ProTeam Staff Stories - Tony Gallopin: "I know what the riders feel, it's an advantage to take decisions sometimes."

"My first races were intense. The stress, the good moments, but also crashes. I had a lot of adventures already, there was always something; canceled races with the farmer protests, difficult weather circumstances. The start wasn't the easiest maybe, but it was for sure interesting."

"Being a sports director is completely different of course from being a rider. I learned a lot about the logistics and preparation for a race. These are things you don't really think about when you are a rider. As a rider you only think about your own things, as a director you need to think about everything and everyone. I really like the job, you are busy from the morning until the evening. The days pass by really fast. There aren't real difficulties about the job, but what really surprised me is the work you need to put into all the preparation for a race."

"I am now in Paris-Nice, as a rider racing here was already special. But the first days the stages were held on my home routes, and it's even more special as a sports director as you see the things differently. When I was a rider I wasn't that afraid, you are in the bunch and you're focused on that but now I see a lot of things from a different perspective and you see the dangers also more."

"It's quite funny as most of the sports directors I have as a colleague now were my sports director in the past. Mario, Marc and Kurt were my sports directors when I was riding for the team. I knew Dirk from my time at RadioShack and I rode together with Nikolas for one year. They really give me a lot of tips and they gave me a warm welcome. I was a rider here in the team for four years, some soigneurs that are still here gave me massages. It's special to be back. Since I have stopped racing last year in Paris-Tours I didn't bike anymore, I don't miss it."

"I knew a lot of riders already from in the bunch, but of course it's different to lead them. You need to find a good communication and balance. It's an advantage that I was a rider myself, as I know what they feel. Everyone has a different character, but as I know what they are feeling I think it's maybe sometimes easier to take decisions. I am here to discover, the team works really well and has a lot of experience. Of course when you are in the race car and you win, the emotions are so strong, but also seeing the evolution of a rider or being there in difficult moments is special."

Pictures: Brecht Steenhouwer & PhotoNews