Interview with Manuel Beltran

In 2003, you were riding with the troubled Team Coast. Were you surprised to be contacted by USPS to join their team? How did that happen?

In 2003 I was on German team, Team Coast that had financial troubles and the team broke up. So when USPS called and asked me to come join their team. I was happy to have the opportunity to work and ride with Lance. I was interested in being on the team with Lance. I had the desire to win the Tour with Lance and to work with my teammates ( the other Spanish riders).

How long have you known Johan Bruyneel?

I met Johan in 1995 when he was still racing with Once. I remember meeting him because he was friendly. And had a nice face and a nice presence and friendly disposition. After Coast broke up, Johan called me. He remembered me and asked me to come to his team. I was happy to do that.

Between the Tour de France and the Vuelta, which race do you most want to ride in?

The one that means the most is the Tour because it’s the best in the world. Vuelta is important because it’s in my country. They are both very important and beautiful to ride for the experience. Right now I more look forward to the Vuelta because I understand it and I feel most comfortable with that race.

Which race would you most like to win in your career?

I guess I would want to win the race that is superior, the Tour de France. Of course I desire to win the Tour. You can think about it and think about it but it never happens. You never get close. It would be a beautiful thing to win the Vuelta. I’d like to have the opportunity to win a tour like the Vuelta. And on the other hand, you can have a schedule that helps you win the Vuelta.

Describe your win with Roberto Heras in the 2003 Vuelta.

Well I was very happy. It was a very big surprise for all of us there. I remember that day when he went for the win on the last stage of the Vuelta. I remember Johan kept saying “He’s going to win!” I remember this perfectly. It must have happened in a moment, but it took a long time for it to play out for me. Everyone kept saying, “Roberto you can win, you’re going to win!” And Roberto didn’t believe he was. When he passed the finish line I think everyone from USPS was there and it was a big surprise. Everybody was really happy.

You’ve ridden with both Lance Armstrong and Jan Ulrich. What was it like riding with these two champions?

I was very happy to work with these kinds of champions and I feel very content to be able to ride with this level of competition. I also feel I am riding in a time of historical significance. I have been able to ride day after day with champions and to be able to see their work. I’ve also worked for a man who is a very significant champion, Lance. For me a champion is more about what a person is like on the inside. In 2003 I was nervous because I was with Team Coast one year and then Jan joined the team. He was counting on me to ride for him in the mountains. I felt a lot of pressure to help him win in the mountains. It took extra preparation to be able to race the Tour de France with him. But then the team broke up that destroyed the plan. On the other hand, I had the opportunity to exchange one great champion for another, and now I ride for Lance Armstrong. And in the last Tour de France we won. All that work paid off when I rode with Lance.

Of all the professional cyclists you’ve been associated with, who has impressed you the most? Why?

Being a part of all these races you are surrounded by great champions. You can say that I’ve been able to take away something from every champion I’ve been around.

How did you get the nickname, Triki?

I used to take cookies to races and teammates called me the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, which in Spanish is “Triki”. You know, the guy who is always eating cookies. Because I always had a box of cookies in my suitcase. And one day one of my guys said “I’m going to call you Triki because you always have cookies!” so from that day on I was not Manuel, or Beltran, they just call me Triki. It’s a friendly name, don’t you think?