Tech and Training
An Interview with Jamis/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team Director Sportif Sebastian Alexandre
(From Champion System Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 3, January 2011)
Tell us about your background in cycling.
I come from a family of competitive cyclists. My grandfather started racing in 1928, then my father followed his passion, and my brother and I did too. All together, our family has been racing for three generations, over 80+ years.
I was basically a track rider and won 9 national championships in my country, Argentina. I also participated in track World and Pan American championships. Then I decided to take a chance and became a road rider in the US racing for Colavita several years. I ended my cycling career with Rite Aid in 2007 when Colavita management trusted my abilities to take over the team. I continued with the team when Jamis Bikes took over as title sponsor in 2010 and we had one of our best seasons ever.
The 2011 Jamis-Sutter Home Team looks to be the strongest team you have ever put together. Tell us more about the riders you have added.
The 2010 season was a development year for many of the riders on our squad. Most have returned for 2011 so we've actually only signed a few new riders and I'm very excited about their prospects. Eric Schildge and Brad Gehrig are two young American riders who are very talented. And Fernando Antogna is a star in Argentina who brings a lot of experience to the squad. Put these guys together with the powerful Luis Amaran and Alejandro Borrajo and I have no doubt that we'll be at the top of the NRC again this season.
What are the goals for the team?
Our #1 goal is to participate in the Amgen Tour of California. Jamis/Sutter Home is a very strong team and Luis Amaran, in particular, has a very good chance to win a stage.
The team will be starting the season at the end of this month with the Vuelta de Chile. Why did you choose this race to start the season?
Since many of us on the Jamis/Sutter Home squad are Latin, we always have several invitations to race in South America. Plus, it's very cold in the Northern Hemisphere in January so it's good to bring the guys south to some warm weather and hard competition.
If you could win one big race this year which race would it be?
Philadelphia International Championship. We are always close. Why not this time?!
###
