Thor Hushovd: “París Roubaix is my main goal”

By @pmpalermo

A few hours of the start of the biggest race of South America we had the opportunity to speak with Thor Hushovd, one of the greatest figures presented by the argentinian competition this year.
Hushovd, who spent the 2012 anonymous due to an infectious disease, he was confident that his recovery is complete and has between eyebrows win the Paris Roubaix.

The portentous Norwegian says he is happy and pleasantly surprised with Argentina in their first time in these parts so do not rule out returning next year in search of good weather and landscapes that San Luis offers cyclists to train away from the cold European winter .

How do you feel in this comeback season?are you fully recovered from the disease?

I feel good because i made a good winter work after that long break i had to take and i think i´ll come back in a quite good level. I´m fully recovered because i´ve done everything i had to and it should be perfect.

Why are you stating in San Luis?wich objectives do you have in here?

I´m starting earlier this season to regain the race rythim. To be honest i ´m not sure if i can win. I think i need a couple of days to see how´s my condition after the long time since i haven´t raced for so long and it´s the first time it happens to me. I hope i can find a good legs and to win a stage.

So if you have a great 2013 you´re not coming back to San Luis because is to early into season for you..

No. I think it´s nice to race also in the beginning of the season and go away from Europe. Now there is too cold here we got nice roads to train and an excellent weather.

So it´s your first time in South America…what do you think about it?

I think it´s nice and the weather i great.If you need mountains to train there you have it and i have a good impression so far.

Wich differences can you see between Tour Down Under and Tour de San Luis regarding to the organization?

I can´t tell you exactly by now since we haven´t started to race. Down Under it´s important race, there´s lot of pressure there and we don´t have that much pressure here because it´s not a World Tour race.

Is it better fo you that there are not points to win or lose in here?

When you don´t have points there is less pressure and is better for me in my actual situation because i´m coming back so is good that there is no points to win or lose.

Who´s your favourite to win Tour de San Luis?

I haven´t seen the whole list but i think Alberto Contador if he´s in a good condition in the mountains and of course in time trial. Of course Tejay Van Garderen because the team is here for him. Van Garderen is in a good condition an he could be with the best in the climbs.

Do you know you´re 2013 calendar?

Only untill Paris Roubaix, because know we´re focused in first half of the season. So that´s my first goal of the season and then will see if i go to the Tour de France.I´ve got lots of goals but Roubiax is the main one.

You´re going to have troubles with Gilbert in Tour de France looking for the same goals…

No, i think we should be ok. It´s a long way before Tour de France and i don´t know if we´re both going todo Tour de France and we´re good friends and if we´re there togheter we´re going to help each other.

Wich other objectives do you have?winning Roubaix is not easy…

Doing a good Tour de France for the team and for myself. And i wanna win one of the one day races of the last part of the year.

What about the Worlds?

Yes, i thing i´ll do the Worlds. It´s a hard course this year but you never know. It´s a one day race and everything could happen.

What about Tour of California?is a important race for BMC..

Yes it is but at the moment i don´t know if i´m gonna do it. Know i have to do the itinerary till Roubaix and then will see.

Pablo Martín Palermo