders and hope to be able to help them. I don’t know my season’s program in detail yet, but it will be a mix of classics, stage races and a Grand Tour. Definitely, unfortunately, not the Giro d’Italia. Then we’ll see if I go to the Tour de France or the Vuelta.
However, there is a captain who, more than others, is your captain, but also a friend: Primoz Roglic. How does working with him work?
In the end the work is the same that I do with everyone. Roglic, Pellizzari, Lipowitz… it’s clear that there is work, but also friendship, and this feeling with Primoz it is greater. But that doesn’t mean my commitment is greater to him. No, I’m a professional cyclist and I give my all for everyone equally.
And are there any technical differences? For example, are there those who like to be more in front, those who want to be more covered or left alone?
This is something that falls heavily on me. I’m the one in control. For example, it happens that Pellizzari is sometimes too far behind and so I go to him and tell him to move further forward. All of this is also my responsibility. I explain to him what will happen, that it is important not to stay behind when they suddenly accelerate. Primoz is much more experienced than Giulio and maybe with him too we try to teach the kids so they don’t make mistakes. But in general everyone wants to stay in front and race calmly. Technically there are no big differences.
Who feels the most pressure?
You should ask the captains! Personally I don’t feel any pressure. I just need to know that I’m best prepared, that I’m fine. If I train correctly, then I know I can do my job at my best.
What do you think of Evenepoel? What impression did it make on you in these first days?
I really didn’t know it was coming. I heard the rumours, but it’s a long way from there to actually seeing it arrive. This was great news for me. Remco is a fighter and is definitely a great champion. An incredible timer. For me he is very strong even in one-day races. And he has already won a Grand Tour. It will be a good thing to have him on the team. In many races he has been a great opponent, now he is with us and we can win even more.
It is always said that great victories also come thanks to great team members: what is the best victory of one of your captains, the one that you feel is most yours?
I really liked the last Volta a Catalunya, when Primoz won. There was a beautiful atmosphere. We found ourselves on the same team, I came from Visma – Lease a Bike, and it was in fact the first race in which Roglic really aimed to do well since I was also in Red Bull. On the last day we did exactly everything we planned. And when things go like this you are satisfied, you know you have done your job well. But there is also another moment that I remember with great pleasure.
Which?
When Tadej Pogacar won the world championship in Zurich. Winning with your national team shirt means a lot. We had a very intense and courageous course.
And the strangest thing that happened to you in your life as a wingman?
Good question. When I won the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. I was gregarious and I won: stranger than that. That day I was working for Van Aert and Laporte, they made me snap and then it happened as it happened.
Do you like Italy?
Yes, it is a beautiful country, with delicious food. I like them all a bit, especially the pasta carbonara. And also the cacio e pepe.
Tratnik’s friendliness and Italian emerge once again. “Cacio e pepe” says it very well. Then we explain to him that it’s a shame he won’t be at the Giro. With the ending in Rome he could have tasted this typical dish… and more. We also tell him that he must try the gricia. At that point his gaze becomes interested. He’s the one who asks us questions: the origin of the dish, the ingredients… he certainly won’t let it slip away.
Pasta aside, the Slovenian trained hard during the days in Palma, but as always with a smile. Many times the role of a wingman is also that: make the captain laugh, give him serenity. And the other Red Bull riders also told us that Jan is a number one
