Sandra Alonzo: "Women’s cycling has grown exponentially and I see no limit"

The season started in Valencia and has been less, with the amazing month of June, what is your balance so far?

The truth is I think it’s for fun. I think I made a leap in quality as a cyclist this season. I have grown up. It helped me to have a fully international calendar, as it was the first time I had one. I was able to compete in the best race in the world. It may be a bit overwhelming at one point, but this step and change of approach is important.

A change of strategy after his arrival in the Ceratizit team after going through Bizkaia Durango. Perhaps this change could have happened earlier?

No, I don’t think so. I have taken the right steps. My time in Bizkaia Durango was just and necessary to grow, to develop as a runner in the international peloton. I’m following the required hours and I’m growing a lot, and I hope to continue this for years to come.

What are your goals this year?

This season everything is new for me, my team, the calendar. I came into the team with a little bit of respect, because it was a good team and had good riders, and I went to see what my role could be. I think I have earned the respect of the team. I’ve done some good races and I’m slowly adapting to the new category and the way the team works. I followed what they asked me and the result came out.

What differences did you see when you arrived?

At first I was a little scared, but I have to say that they welcomed me very well. I was surprised how organized they were. Whether we like it or not, the Spanish organization is quite different from the German one. By December I had planned my entire calendar through October and not a single comma was touched. So, for example, I came to Andorra to train and all this can be seen in the results.

Proof the team trusts it’s included in its build for the Tour.

I am very excited to compete in the Tour and very happy that the team got me. To be one of the chosen, to go, is already a prize. I will give the best I have. I don’t know what to expect from me and we go as we go. Let’s see what the team asks of me and see how far I can go. I think I’ll have a fighting chance.

He is from Torrevieja, but he made his professional debut in Bizkaia Durango.

I won the Spanish Cadet Championship and a Basque team contacted me to run in the juniors. They offered me to do the Basque calendar and it suits me, and they also rely on me for all the races. In my first year of Sub23 Bizkaia I was called, but I didn’t want to risk it, because I wanted a year of adaptation to the category, and I think it worked well.

And you came to Ceratizit, how did the signing take place?

It was last year, he contacted me already in March and in July we signed. I had a good season and I won a professional race (in Valencia). I had many offers from other strong teams, but the one from Ceratizit motivated me. Of his various offers, four were from foreign teams. I signed up for it because I thought where I would be more comfortable and at ease. I liked its structure. They gave me a good offer and gave me security and confidence.

The Women’s Tour is sponsored by the Zwift indoor cycling app, do you use it?

The truth is no. I’m too picky and I’ll die there (laughs). During quarantine I watched it, but not like pushing harder on the road than a tire. You do 30 minutes at full throttle on the roller and you end up with a lot of fatigue.

You’ve done track, cyclocross, mountain bike, road, what modality do you like the most?

I dedicate myself to the road, but I love them all. To me, cyclocross and mountain biking are like going to an amusement park. I’ve been training hard for four hours and I don’t know.

Can you make a living on a bicycle?

Yes, the truth is yes, I didn’t know that women’s cycling was charged like this. I made a very good jump. In the end, everyone has a reward, fighting and not giving up in the most difficult moments. Now everything is very good, but I also experienced difficult times where you learn too. In the end, it all adds up and it’s not just about economic well-being, but mental well-being as well.

How do you see women’s cycling evolving?

The change is very positive. I’m surprised now that I’ve entered this level. It’s not the World Tour, but it feels like it. I was surprised by the infrastructure that exists, the level of runners has grown so much. Everyone has grown and everyone is pushing to a higher level. Right now, I don’t see a limit to women’s cycling.

If it’s up to you, what will improve women’s cycling?

The change is remarkable and proof of this is the many cycling races that are broadcast live.

You combine your studies in Technical Architecture with your profession as a professional cyclist. Is it difficult for you to do both?

Look, in my team they only ask me. They don’t get involved in anything, they give me a race calendar and that’s it. The fact that I studied is not an obstacle, although since I started my degree I have always prioritized cycling, although I know that there may be families who do not see it that way. I always put the bike first and I study. I live by bicycle and I don’t know how long it will be like this. I’ve done more than half the race, if I’m serious I’ll finish it in a year. I’m not in a hurry and I’m going to start taking subjects.

What is your cycling dream?

To be one of the best in the world. My dream is to go into races and other teams say, ‘watch out for Sandra Alonso’.

Do you notice that you gain the respect of the platoon?

I think. I have noticed that in previous races there are more runners watching me and this is the goal I want to pursue. When I go to races, I do so with the certainty that I will actually race. This is my goal.

And after the Tour he will do the double in the Vuelta.

I love the Vuelta, we are also sponsors of the race -the commercial house Ceratizit-. We are running at home in a beautiful setting like the streets of our country with all the people engaged, what more can you ask for.