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Joe Dombrowski says he could be ready to step up as a basic classification rider within the wake of Miguel Ángel López’s departure from Astana-Qazaqstan, yet he’d like to stay focused on phases.
López was once sacked via Astana closing week because of possible hyperlinks to a Spanish police investigation into drug trafficking and cash laundering. The Colombian has strenuously denied any wrongdoing yet his sacking has left Astana with one much less GC rider, having already misplaced any other to retirement.
Dombrowski has prior to now tackled a grand excursion with GC intentions and completed twelfth on the 2019 Giro d’Italia. With WorldTour issues at stake, a powerful classification consequence will also be very treasured to a group, and Astana can have to reconsider its technique for 2023.
“If that’s what the group sought after, then I’d be indubitably satisfied to take a look at. I suppose it’s additionally simply, can I end at the podium? I don’t assume so. Perhaps somebody thinks I will, yet I believe more than likely the solution isn’t,” Dombrowski instructed VeloNews. “Even supposing you’re most sensible 10, I suppose it’s that complete weighing when you assume it’s higher to be 9th to total at the GC or to win a degree a mountain degree?
“I would favor to win a degree. But when the group provides me an function, whether or not that’s to lend a hand a GC rider, to win a degree, or to even attempt to do GC myself, I’m satisfied to do any of the ones issues and do it the most efficient I will. However when you inquire from me what’s maximum impactful? I believe the general public would say that profitable a large mountain degree in a grand excursion is extra impactful than completing tenth on GC. Clearly, it’s nuanced. While you’re 21 years outdated, when you end most sensible 10 it’s value a large contract in order that more than likely is smart. However whilst you’re 30 years outdated it has much less price.”
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Just like closing 12 months, Dombrowski’s primary goals take a seat previous within the 12 months with a go back to the Giro d’Italia in Would possibly at the playing cards. It is going to be his 8th look on the Italian grand excursion.
After a season the place he felt as despite the fact that the consequences didn’t replicate his shape, he’s hoping to get off to a powerful get started. In 2022, he was once pulled in on the closing second to journey his debut Excursion de France, yet that’s not at the playing cards but.
“After this camp, I’ll do any other coaching camp and Teide at altitude. I’ll get started the season at Ruta del Sol, then Gran Camiño, Catalunya, again to Teide for altitude, Excursion of the Alps, after which the Giro d’Italia, after which after that, I don’t know,” he stated. “That’s roughly what the primary a part of the season will seem like. I’d say the Giro was once roughly the target, but when I will display neatly already in February or March at one of the vital different races on my calendar that may well be excellent too.”
López leaving
The low season was once thrown into turmoil closing week when Astana sacked its most sensible rider, Miguel Ángel López, for his possible connections with a Spanish police investigation into drug trafficking and cash laundering.
López was once suspended via the group previous within the 12 months following studies about his hyperlink to the investigation, yet he was once due to this fact reinstated because of a loss of proof. Final week, the group stated new details about the imaginable hyperlink had come to gentle, despite the fact that López has categorically denied the allegations.
The Colombian were together with his group in Altea getting ready for the brand new season when the scoop dropped and he swiftly left.
“I don’t have an excessive amount of to mention, as a result of I don’t actually know anything else past what I’ve learn within the media. He was once right here on the camp, after which he simply left. We weren’t actually instructed anything else,” Dombrowski stated. “I handiest know what I noticed from the remark from the group after which I had learn a few of these different studies, which appear to be this present day relatively speculative, yet you’ll be able to’t actually say if we don’t know.
“It’s clearly now not what someone needs. I used to be occupied with it within the context of ways does it impact the group and me? Final 12 months, on the Giro, we had two GC leaders. Now, neither of the ones guys is at the group. So, how does that fluctuate issues?
It’s reasonably unclear how López’s departure will have an effect on issues for Dombrowski and the group as a complete. Mark Cavendish is rumored to be becoming a member of the group for 2023 and has reportedly met with the squad in Altea.
If the Manxman does sign up for the group subsequent season, it will ease the drive on riders like Dombrowski because the squad seems to be to higher its UCI issues haul in 2023. With the Giro d’Italia on his program for subsequent 12 months, the American is not going to race a grand excursion with Cavendish or, certainly, GC chief Alexey Lutsenko.
“I don’t assume that we’ve got a GC rider for the Giro. So, for me, that more than likely leaves extra alternatives to roughly chase phases,” he instructed VeloNews. “On the similar time, I suppose what I noticed within the Giro this 12 months is you’ve gotten alternatives when there’s now not a GC rider, and you’ll be able to chase phases when you’re a climber like me. However however, as an example, with Nibali within the Giro, it’s additionally a chance within the sense that perhaps you’ll be able to’t cross within the breakaway, but when you’ll be able to stick with him, till the closing climb, and it’s a bunch of handiest 10 riders left, you’ll be able to be there with a bottle or gel or no matter. That’s additionally treasured. In some way, I nearly like to have a GC rider, and once in a while you’ll be able to roughly fill either one of the ones roles.”
Contract 12 months
Within the background of Dombrowski’s goals this 12 months is the truth that he’s going to be out of contract with Astana on the finish of the season. He joined originally of 2022 after two years with UAE Workforce Emirates and a five-year stint with EF Schooling.
There’s some drive to accomplish if he hopes to protected any other contract, whether or not it’s at Astana or in different places, yet he doesn’t see it as anything else greater than the standard stresses and lines of a biking season.
“I don’t assume there’s ever now not drive, or I’d just say, when you don’t really feel some drive, then you definately’re more than likely now not in the best position,” Dombrowski stated. “When you’ve got nice effects nearer to signing a freelance, it more than likely affects the contract greater than in the event that they occur the 12 months earlier than. However after all, you’ll be able to by no means roughly relaxation to your laurels.
“It is advisable cross crash and destroy your leg within the first race of the season subsequent 12 months and now what? Then you can assume neatly, a minimum of I had excellent effects closing 12 months, and folks would possibly nonetheless imagine. I don’t assume it’s productive to function in a continuing mode of top tension, yet I believe that there’s an excellent quantity of tension that acts as a stimulus. In the event you’re shaking it’s more than likely an excessive amount of tension yet when you’re too lackadaisical, then additionally you’re now not going to have the consequences.”
Dombrowski has loved his time with the Astana squad thus far, yet whether or not or now not he remains for any other contract may just rely on how the group develops forward of the 2024 season. The group may have numerous riders up for renewal on the finish of subsequent 12 months, opening the door for a significant overhaul, if the group needs it.
“I haven’t actually considered it an excessive amount of. In the event that they’re proud of me, and prefer, relying on how this subsequent season is going, and likewise how the group goes and what route they’re going, then doubtlessly, sure,” he stated when requested if he was hoping to stick put past subsequent 12 months.
“I’d say there are a wide variety of things that can perhaps tilt my determination a technique or any other. Additionally, Miguel is now out of the group, so I’ll have an interest to peer what route the group goals to head going ahead from this 12 months.”
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